Online Seminar on Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)

The Seminar highlighted the urgent need to complement emissions reductions with CDR strategies to meet global net-zero targets and the Paris Agreement goals. The session included expert presentations and a panel discussion on global approaches, land-based methods, Japan’s role, and the challenges of measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV).
Dr. Oliver Geden (SWP, Germany) emphasized that both conventional methods (e.g., afforestation, wetland restoration) and emerging technologies (e.g., direct air capture, ocean-based solutions) are essential, though current investments focus mainly on voluntary markets. He stressed the importance of creating robust MRV frameworks to ensure credibility and scalability. Dr. Tomoko Hasegawa (Ritsumeikan University) discussed the potential and limitations of land-based CDR such as BECCS and afforestation, highlighting trade-offs with food security and biodiversity and advocating for integrated sustainability strategies.
Prof. Masahiro Sugiyama outlined Japan’s CDR strategy, including the need to remove approximately 100 Mt CO₂ annually by 2050, and Japan’s focus on research and development in areas like direct air capture and enhanced weathering. However, he noted underdeveloped market mechanisms and transparency issues in forest carbon accounting. Dr. Etsushi Kato (IAE) addressed Japan’s participation in the Mission Innovation CDR Initiative and underscored the country’s lag in developing standardized MRV methodologies, calling for stronger alignment of voluntary and compliance markets to ensure long-term integrity of CDR efforts.

[Q&A]
The panel discussion raised critical issues, including discrepancies in Japan’s forest sink accounting, the role of CDR in carbon pricing, and the need to separate emissions reduction from removal targets to avoid over-reliance on CDR. Experts debated whether CDR should focus exclusively on geological storage or adopt a diversified approach, with some advocating for long-term solutions and others emphasizing feasibility concerns.
The seminar concluded with a call for further research, policy development, and international collaboration to scale up CDR. Key priorities include defining sustainable deployment limits for land-based CDR, expanding compliance markets, and improving MRV frameworks for emerging technologies. Participants emphasized the necessity of a balanced approach to CDR that considers sustainability trade-offs, transparent accounting, and policy support to ensure effective and credible carbon removals.