In 2023, the first edition of “The State of Carbon Dioxide Removal” was published. This scientific study by the University of Oxford evaluates the methods, development, and global deployment of technologies and approaches for capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide. It served as our inspiration to launch the heliCO2farm project for atmospheric capture. A few weeks ago, the University of Oxford published the third edition of this study. It deserves to be recommended and supported because it has established itself as a rigorous and comprehensive global reference on the current state and future of CDR (Carbon Dioxide Removal).
The introductory chapter precisely clarifies what is meant by CDR and differentiates it from closely related concepts such as CCS (Carbon Capture Storage) and CCU (Carbon Capture Utilization), avoiding confusion in public and regulatory debates. By emphasizing that CDR involves capturing from the atmosphere and storing it durably, it sets an integrity standard that aligns with what a serious atmospheric capture company must defend, further underlining that CDR is complementary to, and never a substitute for, direct emissions reductions.
The report offers a very useful typology of methods, distinguishing between conventional approaches—forests, soils, ecosystems—and novel approaches, which include technologies such as direct air capture with geological storage (DACCS), biochar, or mineral products. This classification is accompanied by comparative information on costs, removal potentials, technological readiness levels, and storage timeframes, making it possible to position this technology within a diversified and highly relevant long-term landscape.
A key value of the document is the honesty with which it addresses uncertainty in costs and potentials, as well as the current vulnerabilities of the CDR system. The text describes the limitations of the empirical base, differences in system boundaries, and gaps in accounting methodologies, offering startups a roadmap to strengthen data, improve MRV, and diversify solutions. Similarly, it explains that storage durability and reversal risks are central: it is not enough to capture volume; it must be guaranteed that carbon remains out of the atmosphere on climate-relevant timescales, which supports the commitment to high-permanence geological and mineral reservoirs.
Furthermore, the report highlights the importance of climate justice and good governance, noting that CDR standards and markets can serve as vehicles for transferring finance and technology to the Global South if designed with robust safeguards. Publicly aligning with these principles and with a document that places them at the center of the international debate sends a clear signal of corporate responsibility. Finally, its journey through the entire CDR cycle—from R&D and demonstration to voluntary demand, policies, current levels, and Paris-compatible scenarios—makes it a strategic guide for any company wishing to make informed decisions and contribute to a diverse, transparent, and high-integrity carbon removal ecosystem.
heliCO2farm
We capture carbon dioxide inspired by nature
