Scaling Up Carbon Dioxide Removals In The EU

28th April 2025

EU scientific advisors are urging a rapid scale-up of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to help fight climate change. Both natural methods, like reforestation, and technological solutions will be essential, according to the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change.

CDR captures and stores CO₂, helping offset emissions from hard to decarbonise sectors like cement production. It will also be crucial for reaching net-negative emissions in the future, the board said.

The report highlights the need to restore natural carbon sinks in EU land areas, which have declined by about a third over the past decade. While plants offer temporary CO₂ storage, technologies like Direct Air Capture (DAC) can provide permanent storage in geological formations.

The board recommends binding targets for both short- and long-term removals, warning that CDR must complement (not replace) emission cuts. Caps on removals should prevent companies from using them as a loophole to delay reducing emissions.

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