How 10 Gt/year became climate policy’s default carbon removal target – and why one researcher says it’s wrong

Published 03:31 on July 17, 2026 / Last updated at 03:31 on July 17, 2026 / / Americas (LATAM & Caribbean, US & Canada), Asia Pacific (Asia, Pacific), CO2 Management (CCUS, Engineered Removals), EMEA (Africa, Europe, Middle East), Nature-based Carbon (Forestry, Other NbS), Voluntary (VCM Developments)

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A widely cited benchmark calling for around 10 billion tonnes of durable CO2 removal (CDR) annually by 2050 has become detached from the scientific evidence on which it is purportedly based, according to a new study that argues climate policy should place greater emphasis on emissions reductions and present CDR requirements alongside the mitigation pathways that generate them.
A widely cited benchmark calling for around 10 billion tonnes of durable CO2 removal (CDR) annually by 2050 has become detached from the scientific evidence on which it is purportedly based, according to a new study that argues climate policy should place greater emphasis on emissions reductions and present CDR requirements alongside the mitigation pathways that generate them.


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