Advisory report on Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)
On July 10 2024, the Netherlands Scientific Climate Council (WKR) published its second advisory report, 'Clearing the Air?'. In this advisory report, the WKR answers the question: What principles and policies can the Dutch government adopt to govern the development of carbon dioxide removal (CDR)?
Advisory report ‘Clearing the air?’
Immediate and active government intervention is needed to make carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere happen. Maximum commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions must remain paramount.
The Council states in its advisory report ‘Clearing the air? Advice on principles and policy for managing CDR from the atmosphere’ that the Dutch government should focus its CDR policy on permanent CDR. To achieve this, the government should start a procurement programme for permanent CDR in the Netherlands. In the meantime, the government should also stimulate European CDR-policy-making.
What is CDR?
CDR is the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere and its durable storage. This can be done temporarily, by sequestering CO2 in forests, soil or products. CO2 can also be stored permanently deep underground and in minerals.
Watch our mini lecture on CDR
Activate the English subtitles below the video by pressing the "CC" button.
In this video, we explain what Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) is, what role it plays in climate policy, what risks there are and what the government can do to make it possible.
The role of the government
The Council advises the Dutch government, in conjunction with European policies, to implement CDR policies. To this end, the Dutch government should start a government-led procurement programme for permanent CDR, in order to gain experience with various methods of CDR in the Netherlands before 2035.
The Netherlands should take the initiative to explore European policy instruments for creating demand for CDR together with other member states, and encourage their introduction.
Furthermore, it is important for the Dutch government to ensure that emitters start contributing from now on to the future costs of limiting and reducing a temperature overshoot.
Why is CDR needed (now)?
Deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are essential to avoid the most severe climate impacts. In addition to this, CDR is necessary. Removing CO2 from the atmosphere has two roles: limiting and reducing a temperature overshoot and counterbalancing residual emissions to achieve climate neutrality.