CDRterra

CDRterra – Research program on land-based CO₂-Removal (CDR) methods

To limit climate change, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions is the top priority. However, to meet the climate target of 1.5 or two degrees Celsius, we need additional methods that permanently remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But is CDR really feasible, effective and useful?

In the CDRterra research program, more than 100 researchers in nine collaborative projects are investigating how and to what extent land-based CO₂ removal methods can contribute to limiting climate change. Political, economic, ecological, technical and societal issues are taken into account. The aim is to comprehensively and uniformly evaluate the potential and side effects of the various methods. This is also done in comparison to marine methods, which are investigated by the research mission CDRmare. On this basis, a societally acceptable, politically feasible and ecologically and economically sensible portfolio of CDR methods can be developed – in dialogue with politics, industry and the public.

The following terrestrial CDR methods will be investigated: afforestation, reforestation and forest management, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), pyrolysis of biomass to biochar, enhanced soil carbon sequestration, enhanced weathering of rock, direct air capture and carbon storage (DACCS), and various combinations of CO2₂ uptake methods and storage in long-lived products.

The CDRSynTra synthesis project unites the results from the projects. It also forms the central interface to the CDRmare research mission.

Contact person: Programme manager Dr. Michael Miller (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)