CO₂ removal and avoidance: Which is better?

In the fight against climate change, companies around the world are adopting sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprint. Key strategies gaining traction are carbon removal and carbon avoidance projects. With these strategies, companies proactively address their unavoidable carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions through carbon removal and carbon avoidance in the voluntary carbon market. While both aim to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, they differ significantly in approach and impact. This article explores the differences and the roles they can play in your corporate sustainability strategy.

The significance of the individual carbon project classes

While carbon removal and carbon avoidance are both important strategies, they differ significantly in purpose and objectives.

Carbon removal projects target existing CO₂ emissions in the atmosphere and effectively reverse the effects of historical emissions, thereby reducing greenhouse gas concentrations.

Carbon avoidance projects are proactive measures to prevent future CO₂ emissions and mitigate the release of additional greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Example project types within both classes

Carbon removal projects

Projects that actively capture CO₂ from the atmosphere and "remove" existing emissions. They use methods such as:

• Direct air capture: Specialized filters or chemical reactions capture CO₂ directly from the ambient air. The captured CO₂ can be stored underground or used in various industrial processes.

• Biochar: Organic material, such as agricultural waste, is heated without oxygen to produce carbon-rich biochar. When incorporated into soils, it acts as a long-term carbon store.

• Enhanced Rock Weathering: This process accelerates the natural weathering of rocks, which react with CO₂ and bind it in stable mineral forms, effectively removing it from the atmosphere.

• Reforestation: Trees planted on previously unforested land absorb CO₂ as they grow, thus storing carbon.

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Carbon avoidance projects

These projects focus on "avoiding" the release of additional CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere. Strategies include:

• Energy transition to renewable energies: One of the most important strategies is the transition from fossil fuels to solar, wind and hydropower.

• Methane capture: Projects critical to carbon avoidance capture methane emissions, such as from animal manure, and convert them into biogas for cooking to reduce overall emissions.

• Clean cookstoves: Switching from three-stone fires to industrially manufactured cookstoves can reduce the total amount of firewood needed to cook a given meal.

Choosing the right approach for you

When deciding between carbon removal and carbon avoidance, consider your specific circumstances, goals, and resources. Both approaches have unique advantages and can be integrated into a comprehensive sustainability strategy.

Different organizations, such as the SBTi (Science Based Target Initiative) and the Oxford Principles, have different views on this issue. SBTi only recommends removals for net-zero years and beyond. On the path to net-zero, SBTi recommends both types of projects. On the other hand, the Oxford Principles propose a transition to long-lived storage methods (long-lived removal projects), while allowing portfolios to include mitigation projects in the coming years.

Conclusion

Carbon removal and avoidance are important components of your holistic strategy to reduce global warming and combat climate change. Prioritize high-quality carbon credits and switch to long-life storage methods. Support the development of a net-zero market. By implementing these strategies, you can create a sustainable and greener future for all countries in the world.

As a sustainability and ESG leader or Head of Sustainability, you should consider the unique benefits of each approach to achieving your corporate climate strategy. You can schedule a free consultation with our team to explore different projects and identify those that align with your internal goals.