The 2030 and 2050 milestones outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are fast approaching: a 45% emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050. Today, almost no country is on track to meet them. To stay within 1.5°C warming and avoid the most severe impacts of climate change, we must accelerate emissions reductions and the deployment of CDR. Estimates suggest that we will need between 6 and 16 gigatonnes of removals annually by mid-century; yet, the market today delivers only a fraction of that capacity. Bridging this gap requires urgent investment and deployment now.

Why is CDR an essential, near-term, climate solution?

Decarbonisation, or the reduction and eventual elimination of fossil-fuel-based emissions, is essential to fighting climate change. The science is clear—reductions alone cannot deliver a 1.5°C future. To some degree, on the order of a few to ten billion tonnes each year, negative emission technologies will be necessary to bring climate mitigation back on track and reach a final state of net zero. CDR directly addresses both historical and residual emissions: those already in the atmosphere and those that are extremely difficult or costly to reduce in sectors like heavy industry. Governments, companies, and organisations of all types must take ambitious action to reduce and remove in tandem.  

Most net zero frameworks have treated CDR as a final-stage activity, reserved for hard-to-abate emissions closer to 2050. Delayed CDR deployment is ill-advised for climate mitigation and overlooks its immediate value. Scaling removals today achieves three things:

1. Climate imperative: The pace of warming is accelerating, and mitigation pathways already assume large volumes of removals. Deploying CDR now helps close the gap between current trajectories and the 1.5°C goal.
2. Lower long-term costs: Early investment sends market signals. By growing supply chains, infrastructure, and financing mechanisms today, we avoid the cost spikes that would come from a last-minute scramble in the 2040s.‍
3. Climate credibility: Companies and governments are under pressure to deliver on climate promises. Integrating CDR now strengthens the credibility of net-zero pathways, backing ambitions with action.

We'll dive into each pillar below.

Why we can't wait: the climate imperative

CDR can close the near-term emissions gap and help address ongoing emissions. The 'emissions gap' is a term that notes the disparity between climate pledges and actual emissions levels. While emissions rise, the ambition and actual implementation of net-zero strategies lag. Paris Agreement signatories need to cut an astounding 42% of emissions by 2030 to get back on track with 1.5°C.

Deploying the entire suite of CDR pathways can play a significant role in helping to close this gap and get back on track with net-zero goals before it's too late.

Investing today lowers long-term costs.

Like renewable energy, the cost of CDR will fall as deployment scales. Projects today receive investment from diverse sources, primarily credit sales in the voluntary carbon market (VCM). Early demand signals, even from smaller investments today, contribute to broader market-building and boost trust in the viability of the CDR ecosystem. Building long-term offtake agreements now also de-risks technology growth and signals seriousness to stakeholders.

These are important mechanisms to help projects secure pre-finance, covering costs of operations and ultimately lowering the long-term purchasing price. On the individual buyer level, companies that commit early can secure access to scarce supply at predictable prices, rather than facing inflated costs in the 2040s. And those that price emissions today are more likely to decarbonise faster, saving money in the long-run.

Upholding climate credibility

In an era of widespread net-zero targets, stated climate ambitions often differ from expected or actual implementation. With climate credibility in question, organisations can leverage CDR to take responsibility for any ongoing emissions and offer tangible proof that their goals are more than hot air.

Stakeholders, from regulators to customers, want proof that pledges translate into measurable action. Companies that incorporate removals today demonstrate leadership, safeguard their brand reputation, and build trust by showing they are not waiting until the last minute.

Aligning internally to take action now

It is essential to build a strong internal business case for immediate CDR engagement. The strategic opportunity for CDR today lies in anticipating future risks and fostering genuine climate leadership. Here's why:

• Manage future risks. Supply is scarce today and will only continue to crunch as the thousands of net-zero target setters approach their target years and need to purchase offsets.
• Get in line with upcoming regulations. Whether voluntary or codified, climate legislation is around the corner, and ESG agendas are here to stay.
• Social license to operate. Taking action today boosts brand reputation and trust. Climate leadership is essential for stakeholder and employee satisfaction, and can even impact a company's valuation.

How we stay on track for our common climate goals

The role of CDR in 2030 is about scaling up: proving pathways, establishing standards, and building the infrastructure that enables exponential growth. By 2050, it must be delivering gigatonnes annually. That trajectory cannot be achieved without today's corporate and policy leadership.

For companies, the question is no longer whether to include removals, but when to do so. Early movers will secure lower costs, influence market design, and establish climate credibility. Governments, investors, and corporations all share responsibility, but businesses in particular have the chance to shape the market through procurement, partnerships, and long-term commitments. Net zero is not possible without CDR—and the time to scale it is now.