Carbon dioxide removal–What’s worth doing? A biophysical and public need perspective

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) has become a focal point for legislators and policymakers who are pursuing strategies climate change mitigation. This paper employs policy framework of collective biophysical need to examine two broad categories CDR methods being subsidized advanced by the United States other countries: mechanical capture biological sequestration. Using published data on these methods, we perform input-outcome analysis, focusing U.S., compare basis three criteria: effectiveness at net carbon removal, efficiency climate-relevant scale, beneficial adverse co-impacts. Our findings indicate that have superior return resource inputs in comparison methods. Biological both more effective efficient achieving scale CO2 removal. Additionally, co-impacts largely positive, while those negative. also far less expensive. Despite their disadvantages track record failure date, continue receive large subsidies from US government sequestration do not. To achieve optimal outcomes, should evaluate methods’ effectiveness, efficiency, We present tools this purpose.