Quantifying tradeoffs in approaches to carbon removal

Removing carbon from the atmosphere is crucial to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. A wide range of carbon removal technologies exist, but they differ significantly in cost, speed, permanence, and reliability. Some methods are highly effective but expensive, while others are substantially cheaper but less certain in their long-term impact. This project aims to develop an accurate, user-friendly decision-support tool to help stakeholders understand and navigate these tradeoffs. Researchers will assess the real-world performance of current carbon removal strategies and create a web-based calculator that enables users to compare benefit-cost profiles and model custom scenarios. 

Above: Smoke rising from a coal power plant. Image credit: cta88 / iStock