Carbon removal received far greater attention at COP30 than in previous years. For the first time, the conference featured a dedicated Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Pavilion, initiated by the European Negative Emission Platform (NEP). Discussions in the pavilion ranged from the potential of individual technologies to how Article 6 and voluntary markets could support high-integrity carbon removal projects, as well as broader market design to enable scaling. The pavilion placed carbon removal firmly at the center of international climate discussions.
Johan Rockström on the necessity of CDR
At the opening session, organized by the Science Council established to support Brazil’s presidency, Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and scientific advisor to both the UN and COP30, reminded delegates that removing carbon from the atmosphere is essential to avoid catastrophic tipping points.
Rockström noted that even under the most optimistic scenario, global temperatures are expected to rise by about 1.7 °C above pre‑industrial levels. Meeting this threshold requires removing 10 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually, while current efforts achieve only a quarter of that. Rockström expressed hope that the COP30 presidency would include carbon removal in its official declarations to ensure timely attention to its risks and costs.
Practical solutions for CDR
The discussions also highlighted practical solutions to contracting practices in emerging markets, where complexity has become a key barrier to development. In the second week of the conference, a standardized legal contract template —OSCAR— was launched to streamline CDR transactions. Developed collaboratively by industry practitioners, OSCAR provides a balanced and accessible starting point for buyers, suppliers, lawyers, and intermediaries. It aims to simplify contracting, reduce time and cost, and create greater consistency across durable CDR deals.
"For carbon removals to scale, we need more than ambition—we need clarity, consistency, and shared frameworks. This template gives parties a common language to work from, while remaining flexible enough to accommodate different jurisdictions and delivery models." - Peter Mayer, OSCAR legal advisor.
By offering an openly accessible contract with an accompanying guidebook, the OSCAR working group seeks to accelerate deal‑making and improve bankability for early‑stage suppliers.
Reinforcing cooperation
Cooperation to strengthen emerging CDR markets was also reinforced in many ways, for example, through the Vancouver Declaration, a framework for global collaboration on CDR. The declaration provides a science-based, action-oriented roadmap for CDR implementation and is intended as a practical tool for governments, institutions, and civil society to use. The Declaration unites all stakeholders — not only industry, but also governments at all levels and regions, together with funders, researchers, and civil society. Participating countries and organizations will sign the Declaration in Vancouver in October 2026.
Australia, the next COP presidency, leading the way
Most of the national CDR plans presented focused narrowly on achieving net‑zero targets. Australia stood out as an exception: its Carbon Dioxide Removal Roadmap, presented by a representative of the national science agency CSIRO, recognizes the need for removals also during the net‑negative phase.
The roadmap quantifies Australia’s capacity for different novel CDR approaches, their costs, and the requirements for scaling them. It also emphasizes how these approaches can complement conventional CDR, particularly as ongoing research and development reduce costs. The roadmap provides a useful reference for other countries’ plans to integrate CDR into their long‑term climate policy.
With Australia taking over the COP31 presidency in Turkey, carbon removal is likely to rise even higher on next year’s agenda. As Johan Rockström reminded us, the need could not be more urgent.
