Our chances of hitting net zero are looking less and less likely.
So awareness is growing that we also need to actively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere—at a scale never before attempted.
But which carbon dioxide removal (CRD) methods can deliver real, lasting impact? And how do we ensure these solutions are effective, fair, and trusted?
Enter the UPTAKE project, a Horizon-Europe-funded research initiative dedicated to answering these urgent questions and building a roadmap for CDR that works for both people and the planet.
To find out more, we caught up with Soheil Shayegh, Program Director - Industrial and Planetary Carbon Cycle at the CMCC Foundation - Centro Euro Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici.
Among other topics, we discussed:
The most promising CDR methods-from reforestation and soils to cutting-edge technologies like Direct Air Capture and Storage (DACS) and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)—and why some approaches are easier to measure and scale than others.
The economic opportunities CDR could unlock, the challenges of building fair carbon markets and the urgent need for smart policies and international cooperation.
The biggest hurdles facing carbon removal today, from financing and policy uncertainty to technical and legal obstacles, especially for ocean-based solutions.
The risks and unknowns: What could go wrong if CDR is scaled up too quickly, and who stands to benefit (or lose out) as new industries emerge?
How UPTAKE is working to close knowledge gaps, build trust through transparent monitoring and foster collaboration across sectors and borders.
Don’t miss this inside look at the future of CRD—and our planet!
Watch the interview
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