Read more in the June 20 edition of Invert Insights.
As climate change accelerates and international climate goals become more urgent, corporate leaders are increasingly turning to carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to complement emissions reductions. The recently published report, Considering Durability in Carbon Dioxide Removal Strategies for Climate Change Mitigation, offers a critical lens through which to evaluate different CDR approaches, emphasizing the importance of both permanence and strategic diversity. For companies building or refining their climate action plans, the findings point clearly to one conclusion: a resilient, future-fit strategy must include both nature-based and technology-based removals.
Durability refers to the length of time carbon remains stored after removal from the atmosphere. According to the report, nature-based solutions such as afforestation or soil carbon sequestration offer low-cost, near-term carbon storage with co-benefits like biodiversity enhancement and community resilience, but often with lower durability. For example, forests can be disturbed by fire, pests, or human activities, releasing stored carbon back into the atmosphere within decades.
In contrast, technology-based removals like direct air capture (DAC) with geological storage or enhanced mineralization offer storage durations of centuries to millennia. However, these solutions tend to be more expensive and less scalable in the near term due to infrastructure and energy requirements.
The report underscores the necessity of deploying both short- and long-term CDR strategies concurrently. From a corporate perspective, this dual approach provides:
Nature-based solutions are deployable today. Their relatively low cost and additional environmental and social benefits make them an accessible entry point. For companies under pressure from investors, customers, and regulators to demonstrate climate action now, these solutions provide visible, credible progress.
Technology-based removals ensure carbon stays out of the atmosphere for centuries or longer. This is vital for achieving net-zero targets and addressing the “residual emissions” that are unlikely to be eliminated completely. Investing in these solutions today also helps accelerate innovation and cost reductions over time.
As in financial portfolio theory, diversification reduces risk. A mix of solutions helps protect against the failure or underperformance of any one strategy, whether due to natural disturbance, policy changes, or technological bottlenecks.
Incorporating both nature- and technology-based removals positions companies to lead on multiple fronts:
The climate crisis demands action that is not only immediate but also durable. The latest science makes it clear: no single solution can carry the burden of carbon removal. For corporations serious about net-zero commitments, blending nature-based and technology-based removals is not a matter of choosing one over the other, it’s about using every lever available to protect both the planet and long-term business viability.
By strategically balancing short-term impact with long-term certainty, companies can build climate action plans that are credible today and resilient tomorrow.
Invert Insights.
💡 To meet climate targets and stakeholder expectations, companies must act now using available, scalable solutions (e.g., nature-based removals) while simultaneously investing in long-term, durable options (e.g., DAC with geological storage). Corporate climate strategies should be built around a phased portfolio approach that includes both immediate-impact projects and future-ready technologies to balance near-term impact with long-term carbon liability management.
💡 As scientific, policy, and market frameworks evolve, the durability of carbon storage is becoming a critical measure of climate impact, especially in the context of net-zero claims. Firms should begin evaluating carbon credit purchases and in-house removal projects based on their storage permanence, not just volume or cost. Doing so will future-proof strategies against rising scrutiny and emerging regulatory standards.
💡 Relying solely on one type of carbon removal – whether nature-based or technology-driven – introduces vulnerability, whether through natural disturbances, reversals, or technological bottlenecks. Building a diverse CDR portfolio strengthens a company’s ability to manage climate-related risks, adapt to market fluctuations, and demonstrate leadership in innovation, resilience, and integrity.
