“Carbon dioxide removal” or “CDR” is becoming a common term in climate and clean energy policy discussions. But what is it? ClearPath is beginning to tackle the what, but also the how.

Carbon capture remains one of the most promising clean energy technologies. It’s becoming widely recognized across party lines for its potential to reduce the environmental footprint of heavy industrial processes and directly remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report reaffirmed the important role carbon capture and removal technologies must play in reducing global carbon emissions.

This memo provides recommendations for the successful deployment of carbon removal solutions and implementation of direct air capture (DAC) hubs by the Department of Energy (DOE), as authorized and appropriated under Section 40308 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA​​; P.L. 117-58).

Carbon, the sixth most abundant element found on Earth, can be released into our atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) and is the foundation of all life. So, how do we get rid of the CO₂ already in the atmosphere? Fortunately, there are multiple carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solutions.

At ClearPath, reducing power-sector emissions has been our primary focus, but we added the industrial sector to our portfolio — going from tackling a quarter of U.S. carbon emissions to half. Several American steel companies are already working to decarbonize the steel manufacturing process through innovation. Supporting them with good policy will have huge impacts.

To meaningfully reduce carbon dioxide emissions around the world, we need more clean and affordable technologies in both the power sector and heavy industry such as steel and cement and concrete.