Applying equity principles leads to higher carbon removal obligations in Canada
Abstract Despite net-zero pledges, consensus on national responsibilities for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategies is lacking. Here, we use integrated assessment modeling to examine equity-informed estimates of Canada’s remaining carbon budgets, exploring CDR’s role at net-zero and beyond. Gigato...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Communications Earth & Environment |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02080-z |
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| author | Kasra Motlaghzadeh Neil Craik Juan Moreno-Cruz Vanessa Schweizer Jay Fuhrman Keith W. Hipel |
| author_facet | Kasra Motlaghzadeh Neil Craik Juan Moreno-Cruz Vanessa Schweizer Jay Fuhrman Keith W. Hipel |
| author_sort | Kasra Motlaghzadeh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Despite net-zero pledges, consensus on national responsibilities for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategies is lacking. Here, we use integrated assessment modeling to examine equity-informed estimates of Canada’s remaining carbon budgets, exploring CDR’s role at net-zero and beyond. Gigaton-scale CDR efforts post-2050 are needed to address Canada’s carbon debt under various burden-sharing principles. Cumulative negative emissions (2050-2100) could increase from 7.5 GtCO2 in the Net-Zero scenario to 20.3 GtCO2 in equity-informed scenarios. By 2100, a CDR portfolio, including bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, direct air capture, and enhanced weathering could contribute up to ~500 MtCO2/year of removals. The projected average CDR growth rates, 2.8%-16%/year, align with the historical adoption rates of ammonia synthesis and biomass consumption in Canada, underscoring the importance of drawing lessons from past successes. Socio-economic and technological sensitivity analysis highlights that, despite variations in the role of individual CDR technologies, CDR remains essential for Canada’s post-net-zero commitments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4407aa3b2b4e47e28c2aeedbd649579c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-4435 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Earth & Environment |
| spelling | doaj-art-4407aa3b2b4e47e28c2aeedbd649579c2025-02-09T12:56:02ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Earth & Environment2662-44352025-02-016111710.1038/s43247-025-02080-zApplying equity principles leads to higher carbon removal obligations in CanadaKasra Motlaghzadeh0Neil Craik1Juan Moreno-Cruz2Vanessa Schweizer3Jay Fuhrman4Keith W. Hipel5Department of System Design Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of WaterlooWaterloo Climate Intervention Strategies Lab, University of WaterlooWaterloo Climate Intervention Strategies Lab, University of WaterlooWaterloo Climate Intervention Strategies Lab, University of WaterlooJoint Global Change Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryDepartment of System Design Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of WaterlooAbstract Despite net-zero pledges, consensus on national responsibilities for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategies is lacking. Here, we use integrated assessment modeling to examine equity-informed estimates of Canada’s remaining carbon budgets, exploring CDR’s role at net-zero and beyond. Gigaton-scale CDR efforts post-2050 are needed to address Canada’s carbon debt under various burden-sharing principles. Cumulative negative emissions (2050-2100) could increase from 7.5 GtCO2 in the Net-Zero scenario to 20.3 GtCO2 in equity-informed scenarios. By 2100, a CDR portfolio, including bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, direct air capture, and enhanced weathering could contribute up to ~500 MtCO2/year of removals. The projected average CDR growth rates, 2.8%-16%/year, align with the historical adoption rates of ammonia synthesis and biomass consumption in Canada, underscoring the importance of drawing lessons from past successes. Socio-economic and technological sensitivity analysis highlights that, despite variations in the role of individual CDR technologies, CDR remains essential for Canada’s post-net-zero commitments.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02080-z |
| spellingShingle | Kasra Motlaghzadeh Neil Craik Juan Moreno-Cruz Vanessa Schweizer Jay Fuhrman Keith W. Hipel Applying equity principles leads to higher carbon removal obligations in Canada Communications Earth & Environment |
| title | Applying equity principles leads to higher carbon removal obligations in Canada |
| title_full | Applying equity principles leads to higher carbon removal obligations in Canada |
| title_fullStr | Applying equity principles leads to higher carbon removal obligations in Canada |
| title_full_unstemmed | Applying equity principles leads to higher carbon removal obligations in Canada |
| title_short | Applying equity principles leads to higher carbon removal obligations in Canada |
| title_sort | applying equity principles leads to higher carbon removal obligations in canada |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02080-z |
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