Below are many of the infographics, visuals and videos that WRI’s carbon removal team has developed for our articles, papers and reports to explain the need for CDR, CDR options available, and how to work toward responsible scaling.

Graphics are available for download and use. Please cite the authors of the article where the graphic originally appeared, which is listed under each graphic.

 

General carbon removal graphics and videos

Limiting global warming requires reaching net-zero emissions
Chart showing path to net zero.
Limiting global warming requires deeply reducing emissions and scaling carbon dioxide removal to counterbalance remaining emissions that can’t be abated to achieve net zero carbon dioxide and net zero greenhouse gases soon after.

Please cite graphic as WRI 2025

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Natural/ biotic and technological/ abiotic carbon removal approaches
a long arrow with natural approaches at the top and technological approacheson the bottom
carbon removal approaches on land group of trees to represent afforestation and reforestation outline of seedling plant for soil carbon sequestration icon outline of sun and field for biomass carbon removal and storage icon outline of a large rock, carbon mineralization icon
carbon removal approaches in the ocean wetland grasses coming out of water outline seaweed and rocks icon nitrogen periodic table symbol icon with waves representing artificial upwelling & downwelling large rock as alkalinity enhancement battery with a lightening bolt

Note: The natural/ biotic vs. technological/ abiotic categorization shown here is illustrative rather than definitive and will vary depending on how approaches are applied.

Carbon dioxide removal includes many different technologies and approaches that can be done on land or in the ocean. They can be thought of along a range of more natural to more engineered approaches, with many including elements of both.

Additional download options:
- Carbon removal approaches on land
- Carbon removal approaches in the ocean
- Carbon removal approaches on land and in the ocean (vertical)
Differentiating carbon capture and carbon removal
The differences between carbon capture and carbon dioxide removal
It is important to differentiate carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) since they play different roles in climate action plans and have different impacts on the ground. CCUS captures emissions at a source before they enter the atmosphere and is a form of emissions reduction, while CDR removes CO2 that is already in the atmosphere.

Originally published in: 7 Things to Know About Carbon Capture, Utilization and Sequestration 

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Potential for ‘learning by doing’ feedback loop in the carbon removal industry
Potential for 'learning by doing' feedback loop in the carbon removal industry.
Positive feedback loops could help contribute to nonlinear growth in the carbon removal sector, but carbon removal, as a public good, faces unique challenges compared to other clean technologies.

Originally published in: Could the Carbon Removal Industry Reach a Tipping Point that Triggers Rapid and Nonlinear Growth? 

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Risk profile for CO2 sequestration over time
Risk profile of C02 sequestration over time
The risk of CO2 leakage following injection into underground geologic formations is highest just before and after injection is completed. Risk of leakage is expected to decline over time.

Originally published in: Regulating Safety for Carbon Removal, Capture and Sequestration Projects in the US

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Video: Why do we need carbon removal?
Video: What is carbon removal?
Video: How direct air capture (DAC) works

 

Governance of CDR

What does responsible CDR entail in a policy context?
Policy context for carbon dioxide removal
Responsible carbon dioxide removal must include policies to protect people, land and natural resources; embed equity and environmental justice; and maximize climate benefit.

Originally published in: Carbon Dioxide Removal Must Be Scaled Responsibly. But What Does That Mean?

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Net-zero can involve low or high use of carbon removal
Graph showing net-zero can involve low or high use of carbon removal.
Achieving net zero can involve high or low levels of carbon dioxide removal to balance continued emissions. As more CDR is needed to counterbalance emissions at net zero, less is available to achieve net negative emissions.

Originally published in: How Separate Climate Targets Can Help Avoid Overreliance on Carbon Removal

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The role of community benefits and agreements in projects
Community benefits plans can provide a framework for equitable project development, ensuring host communities receive durable economic and social benefits.

Originally published in: Carbon Dioxide Removal Must Be Scaled Responsibly. But What Does That Mean?

Download Graphic Part 1 - Without a Community Benefits Plan

Download Graphic Part 2 - With a Community Benefits Plan
Video: Understanding the Role of Carbon Dioxide Removal

 

Biomass carbon removal

Principles for sustainable sourcing of biomass
Principles for sustainable sourcing of biomass
Sustainable biomass sourcing should prioritize wastes, residues and by-products; only use forestry material from ecologically managed forests; and any carbon removal crops should be limited to native species on marginal land.

Originally published in: Biomass Can Fight Climate Change, But Only If You Do It Right

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Biomass carbon removal pathways
Biomass carbon removal pathways vary in terms of the biomass source, the conversion process, the product and how the carbon is sequestered.

Originally published in: Biomass Can Fight Climate Change, But Only If You Do It Right

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Biomass use under different modeled scenarios
Adequate guardrails around biomass and land use are critical to ensuring biomass use doesn’t negatively impact climate, ecosystems, and food systems.

Originally published in: Biomass Can Fight Climate Change, But Only If You Do It Right

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Carbon Mineralization

Types of carbon mineralization approaches
types of carbon mineralization approaches
Carbon mineralization includes both above ground and below ground approaches, and those that capture and sequester, or just sequester, carbon dioxide.

Originally published in: 5 Things to Know About Carbon Mineralization

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Current carbon mineralization feedstocks in the US
Current carbon mineralization feedstocks in the US
Note: Last updated June 2023.

Originally published in: 5 Things to Know About Carbon Mineralization

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Carbon mineralization reaction
carbon mineralization reaction
Carbon mineralization involves the reaction between certain alkaline minerals in rocks with carbon dioxide to form solid carbonates.

Originally published in: 5 Things to Know About Carbon Mineralization

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Marine CDR

Illustration of ocean maritime boundaries
Illustration of Ocean Maritime Boundaries.
How marine carbon removal activities are regulated depends on where they take place in the ocean.

Originally published in: How Marine Carbon Removal Is Governed in the High Seas

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Fate of Carbon Dioxide Absorbed into the Ocean
Figure showing fate of carbon dioxide absorbed into ocean.
Carbon dioxide that is absorbed into the surface waters of the ocean undergoes chemical reactions that increase ocean acidity and produce dissolved bicarbonates.

Originally published in: Toward Responsible and Informed Ocean-Based Carbon Dioxide Removal: Research and Governance Priorities

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Map of mCDR at-sea trials and areas beyond national jurisdiction
Map of mCDR.
Marine carbon dioxide removal field trials are beginning to take place in countries’ national waters.

Note: Updated as of February 2025

Originally published in: How Marine Carbon Removal Is Governed in the High Seas

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Video: Marine CDR presents lots of potential but includes lots of uncertainty