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Non-permanent carbon removal lowers mitigation costs but not long-run warming targets

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Research area:environment-climatemitigation-policy

What the study found

The study finds that non-permanent carbon dioxide removal (CDR, carbon dioxide removal where stored carbon is eventually released) can reduce mitigation costs, but it does not reduce the optimal long-run temperature level. The authors also distinguish its value from the social cost of carbon because emissions released from non-permanent storage create a social cost of carbon removal.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that non-permanent CDR may serve as a bridge technology until permanent CDR becomes available. They also suggest that three policy regimes can support optimal deployment, but these regimes differ in their informational and institutional requirements for monitoring, liability, and financing.

What the researchers tested

The paper develops a welfare and public economics perspective on optimal policies for carbon removal and storage in permanent and non-permanent sinks. It discusses policy regimes for deploying non-permanent CDR and the requirements those regimes place on monitoring, liability, and financing.

What worked and what didn't

Non-permanent CDR appears to work as a way to lower mitigation costs. It does not, however, work in the same way as permanent removals: it does not reduce the optimal long-run temperature level, and its valuation differs because future emissions from storage must be accounted for.

What to keep in mind

The abstract does not provide empirical results, numerical estimates, or evidence comparing the three policy regimes. It also does not describe any limitations beyond the focus on permanent and non-permanent carbon storage.

Key points

  • Non-permanent carbon dioxide removal can reduce mitigation costs.
  • The stored carbon is eventually released back into the atmosphere.
  • Non-permanent CDR does not reduce the optimal long-run temperature level.
  • Its valuation differs from the social cost of carbon.
  • The paper discusses three policy regimes for monitoring, liability, and financing.

Disclosure

Research title:
Non-permanent carbon removal lowers mitigation costs but not long-run warming targets
Authors:
Max Franks, Friedemann Gruner, Matthias Kalkuhl, Kai Lessmann, Ottmar Edenhofer
Institutions:
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Technische Universität Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, University of Potsdam, University of Potsdam
Publication date:
2026-01-21
DOI:
10.1007/s10640-025-01060-3
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by gpt-5.4-mini (OpenAI). The original authors did not write or review this post.

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