What the study found
The article argues that relying on large-scale carbon dioxide removal (CDR), meaning measures that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, can create a substitution problem with emissions reductions. It says such pathways may discourage or delay deep decarbonization and could lead to overshooting the global carbon budget.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say this matters because a substantial overshoot of the global carbon budget could lead to severe injustices. The study suggests that understanding the substitution between CDR and emissions cuts is important for judging the ethical issues raised by large-scale CDR pathways.
What the researchers tested
The article discusses the problem of substitution between large-scale CDR and deep emissions reductions. It explains the structure of this problem, stresses the ethical issues it raises, and investigates three conditions under which it is likely to occur.
What worked and what didn't
The abstract states that scenarios consistent with limiting warming to well below 2 °C may require removing hundreds of gigatons of carbon dioxide. It also states that rapid and drastic emissions reductions can substantially reduce or even avoid the need for CDR, while large-scale CDR pathways may unintentionally delay those reductions.
What to keep in mind
The available summary does not provide the three conditions in detail. It also does not report new empirical data or a quantitative test of the problem; the article is described as discussing and investigating the issue.
Key points
- The article argues that large-scale carbon dioxide removal can substitute for, and delay, deep emissions reductions.
- It says this substitution may cause overshoot of the global carbon budget.
- The authors link that overshoot to the risk of severe injustices.
- The abstract says rapid and drastic emissions cuts can substantially reduce or even avoid the need for CDR.
- The article investigates three conditions under which the substitution problem is likely to occur.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Large CDR pathways may discourage faster emissions cuts
- Authors:
- Michel Bourban
- Institutions:
- University of Twente
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-26
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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