By Dr Mijndert van der Spek, Course Leader, Carbon Dioxide Removal from a Systems Perspective
This month, An Ecosystem of Carbon Dioxide Removal Reviews – Part 1: Direct Air CO₂ Capture and Storage was published, representing the most comprehensive assessment of the field to date. The review brings together the expertise of 29 researchers from eight countries and 17 institutions, collectively analysing more than 800 peer-reviewed papers and several key reports.
Our aim was to provide a single, authoritative synthesis of the global evidence base on direct air capture and storage (DACCS) as of August 2024. This one-stop shop offers governments, the IPCC, international organisations and industries a harmonised and comparable overview of current knowledge – spanning technology performance, costs, environmental impacts, and policy frameworks.
A rigorous and systematic approach
The review followed a formalised protocol developed by colleagues at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). Every author applied the same method for screening, coding and interpreting data, ensuring consistency and comparability. Machine-learning algorithms helped identify and classify relevant studies, while key figures – such as energy use, costs and environmental metrics – were standardised to allow meaningful cross-comparison.
This approach provides a level of rigour rarely seen in technology assessments, allowing stakeholders to interpret results on a like-for-like basis and to draw lessons across different carbon dioxide removal (CDR) methods.
Beyond technology: Systems integration and policy
The review goes far beyond technical performance. It examines the evolution of DACCS costs and emissions over time, the environmental trade-offs and the societal dimensions of policy, equity and public perception. It also assesses monitoring, reporting, and verification, and explores how DACCS might be integrated into broader decarbonising energy systems.
Ultimately, the findings confirm that DACCS can only scale with sustained, targeted government support – mirroring the early-stage policies that enabled renewable energy growth.
The value of completeness and context
Every piece of peer-reviewed DACCS literature up to August 2024 passed through our collective analysis. This completeness, combined with the systematic and transparent methodology, makes the review a definitive reference for decision-makers. It also aligns with forthcoming reviews across all other CDR pathways – ocean-based, geochemical and land-based – creating a coherent ecosystem of carbon removal knowledge.
At Heriot-Watt University, my colleagues and I are contributing to these parallel efforts, reflecting our shared commitment to robust, evidence-based climate solutions.
Preparing professionals to apply CDR knowledge
Understanding carbon dioxide removal requires systems-level thinking – linking technology, economics, policy, and societal impact. That same approach underpins Heriot-Watt University’s online CPD course, Carbon Dioxide Removal from a Systems Perspective.
The course enables you to:
- Develop practical skills to evaluate and implement CDR solutions.
- Learn from active researchers and climate-technology experts.
- Study flexibly online without interrupting your career.
You will gain university-accredited training designed for engineers, policymakers, sustainability professionals and others seeking to apply CDR knowledge in real-world contexts.
Lead the net-zero transition with Heriot-Watt
Carbon dioxide removal is now central to global net-zero strategies, yet its deployment must be informed by sound science and systems understanding. The recent DACCS review provides that evidence; our CPD programme helps professionals translate it into action.
In a global first, Heriot-Watt University has launched an online course dedicated exclusively to the science, technology, and policy of removing CO₂ from the atmosphere. If you want to contribute meaningfully to the net-zero transition – and build expertise in one of the world’s fastest-growing climate sectors – explore the Carbon Dioxide Removal from a Systems Perspective course at Heriot-Watt University’s Professional Academy.