The Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Removal (CDR) Program advances diverse CDR approaches to facilitate the removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) on the gigatonne scale per year by 2050. The program emphasizes a rigorous analysis of the life cycle, techno-economic, and equity impacts of prospective CDR technologies. Investments are made in CDR technologies with commercialization potentials, such as direct air and ocean capture, biomass with carbon removal, and mineralization reactions, to remove legacy CO₂ emissions and address emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sectors.

The CO₂ Removal Program assists DOE in reaching the stated climate goals of achieving a net-zero carbon U.S. economy by 2050 through investments in relevant, innovative technologies in a just and equitable way.