CDR Verification Framework
This is an interactive tool for understanding Verification Confidence Levels (VCLs) for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) by mapping key uncertainties for different CDR pathways. Developed in collaboration between CarbonPlan and Frontier. Read the explainer article, the Frontier post, or methods for more detail.

Direct Air Capture
v1.0
VCL
4-5


Component
Uncertainty
Storage
Leakage
Materials
Energy
Secondary impacts of energy demand
Storage monitoring and maintenance
Direct Air Capture
v1.0
VCL
4-5
Direct Air Capture (DAC) uses chemicals to capture CO₂ from ambient air and generate a concentrated stream of CO₂ for storage. We assume that captured CO₂ is not used for enhanced oil recovery. This pathway is VCL 4-5, meaning that current quantification capacity can establish permanent carbon removal with relative confidence. View pathway documentation.
Total Carbon RemovalCO₂e
=DrawdownCO₂e - EmissionsCO₂e
=
(
-
)
-
(
+
+
)

Materials
Energy
Secondary impacts of energy demand
Project activity
CO₂ capture
CO₂ transportation
Storage
Storage monitoring and maintenance
Leakage