CDR Verification Framework Documentation
Docs: Pathway
Enhanced Weathering
VCL
3
Enhanced weathering (EW) is a process that speeds up the chemical reactions between rocks, water, and air to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. Here, we specifically consider EW performed by spreading finely ground rock on agricultural soils. This pathway is VCL 3, meaning that current quantification capacity can establish net carbon removal occurred, but significant uncertainties remain.
Version history

Dec 05 2023
v1.3
Third release. Made a minor update to the terrestrial carbonate durability component to clarify carbonate durability dynamics.

Oct 11 2023
Third release. Edited agricultural lime use component as detailed in this blog post. Included component in equation for net carbon removal and re-numbered components accordingly.

Dec 19 2022
Second release. Incorporated feedback as detailed in this blog post.

Sep 19 2022
First release.
Acknowledgments
This framework has been shaped by input and feedback from external experts, including CDR companies, scientists, and other CDR ecosystem actors. Any remaining mistakes or mischaracterizations are the authors’ sole responsibility.
CDR Company
v1.0, v1.1
Eion
Scientific Expert
v1.0, v1.1
Kate Maher (Stanford)
Scientific Expert
v1.1, v1.2
Chris Reinhard (Georgia Tech / Lithos)
Scientific Expert
v1.1, v1.2
Noah Planavsky (Yale / Lithos)
Scientific Expert
v1.0
Jens Hartmann (Institut für Geologie)
CDR Company
v1.0
UNDO (prev. Future Forest)
Scientific Expert
v1.1
Becca Neumann (University of Washington)
CDR Company
v1.1
Travertine
Scientific Expert
v1.2
Eric Slessarev (Yale)
Enhanced Weathering
VCL
3
Enhanced weathering (EW) is a process that speeds up the chemical reactions between rocks, water, and air to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. Here, we specifically consider EW performed by spreading finely ground rock on agricultural soils. This pathway is VCL 3, meaning that current quantification capacity can establish net carbon removal occurred, but significant uncertainties remain.
Version history

Dec 05 2023
Third release. Made a minor update to the terrestrial carbonate durability component to clarify carbonate durability dynamics.

Oct 11 2023
Third release. Edited agricultural lime use component as detailed in this blog post. Included component in equation for net carbon removal and re-numbered components accordingly.

Dec 19 2022
Second release. Incorporated feedback as detailed in this blog post.

Sep 19 2022
First release.
Acknowledgments
This framework has been shaped by input and feedback from external experts, including CDR companies, scientists, and other CDR ecosystem actors. Any remaining mistakes or mischaracterizations are the authors’ sole responsibility.
CDR Company
v1.0, v1.1
Eion
Scientific Expert
v1.0, v1.1
Kate Maher (Stanford)
Scientific Expert
v1.1, v1.2
Chris Reinhard (Georgia Tech / Lithos)
Scientific Expert
v1.1, v1.2
Noah Planavsky (Yale / Lithos)
Scientific Expert
v1.0
Jens Hartmann (Institut für Geologie)
CDR Company
v1.0
UNDO (prev. Future Forest)
Scientific Expert
v1.1
Becca Neumann (University of Washington)
CDR Company
v1.1
Travertine
Scientific Expert
v1.2
Eric Slessarev (Yale)