This is an archival representation of v1.1 of this pathway. View the latest version here.
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.

Terrestrial Biomass Sinking
v1.1
VCL
2-4


Component
Uncertainty
Biomass sinking
Leakage
Feedstock storage counterfactual
Feedstock use counterfactual
Indirect land use change
Outgassing
Materials
Energy
Deepwater recirculation
Terrestrial Biomass Sinking
v1.1
VCL
2-4
Terrestrial Biomass Sinking uses plants or algae to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere via photosynthesis, and sinks that biomass into the deep ocean to achieve long-term carbon storage. In addition to the carbon removal and durability uncertainties mapped below, there are important uncertainties about the ecosystem impacts of this approach. This pathway is VCL 2-4, meaning that current quantification capacity can establish permanent carbon removal, but for certain approaches, very significant uncertainties remain. View pathway documentation.
Total Carbon RemovalCO₂e
=DrawdownCO₂e - EmissionsCO₂e
=
(
-
-
-
-
-
)
-
(
+
)

Materials
Energy
Project activity
Biomass sinking
Deepwater storage
Deepwater recirculation
Outgassing
Leakage
Biomass feedstock
Feedstock storage counterfactual
Feedstock use counterfactual
Indirect land use change