Scientific literature on carbon dioxide removal revealed as much larger through AI-enhanced systematic mapping

Sarah Lück (), Max Callaghan, Malgorzata Borchers, Annette Cowie, Sabine Fuss, Matthew Gidden, Jens Hartmann, Claudia Kammann, David P. Keller, Florian Kraxner, William F. Lamb, Niall Dowell, Finn Müller-Hansen, Gregory F. Nemet, Benedict S. Probst, Phil Renforth, Tim Repke, Wilfried Rickels, Ingrid Schulte, Pete Smith, Stephen M. Smith, Daniela Thrän, Tiffany G. Troxler, Volker Sick, Mijndert Spek and Jan C. Minx ()
Additional contact information
Sarah Lück: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Max Callaghan: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Malgorzata Borchers: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)
Annette Cowie: NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development / University of New England
Sabine Fuss: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Matthew Gidden: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Jens Hartmann: University Hamburg
Claudia Kammann: Hochschule Geisenheim University
David P. Keller: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Florian Kraxner: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
William F. Lamb: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Niall Dowell: Imperial College London
Finn Müller-Hansen: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Gregory F. Nemet: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Benedict S. Probst: Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition
Phil Renforth: Heriot-Watt University
Tim Repke: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Wilfried Rickels: Kiel Institute for the World Economy
Ingrid Schulte: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Pete Smith: University of Aberdeen
Stephen M. Smith: University of Oxford
Daniela Thrän: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)
Tiffany G. Troxler: Department of Earth and Environment and Institute of Environment
Volker Sick: University of Michigan
Mijndert Spek: Heriot-Watt University
Jan C. Minx: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Carbon dioxide removal plays an important role in any strategy to limit global warming to well below 2 °C. Keeping abreast with the scientific evidence using rigorous evidence synthesis methods is an important prerequisite for sustainably scaling these methods. Here, we use artificial intelligence to provide a comprehensive systematic map of carbon dioxide removal research. We find a total of 28,976 studies on carbon dioxide removal—3–4 times more than previously suggested. Growth in research is faster than for the field of climate change research as a whole, but very concentrated in specific areas—such as biochar, certain research methods like lab and field experiments, and particular regions like China. Patterns of carbon dioxide removal research contrast with trends in patenting and deployment, highlighting the differing development stages of these technologies. As carbon dioxide removal gains importance for the Paris climate goals, our systematic map can support rigorous evidence synthesis for the IPCC and other assessments.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61485-8

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