Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is currently a top priority for governments and policymakers in their efforts to achieve a carbon-neutral society in a timely manner. However, the potential for large-scale deployment of such new technologies also raises many questions, particularly regarding their possible negative ecological and social impacts. Commissioned by KIN, the University of Twente, in collaboration with Deltares and Delft University of Technology, is conducting a study to explore whether and how CDR could be deployed responsibly and within planetary boundaries.
In the Climate Plan 2025–2035, the Dutch government is making a strong commitment to carbon removal with the aim of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Both the IPCC and the WKR state that large-scale CDR will be necessary to achieve a carbon-neutral society and to offset the virtually inevitable ‘overshoot’ in global temperature rise relative to the targets set in the Paris Agreement. The current status quo, with a wide range of technologies at various stages of development, makes this a challenging discussion.
The KIN has launched an exploratory study to investigate whether and how CDR could be deployed responsibly and within planetary boundaries, and which technologies would be most suitable for this purpose. The University of Twente, in collaboration with Deltares and Delft University of Technology, launched this exploratory study in March. The central question is:
What is required to steer the development and upscaling of large-scale carbon removal technologies in such a way that they will have a net positive effect on our environment?
No fewer than 12 researchers from the three institutions involved are carrying out this exploratory study, drawing on their specific expertise in technological, ecological (geospatial) and social aspects respectively. In addition to a literature review and interviews with various experts, a workshop on this issue will be organised in May. The aim is to complete the study by June 2026. The study will form the basis for a follow-up process in which KIN may open a Knowledge-in-Action grant on this theme.
On Tuesday 12 May 2026, a workshop on the topic of responsible carbon removal will take place in the afternoon at the University of Twente in Enschede. To approach the issue from various (transdisciplinary) perspectives, participants and stakeholders from the fields of research, government and practice are invited. Subject to availability, registration remains open until 6 May 2026.
Please contact us.
