Research

Articles, tools, and commentary on
climate services and solutions.
Highlights
Jun 04 2025
We developed a tool to explore a new dataset that makes it easier to see how the efficiency of direct ocean removal varies around the world.

Apr 23 2025
We’ve expanded our database of offset data with searchable project types and details about who is using offset credits.

Articles
Jun 04 2025
We collaborated with [C]Worthy to build a tool that will make it easier to see where a marine carbon removal approach called direct ocean removal is most efficient.
We collaborated with [C]Worthy to build a tool that will make it easier to see where a marine carbon removal approach called direct ocean removal is most efficient.
Mar 03 2025
We conducted a stakeholder survey showing broad agreement that independent review of CDR protocols is needed. However, there appear to be diverse views on the desired scope and function of such a review.
We conducted a stakeholder survey showing broad agreement that independent review of CDR protocols is needed. However, there appear to be diverse views on the desired scope and function of such a review.
Nov 13 2024
Some carbon removal projects also result in avoided emissions. This is good for the climate, but can pose challenges for individual projects that are trying to earn carbon removal credits.
Some carbon removal projects also result in avoided emissions. This is good for the climate, but can pose challenges for individual projects that are trying to earn carbon removal credits.
Oct 30 2024
Beginning in January, California law AB1305 will require companies to disclose which offsets they use. An analysis of early data, voluntarily released before the law takes effect, demonstrates that these disclosures are powerful, but also highlights the opportunity for improvements around discoverability and usability.
Beginning in January, California law AB1305 will require companies to disclose which offsets they use. An analysis of early data, voluntarily released before the law takes effect, demonstrates that these disclosures are powerful, but also highlights the opportunity for improvements around discoverability and usability.
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Commentary
Policy Briefs
Feb 25 2025
Policy Brief
We summarize the ongoing debate around what “counts” as CDR, highlighting the trade-offs of each proposed definition. We suggest an alternative set of questions that can provide a more meaningful guide to making effective CDR investments.
Jul 03 2024
Policy Brief
Initial results from the ICVCM assessment process highlight the challenges of reliably identifying high-quality offset credits.
Feb 08 2024
Policy Brief
The state’s cap-and-trade system depends on forest offsets. But forests burn. And the buffer pool isn’t robust enough to protect the system.
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Publications
Dec 01 2024
Global Change Biology
In 2024, wildfires burned a record number of forests participating in California's forest offset program, exposing the danger of relying on forests to slow climate change.
Dec 23 2022
Nature Plants
A paper using coupled seaweed growth and technoeconomic models to better understand the potential role of seaweed farming for carbon removal and biomass products.
Sep 15 2023
One Earth
For carbon offsets to support temperature stabilization under the Paris Agreement, nearly everything about them must change.
Sep 12 2022
Global Change Biology
An ex post analysis shows that credited carbon sequestration in California projects is likely non-additional. These findings illustrate the importance of using dynamic baseline controls to credit carbon.
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