Many entries in the Action Tracker include “CDR Tags,” which are acronyms created to clearly and concisely communicate the various types of carbon removal solutions being tracked by the tool. This will make it easier for an unversed reader to understand and follow the progress of these solutions within private sector carbon neutral pledges. Overall, these Tags serve to make the Action Tracker more user-friendly and effective in bringing attention to the importance of carbon removal in achieving carbon neutrality. To read more about each tag, look at the definitions below.
Nature-Based Solutions (NBS): Nature-based solutions (NBS) are actions that protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges, including those related to climate change. NBS encompasses a wide variety of approaches, including afforestation and reforestation, wetlands restoration, and sustainable land management.
Soil Carbon Sequestration (SCS): Soil Carbon Sequestration (SCS) refers to the process of capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in soils. This can be achieved through a variety of methods, such as improving soil fertility and water retention, reducing tillage, and increasing crop diversity.
Carbon Offsets (CO): Carbon offsets are a mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They allow companies or countries that have reduced their emissions below their targets to sell the excess reductions to others who are unable to meet their own targets. The most common form of carbon offsets are those issued under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's (UNFCCC) Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a technology that captures carbon dioxide from industrial sources before it is released into the atmosphere and stores it underground. This reduces the amount of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere and helps to mitigate the effects of climate change. Entries tagged under CCS also encompass pledges that lack specificity on the method of CCS used.
Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS): Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) is a technology that uses biomass as a feedstock for energy production, and capture and store the carbon dioxide emissions from the process. The carbon dioxide is then stored underground. BECCS is considered a "negative emissions" technology because it removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, rather than just reducing emissions.
Direct Air Capture and Storage (DACCS): Direct Air Capture and Storage (DACCS) is a technology that captures carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide is then stored underground. DACCS is considered a "negative emissions" technology because it removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, rather than just reducing emissions.
N/A: No mention of carbon removal is made in this pledge.