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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

  • Matthew Gidden

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
    Climate Analytics
    University of Maryland)

  • 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
    University of Leeds)

  • 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
    University of Cambridge
    ETH Zurich)

  • Phil Renforth

    (Heriot-Watt University)

  • Tim Repke

    (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
    University College London)

  • 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
    University of Leeds)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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 &, 2025. "Scientific literature on carbon dioxide removal revealed as much larger through AI-enhanced systematic mapping," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-61485-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61485-8
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