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Carbon removal: miracle fix or a dangerous distraction? Both takes miss what the science is actually telling us. We sit down with Christopher Neidl, Carbon Removal Lead for the Climate High Level Champions and co-founder of OpenAir, to pin down what carbon dioxide removal is, what it is not, and why it is an important part of the IPCC pathways.

We unpack where CDR fits in the wider climate action toolkit alongside emissions reduction and adaptation, and why removals become a “gap-closer” for hard-to-abate sectors as the carbon budget tightens. Christopher shares how his early work in solar shaped his view of scale, timelines, and the “surprises” that happen when policy, markets, and innovation suddenly align. That perspective feeds into CDR 2030, an initiative designed to use the next five years to prove maturity, build momentum, and make progress visible through the COP Action Agenda, not just in reports but in real projects, standards, and governance.

We also get honest about communications: why CDR is often confused with carbon capture, why some climate voices fear it will be used to delay systemic change, and how to build trust through evidence, salience, and relevance. 

And finally, we explore a place-based approach where cities can plug carbon removal into local strategies, turning community liabilities and assets such as waste streams and wastewater systems into practical climate solutions.

Listen in, to GoodGeist! 

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