Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has released a new report outlining how emerging carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies could play a major role in helping the nation reach its net zero targets.
The Australian Carbon Dioxide Removal Roadmap assesses the technical, environmental, and economic potential of a range of novel methods to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The roadmap estimates that Australia may need to remove between 133 and 200 megatonnes (Mt) of CO₂ each year by 2050 to meet its net zero commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Carbon dioxide removal differs from carbon capture and storage, which focuses on preventing emissions at their source. CDR technologies instead remove carbon already present in the atmosphere and store it securely over long timescales.
The CSIRO report evaluates several emerging approaches, including direct air capture and storage, biomass carbon removal, ocean alkalinity enhancement, and enhanced rock weathering. These technologies are designed to complement both conventional emission reduction efforts and nature-based CDR such as reforestation, which stores carbon biologically for shorter periods.
CSIRO CarbonLock Director and co-author Dr Andrew Lenton said Australia’s combination of natural resources, land availability, and renewable energy capacity provides a strong foundation for developing a large-scale CDR industry. “There are also other emerging approaches, such as mineral carbonation, that will only strengthen Australia’s position,” he said.
Modelling presented in the roadmap indicates that, under conservative assumptions, Australia could achieve up to 330 Mt of CO₂ removal per year by 2050 using the technologies assessed. Only a fraction of that capacity would be required domestically, leaving room for participation in international carbon markets as they expand.
CSIRO Futures Associate Director and report co-author Vivek Srinivasan said the roadmap focuses on approaches that are scalable, durable, and economically sustainable. “At present, the costs associated with novel CDR are high. Nevertheless, projects in Australia and overseas are already demonstrating the viability of these technologies,” he said. “There is an opportunity to further develop a CDR industry in Australia as costs decline and demand grows.”
The report also highlights that realising this potential will depend on targeted investment in technology, infrastructure, and workforce development, supported by community partnerships and social licence. It calls for transparent engagement with local communities and Traditional Owners, equitable benefit-sharing, and culturally informed planning to ensure long-term success and legitimacy.
According to CSIRO, collaboration between government, industry, researchers, and international partners will be essential to accelerate the development of this emerging sector. The roadmap was produced with support from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Google, Geoscience Australia, and the state governments of South Australia, Western Australia, and New South Wales.
The document builds on decades of CSIRO research into carbon management and provides a framework to guide the responsible development of a novel CDR industry that complements Australia’s broader climate and energy transition.
The full report, Australian Carbon Dioxide Removal Roadmap, and further information about the CarbonLock initiative are available via CSIRO.
