How to choose CDR?

What makes a good CDR purchase? There are a few non-negotiables that must be met to be listed in our directory. To navigate the other aspects we have created a simple rating system for our directory, described below.

Non-negotiables

• It’s removal, not avoidance. You’re paying for CO₂ pulled from the atmosphere and put into long-lived storage. Avoided-emission or afforestation credits are different instruments. (Isometric)
• Durability / permanence. Look for storage that lasts centuries or longer. The EU’s Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) uses ≥200 years as the minimum benchmark for “permanent” carbon removals; many projects target hundreds to thousands of years depending on the pathway. (European Commission)
• Robust MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification). High-quality CDR has transparent, quantitative measurement so that one credit truly equals one tonne removed. Ask to see the MRV method, uncertainty treatment, and data access. (Isometric)
• Certification & public registry, ideally by a well-known third party. Vendors should do better than only provide self-certification. Credits should be issued and retired on an independent registry under a recognized standard (see below), with unique serial numbers and public traceability. This is a core integrity expectation for carbon-crediting programs. (ICVCM)

Established certification standards

• Isometric — a carbon-removal-only standard and registry emphasizing long-duration removals and open data.
• Puro.earth — removal-focused standard (e.g., biochar, carbonated materials) with 100+ year durability criteria and a CORC200+ label aligned to emerging EU rules.
• Carbon Standards International — biochar C-sink standards and the Global C-Sink registry; evolved from the European Biochar Certificate to a global framework.
• Cascade Climate — not a crediting registry, but a respected nonprofit publishing rigorous MRV guidance and quantification frameworks (e.g., for enhanced rock weathering) used by practitioners and policy makers.

Tip: programs recognized under broader integrity initiatives (e.g., ICVCM’s Core Carbon Principles) signal strong governance and third-party verification processes.

Important quality criteria to check

• Additionality: Would the removal happen without carbon revenue? (It shouldn’t.) (ICVCM)
• Delivery timing & “vintage”: Prefer ex-post (already delivered) or near-term delivery, and check how the standard defines vintage (year of removal vs. issuance). (ACR)
• Reversal risk & liability: Look for long-term monitoring and safeguards (e.g., buffer pools or warranties) consistent with permanence claims. (European Commission)
• Double counting: Confirm issuance, transfer, and retirement happen on a public registry (with serial numbers). (ICVCM)
• Transparency: Ask for methodology documents, MRV reports, and uncertainty estimates. (Isometric)

How we rate offerings

Due to the different challenges and maturities of the various CDR technologies they are tough to compare, especially if we take into consideration that some technologies need an early push without immediate strong output.

Still, to provide guidance for CDR buyers we have rated the vendors in our directory in 3 rather simple categories (base requirements are described above). These ratings are based on the statements on their websites:

MRV (Monitoring, Reporting and Verification)

• A: Reliable MRV — either technically easy to measure (DAC, biochar, biomass burial) or measurements are based on an established standard (e.g. EW with Isometric) or established MRV platform (e.g. Carbonfuture)
• B: Evolving MRV technologies
• C: Not stated

Certification and certificate tracking

• A: Credit is certified and tracked by an established third party (e.g. Isometric, Puro), preferably with a public registry
• B: Credit is self-tracked
• C: Not stated

Delivery time

• A: Ex-post (CDR has already happened when bought) or up to a year
• B: Up to 3 years
• C: More than 3 years

Ratings are done as well as possible based on online available information. We do not assume any liability for these ratings. For corrections please contact info@carbon-drawdown.de.