Getting started with carbon dioxide removal procurement today

This playbook provides practical guidance for companies looking to begin their carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credit procurement journey. Designed for sustainability, procurement, finance and climate strategy teams, it helps organizations build the business case for action, design an initial CDR portfolio and execute their first pilot purchase.

Why this playbook matters

Standards, policy frameworks and corporate net-zero strategies are increasingly recognizing the role nature-based and engineered carbon dioxide removal credits will play in addressing residual emissions and supporting the achievement of net zero. Companies therefore face important decisions around timing, procurement strategy, governance and portfolio design.

Many organizations are asking:

• How do we build the business case for CDR internally?
• What volumes of carbon removal will we need? How do we balance removals alongside emissions reductions?
• Which removal pathways should we include in our portfolio?
• How can we manage risk when entering a new market?
• What is the most effective way to make a first purchase?

This playbook helps answer those questions and provides practical frameworks, examples and tools drawn from companies already participating in the CDR market.

How to use the playbook

The playbook is designed to support companies throughout their initial CDR procurement journey, from developing an internal strategy to executing a first pilot purchase.

It can be used to:

• Build a business case for why companies may wish to begin procuring carbon dioxide removal credits today.
• Estimate initial procurement volumes based on climate goals, net-zero strategies and potential future requirements.
• Explore financing approaches and budget allocation mechanisms for carbon removal procurement.
• Compare procurement models, including spot purchases, forward offtake agreements and direct investments.
• Assess different routes to market, including direct sourcing, intermediaries and buyer coalitions.
• Align sustainability, procurement, finance, legal and executive stakeholders around a shared carbon removal strategy.
• Develop and execute a structured first pilot purchase through a practical implementation roadmap.

This publication was developed together with Climeworks Solutions.