System and Capacity Enablers
Build the foundations.
43 levers in this family
Beyond market design and investment, carbon removal requires infrastructure and logistics. That takes pipelines and ports, permits and geologists, welders and verifiers, and a state with a clear strategy. No demand signal, however loud, conjures a CO₂ pipeline into existence, and a removal plant with nowhere to send its carbon is an expensive sculpture.
This category builds the load-bearing structure.
- Infrastructure development covers the physical spine: cross-border CO₂ networks, storage capacity mandates, shared hubs, and the permitting reform without which everything else queues for a decade.
- Skills and employment builds the human capital: training and reskilling programmes that turn oil-and-gas expertise into storage expertise, and the knowledge networks that stop every project from relearning the same lessons at full price.
- RD&I support keeps the technology frontier moving: roadmaps, hubs, accelerators, prizes and regulatory sandboxes that let the next generation of methods prove themselves.
- Strategic integration ties it together: dedicated national CDR strategies, industrial integration, and the state-aid clarity that lets governments actually spend what they have promised.
- Resource and ocean governance settles who owns the underground and the sea: pore-space rights, spatial designations and the marine rules that decide where storage and ocean-based methods may operate at all.
Countries that combine these elements will be positioned to host carbon removal activity; those that wait will be left to buy services from those that moved first.
Sub-family (Select One)
Governance Level (Select One)
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
10 levers
Cross-Border CO₂ Networks
Coordinated legal and technical rules letting CO₂ pipelines cross national borders.
Cost
Medium to Very high
Complexity
Medium to Very high
Timeline
Short to Long
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–2Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–2Social & Environmental Safeguards
1–3Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
3–4Inputs & Capacity
N/ADemand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
2–4Policy Architecture & Coordination
2–3
Permitting Process Streamlining
Reorganising how permitting authorities receive and decide project applications.
Cost
Very low to Medium
Complexity
Low to High
Timeline
Very short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–2Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–2Social & Environmental Safeguards
1–3Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
1–3Inputs & Capacity
1–2Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
2–3Policy Architecture & Coordination
2–4
Infrastructure Hubs
A shared site bringing electricity, water and CO₂ transport together for several users.
Cost
Medium to Very high
Complexity
Medium to High
Timeline
Medium to Long
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–2Innovation & Cost Reduction
2–3Social & Environmental Safeguards
2–3Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
3–4Inputs & Capacity
2–3Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
2–4Policy Architecture & Coordination
2–3
Mandatory CO₂ Storage Capacity Target
A legal requirement to provide enough permitted CO₂ storage capacity by a deadline.
Cost
Very low to Low
Complexity
Medium to High
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
N/ASocial & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
2–4Inputs & Capacity
N/ADemand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
2–3Policy Architecture & Coordination
2–3
Public CDR Resource Surveys and Atlases
Publicly funded surveys mapping where CDR materials and storage resources exist.
Cost
Very low to High
Complexity
Low to Medium
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–2Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–2Social & Environmental Safeguards
1–2Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
1–3Inputs & Capacity
1–2Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
1–3Policy Architecture & Coordination
1–2
Economic Regulation and Open Access for CO₂ Infrastructure
Regulating a monopoly CO₂ pipeline or storage route's access and prices.
Cost
Very low to Medium
Complexity
Low to High
Timeline
Short to Long
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–2Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–2Social & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
2–4Inputs & Capacity
N/ADemand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
2–4Policy Architecture & Coordination
2–3
Infrastructure Repurposing Frameworks
A legal route for converting oil and gas assets to CO₂ transport or storage.
Cost
Very low to Medium
Complexity
Low to High
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–2Innovation & Cost Reduction
N/ASocial & Environmental Safeguards
2–3Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
2–4Inputs & Capacity
N/ADemand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
2–3Policy Architecture & Coordination
3–4
Special Economic Zone and Freeport Designation
A designated area offering coordinated tax and investment support for qualifying businesses.
Cost
Low to High
Complexity
Low to High
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–2Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–2Social & Environmental Safeguards
1–2Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
1–3Inputs & Capacity
2–3Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
1–3Policy Architecture & Coordination
2–3
Electricity Connection and Flexible Network Access
Reformed grid-connection rules that replace inactive queues with readiness milestones.
Cost
Low to Medium
Complexity
Low to High
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
1–2Social & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
2–3Inputs & Capacity
N/ADemand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
1–3Policy Architecture & Coordination
2–3
Direct Clean-Electricity Purchasing Rights
The right for eligible consumers to buy power directly from independent generators.
Cost
Low to Medium
Complexity
Low to High
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
N/ASocial & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
2–4Inputs & Capacity
N/ADemand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
1–3Policy Architecture & Coordination
2–3SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT
6 levers
Public Advisory and Extension Services for Land-Based CDR
Free or subsidised impartial advice helping land managers adopt removal practices.
Cost
Low to Medium
Complexity
Low to Medium
Timeline
Very short to Short
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–2Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–2Social & Environmental Safeguards
1–3Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
2–3Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
N/APolicy Architecture & Coordination
1
Training and Reskilling Programmes
Publicly supported training helping workers gain occupational skills for CDR industries.
Cost
Very low to Medium
Complexity
Very low to Medium
Timeline
Very short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–2Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–2Social & Environmental Safeguards
1–3Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
2–4Demand Formation
1–2Bankability and Cost of Capital
N/APolicy Architecture & Coordination
1–2
Knowledge Sharing Networks
A continuing forum where CDR practitioners learn from one another's work.
Cost
Very low to Low
Complexity
Very low to Medium
Timeline
Very short to Short
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–2Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–3Social & Environmental Safeguards
1–2Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
2–3Demand Formation
1–2Bankability and Cost of Capital
1–2Policy Architecture & Coordination
1–2
Talent and Migration Channels
Adapted skilled-worker immigration routes for CDR and carbon-management industries.
Cost
Very low to Low
Complexity
Low to Medium
Timeline
Very short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
1–2Social & Environmental Safeguards
1–2Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
2–4Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
N/APolicy Architecture & Coordination
1–2
Public Employment Schemes for Land-Based CDR
A public programme offering paid work on land-based removal activities.
Cost
Low to High
Complexity
Medium to High
Timeline
Very short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–2Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–2Social & Environmental Safeguards
2–3Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
2–3Demand Formation
1–3Bankability and Cost of Capital
1–2Policy Architecture & Coordination
2–3
International Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
Funded expertise and training helping a recipient country administer CDR policy.
Cost
Low to Medium
Complexity
Medium
Timeline
Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
2–4Innovation & Cost Reduction
N/ASocial & Environmental Safeguards
1–3Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
3–4Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
N/APolicy Architecture & Coordination
3–4RD&I SUPPORT
11 levers
CDR RD&I roadmaps
An official plan sequencing which CDR research gaps to address and when.
Cost
Very low to Low
Complexity
Low to Medium
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
2–3Social & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
N/ADemand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
N/APolicy Architecture & Coordination
2–4
Shared CDR Research and Testing Hubs
A shared facility where multiple teams use common CDR laboratories and field sites.
Cost
Medium to High
Complexity
Medium to High
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
3–4Social & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
1–3Inputs & Capacity
2–4Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
1–2Policy Architecture & Coordination
N/A
Facilitated Technology Transfer and Collective Licensing
Support helping a company secure rights and knowledge to use another firm's technology.
Cost
Very low to Low
Complexity
Low to Medium
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
2–4Social & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
2–3Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
1–2Policy Architecture & Coordination
1–3
CDR Venture Accelerator Programmes
A commissioned accelerator turning promising removal concepts into viable companies.
Cost
Very low to Low
Complexity
Low to Medium
Timeline
Very short to Short
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
2–3Social & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
1–3Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
1–3Policy Architecture & Coordination
N/A
Challenge prizes
A promised financial reward for the first team to achieve a defined result.
Cost
Low to Medium
Complexity
Low to Medium
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–3Innovation & Cost Reduction
2–4Social & Environmental Safeguards
1–2Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
1–2Demand Formation
1–2Bankability and Cost of Capital
1–3Policy Architecture & Coordination
N/A
Regulatory sandboxes
A supervised real-world trial letting selected organisations test technology outside standard rules.
Cost
Very low to Low
Complexity
Medium to High
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–3Innovation & Cost Reduction
2–3Social & Environmental Safeguards
1–2Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
N/ADemand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
N/APolicy Architecture & Coordination
2–3
ARPA-Style High-Risk Research Programmes
Fixed-term programme directors pursuing high-risk CDR research with unusual freedom.
Cost
Medium to High
Complexity
Medium to High
Timeline
Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
3–4Social & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
2–4Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
1–2Policy Architecture & Coordination
1–3
Neglected CDR Method Designation
Official status making an underfunded but promising CDR method eligible for extra support.
Cost
Very low to Low
Complexity
Medium
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
1–2Social & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
N/ADemand Formation
1–2Bankability and Cost of Capital
N/APolicy Architecture & Coordination
2–3
Statutory CDR Industry Levy and Board
A legal charge on CDR market activity funding a jointly governed industry board.
Cost
Low to Medium
Complexity
Medium
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–3Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–3Social & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
1–3Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
N/APolicy Architecture & Coordination
2–3
Access Conditions for Publicly Funded CDR Knowledge and IP
Conditions on CDR grants requiring wider access to the resulting knowledge or IP.
Cost
Very low
Complexity
Low to Medium
Timeline
Short
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–3Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–3Social & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
1–2Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
N/APolicy Architecture & Coordination
1–2
Mandatory Agency Innovation Allocations
A legal requirement that public agencies reserve budget share for qualifying innovation.
Cost
Low to High
Complexity
Medium to High
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–2Innovation & Cost Reduction
2–3Social & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
2–3Demand Formation
1–2Bankability and Cost of Capital
1–3Policy Architecture & Coordination
2–3STRATEGIC INTEGRATION
5 levers
Whole-of-Government CDR Strategy
An official plan defining removals' role in climate policy across government.
Cost
Very low to Low
Complexity
Low to Medium
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
N/ASocial & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
N/ADemand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
N/APolicy Architecture & Coordination
2–4
Corporate Integration of CDR into Production and Value Chains
Companies adding carbon removal directly into how they produce goods and services.
Cost
Very low to High
Complexity
Low to High
Timeline
Very short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–2Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–3Social & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
1–2Inputs & Capacity
1–3Demand Formation
1–3Bankability and Cost of Capital
1–2Policy Architecture & Coordination
N/A
Subsidy-Control and State-Aid Guidance
A published framework explaining when public support for CDR is legally permissible.
Cost
Very low
Complexity
Low to Medium
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
N/ASocial & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
N/ADemand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
1–3Policy Architecture & Coordination
3–4
Climate Budgeting with CDR Measures
Bringing climate targets, including CDR, into the annual public budget process.
Cost
Very low to Low
Complexity
Low to Medium
Timeline
Short
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
N/ASocial & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
N/ADemand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
N/APolicy Architecture & Coordination
2–4
Industrial Mobilisation Powers
Special legal powers giving essential projects priority for scarce equipment and funding.
Cost
Very low to High
Complexity
Low to High
Timeline
Very short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
1–3Social & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
1–3Inputs & Capacity
2–4Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
1–3Policy Architecture & Coordination
2–3RESOURCE AND OCEAN GOVERNANCE
5 levers
Land-Based Carbon Rights and Enduring Land Obligations
Legal rules on who may run a land-based carbon project and how its duties survive ownership changes.
Cost
Very low to Medium
Complexity
Low to High
Timeline
Very short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
2–3Innovation & Cost Reduction
N/ASocial & Environmental Safeguards
2–3Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
2–3Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
2–3Policy Architecture & Coordination
2–3
Land-Leasing Intermediaries for CDR
A commissioned intermediary bringing private land parcels into coordinated CDR leases.
Cost
Very low to Medium
Complexity
Medium to High
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–2Innovation & Cost Reduction
N/ASocial & Environmental Safeguards
1–3Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
2–3Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
1–3Policy Architecture & Coordination
2–3
Pore-Space Ownership and Site-Assembly Laws
A law establishing ownership of underground rock spaces used for carbon storage.
Cost
Very low to Low
Complexity
Medium to High
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
N/ASocial & Environmental Safeguards
1–3Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
2–4Inputs & Capacity
N/ADemand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
2–4Policy Architecture & Coordination
3–4
Marine Spatial Planning and Seabed Allocation
Government planning of where offshore CDR activities may locate and gaining rights to use them.
Cost
Very low to Medium
Complexity
Medium to High
Timeline
Short to Long
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
N/ASocial & Environmental Safeguards
2–4Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
2–3Inputs & Capacity
2–3Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
1–2Policy Architecture & Coordination
3–4
Marine CDR Research Rules and Permits
Rules establishing when and how an ocean CDR research experiment may proceed.
Cost
Very low to Low
Complexity
High
Timeline
Short to Very long
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
2–3Innovation & Cost Reduction
2–4Social & Environmental Safeguards
3–4Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
N/ADemand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
N/APolicy Architecture & Coordination
3–4INSTITUTIONS AND DELIVERY
6 levers
Dedicated CDR Policy Offices
A permanent government team coordinating removal policy across departments.
Cost
Very low to Low
Complexity
Low to Medium
Timeline
Very short to Short
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
N/AInnovation & Cost Reduction
N/ASocial & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
1–2Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
N/APolicy Architecture & Coordination
3–4
CDR Programme Delivery Agencies
An agency administering CDR programmes on government's behalf, from applications to payments.
Cost
Low to Medium
Complexity
Medium to High
Timeline
Short to Medium
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–3Innovation & Cost Reduction
N/ASocial & Environmental Safeguards
1–3Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
2–3Demand Formation
1–3Bankability and Cost of Capital
1–2Policy Architecture & Coordination
2–3
Establishing and Operating CDR Trade Associations
An industry-formed association representing shared CDR interests to policymakers.
Cost
Very low to Low
Complexity
Low to Medium
Timeline
Very short to Short
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–2Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–2Social & Environmental Safeguards
N/AEnergy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
1–2Demand Formation
1–2Bankability and Cost of Capital
N/APolicy Architecture & Coordination
2–3
Support for Shared CDR Sector Institutions
Funded independent organisations providing shared technical guidance and market information.
Cost
Very low to Low
Complexity
Low to Medium
Timeline
Very short to Short
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
1–3Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–2Social & Environmental Safeguards
1–2Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
2–3Demand Formation
1–2Bankability and Cost of Capital
1–2Policy Architecture & Coordination
2–3
Shared Implementation and MRV Services for Land-Based CDR
A commissioned shared service handling practical and administrative work for land-based CDR.
Cost
Very low to Medium
Complexity
Medium
Timeline
Very short to Short
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
2–3Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–2Social & Environmental Safeguards
1–3Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
2–3Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
1–2Policy Architecture & Coordination
1–3
Establishing an Intergovernmental CDR Organisation
A treaty-based international organisation with a dedicated CDR mandate and governing bodies.
Cost
Low to Medium
Complexity
High
Timeline
Medium to Long
Integrity, Transparency & MRV
2–3Innovation & Cost Reduction
1–2Social & Environmental Safeguards
1–3Energy, Transport & Storage Infrastructure
N/AInputs & Capacity
2–3Demand Formation
N/ABankability and Cost of Capital
N/APolicy Architecture & Coordination
2–3©2026 Alexander Mäkelä and Carbon Gap.
Except where otherwise indicated, this work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial–ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence.
Headline and barrier scores based on Carbon Gap analysis.