intro

CDRANet is the convener behind the Vancouver Declaration. Released in May 2025 (and provisionally named the Athens Declaration), this soft-law agreement is the first-ever international policy instrument focused specifically on carbon dioxide removal. Developed collaboratively by a group of 275 experts and institutions from around the world—spanning 20 stakeholder groups, 35 countries, and over 200 institutions—the declaration provides a science-based, action-oriented roadmap for responsible CDR implementation. It is a nonbinding agreement that complements, rather than replaces, other climate frameworks, and is intended as a practical tool for governments, institutions, and civil society to use and adapt.

why its needed

Despite growing interest and investment in CDR, no existing treaty or agreement offers a comprehensive approach to its governance, or an approach that gives governments a seat at the table. Most international frameworks either omit carbon removal entirely or treat it as an issue the marketplace alone should address. The Vancouver Declaration changes this. It places CDR at the center of a government-led climate rescue effort, and provides a structured yet flexible policy roadmap for aligning subnational, national and global government actions.

how it differs

Unlike the Paris Agreement or Kyoto Protocol, the Vancouver Declaration is not a binding treaty. It functions as a “soft-law” instrument—meant to align and guide rather than regulate. It is also unique in its breadth, covering not just targets and technologies, but ethics, finance, governance, and equity. It is a true multi-stakeholder framework designed for an evolving policy space.

two parts

The Vancouver Declaration is a high-level, values-based statement of shared principles and political intent. It affirms the need for urgent, equitable, and responsible carbon removal, much like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights framed common values before legal codification. The companion Vancouver Declaration Policy Framework is a separate and more detailed document. Also nonbinding like the declaration, the policy framework is the first draft of a policy recommendation (designed by CDRANet) to help governments, institutions, and communities turn the declaration’s principles into action. The next steps for this framework will involve getting broader global feedback and building a coalition of country and institution partners to begin building and testing the implementation framework.

TOP 10 POLICY FRAMEWORK PRIORITIES

CDR must be fully integrated into the global climate agenda—reflected in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), national strategies, and international agreements—as an essential complement to emissions reduction, both to stabilize global temperatures and eventually restore our climate to safe conditions. See also Ch. 2, Sec. 3, Art. 1 and Ch. 3, Sec. 1, Art. 1.

Governments at all levels—including through public-private partnerships—must play a central role in scaling CDR. This includes de-risking early deployment, investing in first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects, supporting enabling infrastructure, streamlining permitting, addressing legal and regulatory barriers, and embedding CDR in policy frameworks. See also Ch. 2, Sec. 2, Art. 1–2; also Ch. 2, Sec. 3, Art. 4 and Ch. 3, Sec. 1, Art. 2 and 5.

We need a coherent international framework to align standards, facilitate data sharing, enable oversight, and avoid fragmentation. Global coordination is critical for the efficiency, equity, and legitimacy of CDR. Built-in mechanisms for accountability and progress review must be core to this effort. See also Ch. 2, Sec. 1, Art. 3 and Ch. 3, Sec. 1, Art. 2–3.

Carbon removal markets must evolve from fragmented voluntary initiatives to robust, high-integrity systems—including regulated and, where feasible, mandatory mechanisms. These should prioritize real removals aligned with climate goals. Broader financial reforms (e.g., insurance, credit, public finance) must also adapt to support CDR. See also Ch. 2, Sec. 2, Art. 1–6.

A harmonized system for monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) is essential for transparency, trust, and enforcement. MRV frameworks should cover full carbon lifecycles, operate across jurisdictions, ensure data accessibility, and distinguish between emissions reductions, removals and avoidance. See also Ch. 2, Sec. 1, Art. 1 and 3; Ch. 2, Sec. 2, Art. 3; and Ch. 2, Sec. 4, Art. 3–4.

Scaling CDR can drive job creation, industrial innovation, community resilience, and sustainable development. Public and private investment should be aligned to maximize these benefits and support just economic transitions. See also Ch. 2, Sec. 2, Art. 6 and Ch. 3, Sec. 2, Art. 4.

CDR governance must weigh the risks of various approaches against the escalating risks of climate inaction. Adaptive, opportunity-aware policies are needed to safeguard against harm without slowing critical progress. See also Ch. 2, Sec. 4, Art. 1–4.

Equity must guide decisions about financing, access, and benefit-sharing. Transparent engagement with communities—especially those historically marginalized—is essential to earn public trust and ensure legitimacy in CDR development. See also Ch. 2, Sec. 4, Art. 6 and Ch. 3, Sec. 2, Art. 1 and 5.

All scientifically credible CDR methods should be eligible for support under clear, accountable rules. Policy frameworks should preserve technology neutrality while enforcing rigorous environmental and social safeguards. See also Ch. 2, Sec. 1, Art. 2–3.

CDR must supplement, not undermine, urgent efforts to cut emissions. Policies must guard against moral hazard, and prevent misleading claims about climate impact, or excessive reliance on removals or avoidance. See also Ch. 1, Sec. 2, Art. 1; Ch. 2, Sec. 2, Art. 3; and Ch. 2, Sec. 3, Art. 2.

COALITION BENEFITS

Over the long-term, governments who sign the Vancouver Declaration and partner in this effort will benefit through:

  1. Support for national and regional strategies as the coalition builds shared capacity across borders.
  2. Improved policy tools and templates, including aadaptable legal frameworks, MRV protocols, governance and public outreach templates that can be used or adapted by jurisdictions at different stages of readiness.
  3. Support for pilots and demonstration programs as coalition members develop projects that test governance principles and institutional arrangements in real-world settings.
  4. Connections to peer groups of government officials, funders, industry experts, researchers, and civil society groups who will help accelerate learning and avoid duplication.
  5. Learning and transparency through open access to workshops, convenings, best practice case studies, and platforms for shared progress tracking.

tHE VANCOUVER DECLARATION

Our world is heating rapidly, and the stable climate that has long supported human civilization is beginning to erode in ways that may soon become irreversible. Confronting this crisis responsibly requires not only deep reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, but also the urgent development of our carbon dioxide removal (CDR) capabilities.

The science is clear:

  • Over the past decade, the average near-surface temperature of our planet has risen faster and to higher levels than at any other period in recorded human history.
  • Greenhouse gases—above all, carbon dioxide—are the primary drivers of this rise. Excess carbon dioxide has accumulated in our planet’s atmosphere, and this legacy pollution will continue trapping heat for generations.
  • The impacts of increasing temperatures are already significant and will only intensify over the coming decades. Adapting to these changes will not be possible in many parts of the world.
  • Simply reducing carbon dioxide emissions will not keep temperatures from reaching catastrophic levels by the end of this century. Climate experts recognize that removing carbon dioxide is also essential.

Developing our CDR capabilities is therefore among the most consequential challenges humanity has ever faced. Yet these capabilities are still emerging, and refining and responsibly scaling them to climate-relevant levels will require significant international engagement and cooperation. It will also require decisive government engagement, given the unique abilities and historic roles of governments in rapidly scaling infrastructure systems that serve the public good.

Recognizing the urgent need for collective action, through this Declaration, we come together in common cause across borders and governments to begin addressing this challenge in earnest. Building upon and working alongside existing climate agreements and programs, we will develop and mobilize new pathways and partnerships to support the research, finance, policy, governance, infrastructure development, and other elements that responsible CDR scaling requires, and devote to this challenge the priority, resources, and focus necessary for rapid and sustainable progress.

We stand at a pivotal moment in human history—one that requires trust in science, shared responsibility, and bold, united action. Through this Declaration, we act together today so we may better protect our present, and preserve a livable future for generations yet to come.

CONFERENCE IN VANCOUVER

CDR27