As the global air transport industry races toward its net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050, carbon dioxide removals (CDR) are emerging as a critical solution to address residual emissions that cannot be fully eliminated.
A new guide published in August 2025 by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), with input from direct air capture (DAC) specialist Climeworks, outlines how this nascent market is developing and what role aviation can play in shaping its future.
CDR technologies—ranging from DAC to bio-based solutions—not only help remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere but also support sustainable aviation fuel production by supplying captured CO2 for power-to-liquid (PtL) processes.
Relevant: New Study Looks Into The Role Of DAC Technology In Sustainable Aviation
Despite its potential, CDR remains in early stages of commercialization and faces questions about its scalability, regulatory alignment, and cost-effectiveness.
The report provides clarity on how CDR differs from other mitigation tools—both technically and from a policy standpoint.
It also explains how CDR credits are created, certified, and traded, and presents data showing a general upward trend in market activity.
However, it notes that credit deliveries still vary significantly by technology type.
Read more: Gold Standard And Verra Introduce Insurance Criteria For CORSIA Carbon Credits
Key stakeholders in the CDR ecosystem include not just airlines and technology providers, but also regulators, financiers, and carbon marketplaces.
Their collaboration will be vital in overcoming current barriers and realizing new opportunities.
Looking ahead, IATA stresses that continued growth of the CDR market will require coordinated support from across the aviation value chain.
