Carbon180 has launched a first-of-its-kind framework for responsible carbon dioxide removal (CDR) aligned with community and ecosystem needs.
The Community-Informed, Open Access, Reviewed, and Evaluated (CORE) Carbon Removal Framework sets a clear precedent for equitable and community-centered climate action through CDR interventions that deliver meaningful outcomes for climate, ecosystems, and communities.
Having secured nearly $12 billion in funding so far, the carbon removal industry continues to evolve, with dozens of projects breaking ground worldwide.
Yet one critical piece still missing in this sector is clear definitions for how programs are built, evaluated, and held accountable. The CORE framework was created to fill exactly this gap.
Through the CORE framework, Carbon180 is establishing firm expectations for how CDR projects, funding programs, and policies should engage communities and deliver durable and measurable results.
Stemming from scientific research and years of community knowledge, CORE outlines 8 fundamental values and 11 operational practices to guide the full CDR life cycle.
The standards outlined in the framework strengthen the justice, equity, transparency, accountability, and impact of carbon removal efforts.
Key CORE framework elements include community agency mechanisms, community benefits mechanisms, full system carbon accounting, environmental health, and enforcement mechanisms.
Through these segments, the framework introduces tools for community participation and delivering benefits valuable to the involved population, stewards, and ecosystems.
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It also provides clear guidelines on measuring, verifying, and disclosing all CDR activity-related emissions to demonstrate collective net negativity, setting safeguards for the resilience and integrity of ecosystems, species, and natural resources across all activities.
CORE also establishes steps for ensuring interventions deliver on their full set of commitments and are backed by transparent oversight and binding remedies for non-compliance.
Alongside the framework, Carbon180 has also released an interactive resource hub, where users can access case studies, templates, and recommendations that put CORE into action for policymakers, developers, community members, purchasers, and funders.
The complete CORE framework can be found here.
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