Climeworks delivers third-party verified CDR services to its first corporate customers, based on first and only validated DAC+S methodology

Key take-aways

• Climeworks provides third-party verified CDR services, performed at Orca, to its first corporate customers: Microsoft, Shopify and Stripe. Climeworks CDR services were verified by DNV, an independent quality and assurance leader, after a successful audit.
• The verification is based on a rigorous direct air capture & storage (DAC+S) methodology, which was co-developed by Climeworks and Carbfix, and validated by DNV in 2022 (downloadable here). Verification means that DNV confirms Climeworks CDR services performed at Orca followed this methodology, and that the removals were properly measured and reported.
• Climeworks’ track record in technology deployment made the delivery of verified CDR services possible: Climeworks has put more than 15 projects into operation across Europe, including Orca, the world’s only commercial DAC+S plant. The resulting field experience enabled the creation and implementation of the methodology, leading to the world’s first third-party verification of CDR services via DAC+S.
• Delivering third-party verified CDR services is also an important achievement for the DAC industry more broadly: DAC needs to scale drastically over the coming decades, and industry-wide standards are needed to build the trust that is required for this to happen. Climeworks hopes to lead as an example for peers, customers and policy makers alike that are committed to climate action.

The duality of scaling both operations and standards

Climeworks recognizes this path as the right one for the entire CDR market. There is no doubt that high-integrity standards will be catalytic – and ultimately enforced – to build and operate the market successfully on gigaton scale. Climeworks is determined to show that it is possible, and believes it is necessary, to scale operations and standards at the same time, not sequentially.

High-integrity standards as a prerequisite for trust

“To stay within the limits of the Paris Agreement, the scale-up of global DAC capacities must happen fast. To do so we need to continue to ensure trust in carbon removal, the DAC industry and the carbon market. Clear definitions and industry standards of what CDR is as well as clear rules on key criteria such as durability, additionality, and measurability are needed. At Climeworks, we strive for the highest integrity by setting and following stringent standards to earn this trust, and the performance of our first verified CDR services are another proof point of this. We want to lead by example and to be a reliable partner to customers and policymakers”, comments Christoph Beuttler, Chief Climate Policy Officer at Climeworks.

DNV verifies Climeworks CDR Services performed at Orca followed the previously validated methodology, and that the removals were properly measured and reported. DNV confirms that the CDR allocated to a customer cannot be double-counted and matches with performed and available quantities of verified Climeworks CDR Services. This accuracy is confirmed to the customer in two ways: via Climeworks CDR Services Delivery Note as well as DNV’s delivery certificate.

Delivering on the commitment to our customers

Corporate climate leaders have led the way in catalyzing the CDR industry and Climeworks is proud of delivering on its commitment to them. Climeworks’ verified CDR services were provided to some of its first large, corporate customers.

Climeworks will continue to work on achieving the highest possible integrity for its solutions and welcomes public and industry experts to contribute to the conversation by reaching out at [email protected].  

Editor's note: The content of this page was edited on May 8, 2023

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