CMCC and Politecnico di Milano will host the 4th International Conference on Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) on June 10–12, 2026, in Milan, Italy. The conference provides a platform for a vibrant global network of scholars and practitioners working to better understand the opportunities, risks, and governance challenges associated with carbon removal.

Stabilizing the climate not only requires emission reductions as soon as possible, but also depends upon our ability to remove CO2 from the atmosphere to remedy climate overshoot. In this field, new science is emerging not only in the areas of fundamental research on carbon capture and storage, but also on systematic advances that allow for the uptake of these technologies. Putting state of the art technology, science and innovation at the service of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is a key component of any net zero future and the core goal of the CDR Conference, where novel approaches to CDR governance and policy frameworks will also be presented.

This is because CDR is not just a technical and scientific topic that concerns insiders, but an issue that will have an ever larger impact on social, economic and environmental issues. The possibilities, strategies and ideas that will be explored by leading experts at the conference have the power to shape our future.

Why CDR

As the world confronts the mounting challenge of limiting global warming, CDR has moved from the margins of climate science to a key issue in climate action. CDR strategies – from nature-based solutions to technological approaches – are now recognised as essential complements to deep emissions cuts in credible net-zero and net-negative emissions pathways; with numerous governments and private companies starting to funnel investments to develop CDR strategies and technologies.

The diversity of CDR options provides a unique set of challenges and opportunities for countries to meet their climate targets: The sheer scale of required CDR brings new risks to sustainability of ecosystems on land and in the ocean, while technological innovations in novel CDR can circumvent historical limitations imposed by decarbonization in hard-to-abate sectors.

“We are thrilled to host this event in Milan; CMCC and Politecnico di Milano are leading research institutions on both technology, climate science, impacts and solutions. As frontrunners in the debate around CDR, having edited the first special issue on the topic thirteen years ago, we believe more and better science is needed to support robust decisions,” says Massimo Tavoni, principal scientist CMCC where he is Director of the European Institute on Economics and the Environment, and Professor of Climate and Economy at Politecnico di Milano.

“CDR provides an opportunity to broaden the scope of climate change mitigation efforts and make them more inclusive. Through the enhancement of natural processes and the development of industrial methods for carbon capture, transport, and storage, more countries and communities can participate and benefit from a new era of sustainable economic growth,” says Soheil Shayegh, Director of the Integration of the planetary & industrial carbon cycle program at CMCC.

Discover the full agenda here.

Organizers

CMCC Foundation is a leading international research institution dedicated to climate science, advancing climate modelling, forecasting, and policy recommendations in close collaboration with global partners.

Politecnico di Milano has grown into Italy’s largest scientific and technological university, combining scientific rigour with creativity, innovation, and a strong international outlook.

The UPTAKE project, coordinated by CMCC and funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme (Grant Agreement No. 101081521), aims to develop resilient CDR strategies grounded in robust scientific evidence.