Carbon Removal Credits: Prices, Types & How to Buy

Carbon removal credits let organisations pay for tonnes of CO₂ that have been taken out of the atmosphere and stored. As net-zero standards tighten, they have moved from a niche purchase to a core part of corporate climate strategy. This guide explains what they are, what durable removal costs in 2026, and how to judge quality before you buy.

What is a carbon removal credit?

A carbon removal credit represents one tonne of CO₂ that a project has physically removed from the air and stored, with the claim checked by an independent party and recorded on a public registry. Methods include direct air capture, biochar, enhanced rock weathering, BECCS and nature-based removal. For the wider picture, read our carbon dioxide removal guide.

Carbon removal credits vs. carbon offsets

Many traditional offsets pay for emissions that were avoided, such as protecting a forest that might otherwise have been cut. Removal credits pay for CO₂ that has actually been taken out of the atmosphere. The difference matters because net-zero frameworks increasingly expect removals, not avoidance, to be used against a company's residual emissions.

How much do carbon removal credits cost in 2026?

Prices vary widely by method and by how long the carbon stays stored. Indicative 2026 ranges published by the carbon removal marketplace Senken:

• Biochar: roughly €105–€200 per tonne
• Enhanced rock weathering: roughly €185–€300 per tonne
• Direct air capture: the top of the range, commonly several hundred euros per tonne or more
• Afforestation and reforestation: typically tens of euros per tonne, with shorter and less certain storage

Treat these as a starting point. Quotes depend on volume, delivery date and contract length.

What the 2026 pricing survey tells buyers

The CDR.fyi and OPIS durable CDR pricing survey asked buyers and suppliers where prices are heading. Its main findings:

• The gap between what buyers call expensive and what suppliers need narrowed from an average of $107 per tonne last year to $98 per tonne in 2026.
• Neither side expects durable removal to broadly reach $100 per tonne by 2030.
• The biggest obstacles to closing deals are price against internal budgets, a lack of policy or compliance incentives, and delivery risk.
• Buyers and suppliers agreed on the core requirements: 100-year permanence, supplier transparency and a proven track record.

How to judge the quality of a removal credit

• Permanence: how long the carbon is stored, and what happens if it is released.
• Net removal: whether the project's own emissions have been subtracted.
• Measurement and verification: how the tonnes are measured and who checks them.
• Registry and standard: whether credits are issued on a public registry with a published methodology.
• Delivery risk: whether the supplier has delivered before, especially if you are buying future tonnes.
• Transparency: clear reporting on the project, its location and its storage.

Standards, registries and reporting

Registries such as Puro.earth, Isometric and Verra issue and track removal credits. Puro.earth, for example, issues CO₂ Removal Certificates (CORCs) for durable removal in a public registry. Corporate frameworks such as the SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard expect removals to be used for residual emissions after deep reductions, and EU companies may need to report them under CSRD. Rules are still evolving, so confirm what applies to your organisation.

How companies buy removal credits

Buyers typically choose between spot purchases, multi-year offtake agreements and pooled programmes. Frontier, an advance market commitment to buy more than $1 billion of permanent carbon removal by 2030, is one example of the pooled approach. You can see how large buyers approach it in our profiles of Stripe, Shopify and Microsoft.

FAQ

What is the difference between a removal credit and an offset?

An offset can fund avoided emissions. A removal credit funds CO₂ that has been taken out of the atmosphere and stored.

Can small companies buy carbon removal credits?

Yes. Many suppliers and marketplaces sell smaller volumes, and you do not need to build any infrastructure yourself.

Do removal credits replace emission cuts?

No. Credible net-zero plans cut emissions first and use removals for what remains. See our CDR guide for how the two fit together.

Looking to fund permanent removal? Explore Sirona's Remove CO₂ projects.

Sources

• CDR.fyi: 2026 durable CDR pricing survey
• Senken: carbon credit prices in 2026
• Frontier: advance market commitment launch

Price ranges reviewed October 2026.