(SeaPRwire) –   Research of corporate leaders, commissioned by the Carbon Business Council, provides new insights about business approaches to carbon removal

BRUSSELS, May 19, 2026 — New research from the Carbon Business Council indicates that while companies view carbon dioxide removal (CDR) as crucial for achieving net zero, they are delaying investments due to a lack of clarity in policy and reporting standards, resulting in a “wait-and-see” market.

This data, gathered from in-depth interviews with senior sustainability executives at Fortune 1,000 companies in the UK, US, Germany, and France—all with net zero commitments but no established carbon removal purchasing strategies—reveals that companies consider carbon removals vital for net zero goals. However, they require clear policy frameworks to justify significant near-term investments. Bellwether Research led this study.

Policy was identified as a primary obstacle to action. Companies expressed concerns that carbon removal credits purchased now might not be recognized under future reporting or regulatory frameworks. In Europe, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Green Claims Directive created notable uncertainty. In the US, respondents cited political instability and the absence of clear federal guidance as reasons for a delayed approach.

Many companies suggested that mandatory purchasing requirements, even at low initial volumes, would be a highly effective method for establishing a predictable and stable market signal for the CDR industry. Additionally, companies highlighted financial incentives, such as tax relief and subsidy programs similar to those for solar and wind energy, as important tools for enhancing cost competitiveness and fostering early market growth.

“Clearer rules and guidance are needed to accelerate action and drive future supply,” said Ben Rubin, Executive Director of the Carbon Business Council. “Policy leadership can support earlier, more consistent private sector investment, which will mobilize the capital needed to scale carbon removal in the near-term.”

The study found that both government policy and corporate frameworks play distinct roles in stimulating CDR investment across the surveyed countries. Governments establish the necessary conditions through targets, regulations, and incentives. However, frameworks like the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are increasingly influential in shaping corporate behavior, defining credible climate action, integrating expectations into strategy and disclosure, and ultimately generating the demand signals that transform ambition into investment.

With upcoming updates to the EU Emissions Trading System and the Science Based Targets initiative’s Corporate Net Zero Standard this year, the opportunity for policy leadership is present. Early policy clarity and demand signals will be critical in determining the speed at which carbon removal can transition from an emerging market to an established climate solution.

Notes To Editors

The carbon removal market is experiencing rapid growth, with billions of dollars invested by both public and private sectors, as it gains recognition as a vital and reliable tool for mitigating global warming. This study was conducted to evaluate the integrity and scalability of emerging approaches amidst market expansion and increasing demand for credible, high-quality solutions.

About the research

• The research aimed to understand how large corporations with net zero commitments are approaching carbon removal, the factors hindering their current purchasing decisions, and the policy and market signals that would encourage earlier action.
• Interviews were conducted in February and March 2026 with 25 sustainability leaders from Fortune 1,000 companies across the financial services, transport, retail, automotive, construction, and chemicals sectors. Responses were provided confidentially and reported anonymously.

About The Carbon Business Council
The Carbon Business Council (CO2BC) is a coalition representing over 100 carbon management organizations involved in all major carbon removal pathways, united by the goal of building a more prosperous planet. Our coalition fosters market development across sectors and continents through ecosystem building, policy engagement, and public affairs.

SOURCE Carbon Business Council