The 50-hour course examines the science of the global carbon cycle and the mechanics of CO2 removal technologies including direct air capture and enhanced rock weathering. Participants study the environmental, economic, and societal trade-offs of various carbon removal strategies.
A 2025 whitepaper from Carbon Gap projects that the European Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) sector will become a EUR 220 billion annual market, supporting 670,000 high-quality jobs by 2050. The course was developed with contributions from industries, government agencies, and NGOs to enhance the skills of professionals tasked with addressing climate change. Experts warn that achieving climate targets will not be possible without deploying large-scale carbon removal solutions.
Dr Mijndert van der Spek, associate professor and course lead, emphasized the need for formal education in this field. "We're incredibly proud to pioneer this course," said Dr van der Spek.
"For years we've been advancing carbon dioxide removal technologies, but there's been little formal education for professionals who want to transition into this vital field. CDR is essential if we're serious about meeting our climate goals and we need a workforce ready to build an industry even larger than oil and gas. Whether you're in government, industry, or finance, this course gives you a comprehensive understanding of what carbon removal involves, from technology and systems thinking to policy and implementation. What excites me most is knowing that by growing this community, we're helping people contribute directly to solving the climate crisis."
The curriculum allows students worldwide to enroll with flexible timing and includes reduced pricing for those from emerging economies.
Chris Sherwood, Secretary General of the Negative Emissions Platform in Brussels, welcomed the initiative: "It's exciting to see that leading universities are recognising the importance of carbon dioxide removals and preparing to equip a new generation of climate entrepreneurs who will lead the growth of a powerful new green economy," he said.
The rise in atmospheric CO2 results mainly from the burning of fossil fuels and large-scale land-use changes. Excess CO2 intensifies the greenhouse effect, causing significant climate disruption. Long-term storage challenges and operational costs remain barriers for CO2 removal, and skilled professionals are required to address these obstacles and achieve climate goals.
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