> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://aetlas.gitbook.io/aetlas/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://aetlas.gitbook.io/aetlas/for-project-developers/references-and-other-guidance/essential-principles-for-high-quality-carbon-dioxide-removal.md).

# Essential Principles for High-Quality Carbon Dioxide Removal

**Introduction**

This report delineates the fundamental principles for characterizing high-quality Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) projects, distinguishing between indispensable ("must") and ideal ("should") criteria. These principles are aimed at guiding the development and implementation of CDR projects to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability across various pathways.

**Project Definition and Scope**

* **Project Definition**: A "project" encompasses a coherent set of activities focused on generating CDR credits. This definition includes components of larger activities specifically relevant to CDR credit generation.
* **Impact Consideration**: It is crucial to assess not only the quality of individual projects but also the collective environmental, social, and other impacts of a CDR portfolio at scale.

**Core Principles**

1. **Harms and Benefits**
   * **Mandatory**: Assess and mitigate risks to community health, ecosystems, and local communities. Prohibit community displacement and transparently report any harmful substances used.
   * **Recommended**: Maximize benefits to local communities and ecosystems, advancing environmental justice, climate resilience, and biodiversity protection.
2. **Environmental Justice**
   * **Mandatory**: Engage transparently with local communities, ensure fair worker compensation, and involve Indigenous groups and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
   * **Recommended**: Prioritize community benefits, articulate project advantages for underserved populations, and make public commitments to carbon reduction and clean energy transitions.
3. **Additionality and Baselines**
   * **Mandatory**: Demonstrate the necessity of carbon finance for project implementation, ensuring projects are not common practice or legally mandated.
   * **Recommended**: Provide comprehensive financial details to substantiate the project's financial additionality.
4. **Carbon Accounting & MRV**
   * **Mandatory**: Develop a credible MRV plan incorporating the best available science, use scientifically supported methods for carbon quantification, and account for uncertainties.
   * **Recommended**: Employ regionally appropriate methods for data collection, seek third-party certification for the MRV plan, and measure carbon removal directly where feasible.
5. **Durability**
   * **Mandatory**: Estimate the duration of carbon storage and plan for reversal risks, identifying liability for carbon reversal remediation.
   * **Recommended**: Site projects in low-risk areas, implement risk mitigation measures, and consider insurance-type products for risk management.
6. **Leakage**
   * **Mandatory**: Account for or demonstrate the avoidance of carbon impact leakage.
   * **Recommended**: Design projects to minimize leakage risk.

**Conclusion**

These principles provide a framework for developing CDR projects that are not only viable but also excel in delivering environmental and social benefits. By adhering to these guidelines, project developers can ensure their initiatives contribute effectively to climate change mitigation and sustainable development.