As a society, we could be removing much more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than we do today.
At CRSI, we work with policymakers, regulators, researchers, and businesses to activate the underlying carbon removal potential of existing infrastructure.
To realize the potential of carbon removal, we need to:
1Find opportunities for carbon removal within existing industries and infrastructure
2Match those opportunities to the right policy support mechanisms
3Make sure we have the standards and tools to measure any resulting carbon removal
We call this framework for integrated CDR policy Find-Match-Measure and it provides the backbone for all of our programmatic work.
How we work
CRSI provides the technical infrastructure for the integration of carbon removal solutions across society, including guidance on fit-for-purpose quantification.
Specifically, we:
Bridge knowledge gaps between CDR and other industries
We gather and synthesize information — from carbon removal quantification resources to policy documentation — to identify gaps in our understanding of integrated CDR solutions and fill those gaps with data and evidence from other sectors where possible.
Provide technical guidance to policymakers and regulators
We translate CDR science and industry insights to help policymakers and NGOs create effective carbon removal policy. This includes proactive and reactive policy work, from building coalitions to responding to public consultations.
Catalyze research at nonprofits and universities
If questions remain before effective policies can be implemented, we drive that research forward alongside our partners. We will support the design and execution of studies, publish peer-reviewed articles, and participate in academic convenings. We will also help connect funding to priority research projects.
Our North Star
Carbon removal is a tool for climate justice. Justice requires accountability and justice in carbon removal requires the ability to rigorously count the carbon.
Meet the Team
Anu Khan
Founder and Executive Director
Emily Reich
Chief of Staff
Lucia D. Simonelli, PhD
Director of Programs
Beck Woollen
Research Associate
Project Partners
David Darmon, PhD
Statistical Design
Gabby Kitch, PhD
Coastal Resilience
Jonathan Lambert, PhD
Quantification Resources
Jesper Suhrhoff, PhD
Enhanced Weathering
Elizabeth Troein, PhD
Quantification Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is CRSI set up and funded?
The Carbon Removal Standards Initiative is a fiscally sponsored nonprofit project of Multiplier.
We are funded by philanthropic donors, both individuals and foundations. Our work is independent from financial incentives and wholly decoupled from the sale of carbon credits.
CRSI does not accept funds from organizations whose core business involves buying, selling, or verifying carbon credits, or those that depend on revenue from trading carbon credits.
How do you work with stakeholders across the CDR ecosystem?
We work with a broad range of partners, including entrepreneurs, NGOs, scientists, and policymakers. Key to our work is understanding the state of CDR science and global policy, and partnering with various stakeholders to advance necessary technical assistance, research, and legislation.
We are eager to collaborate and make policy, integration, and quantification resources easily accessible to policymakers and the public through our C-QuIP Database.
How do you work with industry?
We work directly with carbon removal suppliers, buyers, and market enablers to understand what is technically feasible in the CDR industry today, leveraging industry partners’ direct experience with deployments.
But financial independence is extremely important for the integrity of our work. We don’t benefit financially from the sale of carbon credits or growth in the carbon removal industry.
Do you only work on US policy?
We operate under the rules of US-based nonprofit organizations, but our work reaches beyond US federal policy.
For example, our work on enhanced weathering draws on agricultural policies from Canada, India, Brazil, and Kenya, among other countries. We are also involved in multilateral efforts to support CDR standards and integration, including the upcoming 2027 IPCC Methodology Report on CDR and CCUS.
Our Integrity Commitment
At the Carbon Removal Standards Initiative, we make decisions grounded in objectivity and impact. Programmatic or funding decisions are guided by where we believe we can best fulfill our mission—not by personal bias or preference. We do not accept funds from organizations whose core business involves buying, selling, or verifying carbon credits, or those that depend on revenue from trading carbon credits. We carefully select our funders based on their track record and alignment with our values, supporting only those whose past work reflects a commitment to integrity.