Puro.earth has announced the issuance of over 1 million CO₂ Removal Certificates (CORCs) since its first credit issuance in 2019, marking a significant milestone in the growth of the carbon removal market. This represents 1 million tonnes of verified carbon dioxide removal (CDR), highlighting the increasing demand for engineered carbon removal solutions.
The time taken to reach 500,000 issued CORCs in early 2024 was nearly five years. However, the number doubled within a year, hitting 1 million in early 2025. At the current rate of issuance, Puro.earth is expected to match this milestone again before mid-2026.
“Reaching one million of CO₂ removals is just the beginning—our goal is to continue to use our expertise and track record to deliver proven, scalable and high-quality carbon removal credits. The next million is already within reach, and we will continue to ensure that businesses worldwide have access to trusted, verifiable carbon removal credits at scale,” said Jan-Willem Bode, President, Puro.earth.
Of the 1 million CORCs issued, 52% have already been retired, meaning over 576,000 tonnes of CO₂ have been claimed by buyers. The main carbon removal methodologies supporting this growth include Geologically Stored Carbon (GSC), such as Direct Air Capture Carbon and Storage (DACCS) and Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), accounting for 34.3% of total issuances. Biochar-based removals make up 34.1%, both recognised for their scalability and measurable impact.
The United States leads in issuance volume, contributing 45% of total CORCs, reflecting a strong presence of carbon removal projects and suppliers in the region. Other key markets include Finland (9.87%), Bolivia (9.64%), and Brazil (9.15%), with additional issuances from Austria, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
The expansion of carbon removal has been driven by early-stage buyers, with Microsoft, Google, and Frontier Buyers playing a key role in advancing durable CDR technologies. These companies have helped de-risk investments, enabling suppliers to scale operations. As the market develops, further demand is expected from hard-to-abate sectors, including aviation, construction, steel, shipping, and chemicals.
Growing interest from industrial buyers is already evident. A recent four-year, 200,000-tonne transaction between SkiesFifty and Gigablue, a Puro.earth supplier, highlights the sector’s increasing role in supporting large-scale carbon removal.
The milestone reflects a collective effort between suppliers, investors, and corporate buyers working to expand the carbon removal market.
“We want to thank the key players that have come together to build the CDR market with us: the courageous investors who ventured into the unknown, the pioneering entrepreneurs who chose innovation over business-as-usual, and the forward-thinking buyers whose commitments make everything move,” said Antti Vihavainen, Vice Chairman, Puro.earth.
Adrian Siegrist, Chief Commercial Officer at Climeworks, acknowledged the role of transparent carbon removal platforms in advancing the market: “Puro.earth has been instrumental in accelerating the carbon removal market by providing a trusted platform for transparent and credible carbon removal credits at scale. Reaching this milestone is a testament to the growing momentum of durable carbon removal, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Puro.earth to scale impact even further with Climeworks Solutions—our portfolio of high-quality, permanent carbon removal offerings.”
The continued expansion of engineered carbon removals highlights the growing recognition of long-term carbon sequestration as a necessary tool in meeting global climate commitments.
