Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, has launched an unprecedented online course that directly addresses the escalating problem of excess atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂). This pioneering educational program is the first of its kind globally to comprehensively focus on the science, technology, and policy dimensions of carbon removal from the environment, targeting one of the most significant drivers of climate change. By bridging academic innovation with real-world application, the course seeks to equip a new generation of professionals with the necessary knowledge and tools to confront climate change through large-scale carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategies.
Titled “Carbon Dioxide Removal from a Systems Perspective,” the course is delivered entirely online via Heriot-Watt’s platform, enabling accessibility for learners worldwide. Its curriculum, spanning 50 intensive hours, delves deeply into the complexities of the global carbon cycle, illuminating the mechanisms through which carbon moves between the atmosphere, biosphere, oceans, and lithosphere. Students are systematically introduced to advanced removal technologies, including direct air capture (DAC) systems that chemically extract CO₂ from ambient air, and enhanced rock weathering techniques which accelerate natural mineral processes to lock carbon into stable geological formations.
This course is uniquely designed to serve a diverse audience of professionals across multiple sectors—government agencies, energy industries, agroforestry, and technological innovation—and also appeals to those seeking to redirect their careers toward climate-focused roles. Its modular structure ensures participants develop not only scientific literacy but also an understanding of the economic and environmental trade-offs inherent in different carbon removal approaches. Comprehensive discussions on lifecycle impacts, scalability, and policy frameworks position learners to shape future carbon management strategies adeptly.
The emergence of this educational endeavor coincides with the rapidly expanding CDR industry in Europe, poised to become a €220 billion annual market by 2050. According to a recent 2025 whitepaper from Carbon Gap, this sector could generate up to 670,000 high-quality jobs, signifying an enormous economic opportunity alongside its environmental imperatives. The surge in demand for skilled professionals capable of navigating the intricacies of carbon removal operations underscores the timeliness and necessity of this course as an incubator for expertise and innovation.
Developed in partnership with governmental bodies, industrial stakeholders, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the program provides hands-on insights into the development, deployment, and regulation of carbon removal technologies. The curriculum stresses a systems-thinking approach, drawing connections between scientific concepts, engineering challenges, policy-making, and societal consequences. This holistic perspective is critical for understanding how carbon removal fits within broader climate mitigation efforts and global sustainability goals.
Dr. Mijndert van der Spek, Associate Professor at Heriot-Watt and the course lead, brings internationally recognized proficiency in the environmental and economic appraisal of climate mitigation technologies. His leadership has been instrumental in conceptualizing the course to fill a critical gap in professional education. Dr. van der Spek emphasizes that without formal training pathways, the sector risks falling short of building the necessary workforce to scale carbon removal into an industry surpassing fossil fuels like oil and gas in impact and relevance.
“Carbon Dioxide Removal is vital for meeting our climate targets,” Dr. van der Spek asserts. “This course delivers a comprehensive understanding of CDR, spanning from cutting-edge technologies to policy enforcement and systems implementation. The most exciting aspect is nurturing a community equipped to drive real-world climate solutions, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to contribute effectively.”
A defining feature of the course is its flexibility and inclusivity. Recognizing the imperative of global participation, the program welcomes students from any location and offers reduced tuition fees to learners from emerging economies. This accessibility aims to democratize knowledge exchange and build capacity worldwide, where climate vulnerabilities often coincide with limited resources for education and innovation.
The importance of this initiative is further highlighted by endorsements from leading industry figures, such as Chris Sherwood, Secretary General of the Negative Emissions Platform based in Brussels. Sherwood praises Heriot-Watt University for advancing academic recognition of carbon removal while preparing climate entrepreneurs who will spearhead the growth of a green economy grounded in negative emissions technologies.
Scientifically, atmospheric CO₂ levels are predominantly driven by fossil fuel combustion and anthropogenic land-use changes, disrupting natural carbon sinks. Elevated concentrations intensify the greenhouse effect, catalyzing global temperature rise, altered weather patterns, and ecological stress. Implementing effective carbon dioxide removal at scale is essential to offset emissions that are otherwise difficult or impossible to eliminate completely.
However, the field faces substantial scientific and practical hurdles, including uncertainties surrounding the long-term stability of stored carbon and the economic feasibility of various methods. Direct air capture, for example, remains highly energy-intensive and capital-demanding, while enhanced rock weathering requires vast geographic deployment and thorough environmental assessments. Overcoming these barriers requires not only technical innovations but also an informed and skilled workforce capable of critical evaluation and adaptive management.
The Heriot-Watt course addresses these complexities through rigorous technical content, case studies, and policy analyses, fostering an integrated understanding of how to develop and implement carbon removal solutions responsibly. By cultivating proficiency in both theoretical frameworks and applied methods, the program aspires to empower professionals who will shape the emerging carbon removal industry’s trajectory, ensuring it contributes meaningfully to global climate mitigation efforts.
Overall, the launch of this course represents a critical evolution in climate education, aligning academic inquiry with urgent global needs. It signifies a deliberate investment in human capital—recognizing that achieving the Paris Agreement’s temperature goals and stabilizing Earth’s climate will depend heavily on the capacity to remove vast quantities of CO₂ from the atmosphere. As such, it marks a hopeful and strategic step toward cultivating the leaders and innovators of tomorrow’s decarbonized world.
Subject of Research: Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies and Systems; Climate Change Mitigation Strategies
Article Title: Heriot-Watt University Launches World’s First Online Course Focused on Carbon Dioxide Removal
News Publication Date: Not specified in content
Web References:
Heriot-Watt Online Course
Carbon Gap 2025 Whitepaper
Image Credits: Heriot-Watt University
Keywords
Carbon dioxide; Atmospheric carbon dioxide; Physical sciences; Chemistry
Tags: accessible climate education onlinecarbon removal technology educationclimate science online trainingdirect air capture technologyenhanced rock weathering methodsenvironmental policy and carbon managementglobal carbon cycle educationHeriot-Watt University climate initiativesinterdisciplinary approaches to carbon managementlarge-scale carbon dioxide removal strategiesonline course on carbon dioxide removalprofessional training for climate change
