What is the difference between avoidance, reduction, and removal?

Climate projects distinguish between avoidance, reduction, and removal based on impact activities. Avoidance prevents emissions, often through nature conservation or sustainable technologies. When integrated into a company’s value chain, like using sustainable aviation fuels, it becomes a reduction effort. Removal extracts CO2e from the atmosphere, traditionally through reforestation. Technological solutions like direct air capture, biochar production, and enhanced rock weathering represent a growing field in global climate action against greenhouse gas emissions.