<p>Governments are increasingly considering the use of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) techniques to achieve net-zero and net-negative emissions. Responsible CDR governance will require engagement with numerous stakeholders who have differing agendas, roles and influence in the CDR landscape. However, there is little guidance on how to understand and appropriately engage with this heterogeneous set of stakeholders. In this Perspective, we discuss how to navigate stakeholder heterogeneity and engagement in CDR, using a framework based on multi-level perspective and stakeholder theory. The framework characterizes the stakeholders and their positions in the CDR socio-technical system, from niche actors (who are focused on innovation) to actors who are part of the CDR socio-technical regime or the broader governance landscape. The variety of perspectives and worldviews influences the nature of relationships between stakeholders and how these relationships enable — or impede — CDR deployment. Therefore, stakeholder engagement should account for the agenda of stakeholders and their relationships with other stakeholders for navigating targeted approaches to CDR governance.</p>