The present invention provides a sorbent for the removal of carbon dioxide from gas streams, comprising: a CO2 capacity of at least 9 weight percent when measured at 22° C. and 1 atmosphere; an H2O capacity of at most 15 weight percent when measured at 25° C. and 1 atmosphere; and an isosteric heat of adsorption of from 5 to 8.5 kilocalories per mole of CO2. The invention also provides a carbon sorbent in a powder, a granular or a pellet form for the removal of carbon dioxide from gas streams, comprising: a carbon content of at least 90 weight percent; a nitrogen content of at least 1 weight percent; an oxygen content of at most 3 weight percent; a BET surface area from 50 to 2600 m2/g; and a DFT micropore volume from 0.04 to 0.8 cc/g.