The World Wildlife Fund has recently published a set of policy recommendations regarding the creation of a European CDR Strategy.
Key takeaways:
- To achieve its climate goals, the EU should set three different targets that relate to mitigation, carbon removal via natural methods and carbon removal through the use of technological methods.
- Use of natural methods should be prioritized over technological CDR in situations where such use does not adversely impact biodiversity.
- The precautionary principle should be applied in a stringent manner in relation to CDR activities that do not have fully foreseeable impacts.
- Engagement in CDR should not lead to mitigation deterrence.
- Land-based CDR activities should be carried out in compliance with spatial plans that lay down how land is allocated for different purposes.
- Liability schemes should be developed to identify the parties that can be held responsible such as CDR companies or states in cases where engagement with CDR does not have the desired effect (i.e. release of CO2 into the atmosphere). Penalty that can be imposed for such a consequence should be sufficiently severe so as to prevent irresponsible engagement with CDR and/or guarantee the rectification of the adverse consequences.
- Integrating CDR credits into the EU ETS may hinder the efforts geared towards decreasing emission allowances. This situation, in turn, may deter businesses from reducing their carbon emissions.
- CDR should facilitate the achievement of just transition goals.
To read the policy recommendations, visit Carbon Dioxide Removal: Policy Recommendations | WWF .