In a recently published expert note, ‘Next Generation of US Policies to Remove Carbon Pollution from the Atmosphere’, two researchers from the World Resources Institute, Katie Lebling and Angela Anderson, have laid down recommendations regarding the steps that should be taken at the national (i.e. by the US states and the federal government) and international levels for the creation of policies that can guide the preparation and implementation of CDR technologies that are efficient and do not pose hazard.
Key takeaways:
- US policymakers have adopted numerous policies to support and govern the emerging CDR industry, providing a breeding ground for technology creation and rendering the US an important hub for CDR activities. The new US administration can build upon the CDR-related actions that have been taken by the past administration to help maintain the position of the US as a CDR leader.
- Besides environmental benefits, a number of CDR methods provide non-environmental benefits. For instance, throwing certain kinds of rock dust on crops (aka Enhanced Rock Weathering or ERW) can eliminate carbon while increasing crop yields, using forestry residues for CDR can decrease the amount of fuel for forest fires and some kinds of marine CDR may decrease ocean acidification at the local level. In addition, CDR projects can create local jobs and attract investment.
- CDR policymaking can be led not only by the US federal government but also states and regional players.
- At the international level, CDR is receiving increasing attention, with many countries highlighting the possibility of using CDR to meet their climate goals enshrined under the Paris Agreement. Even though the US government is not considered to be a leading actor at the international stage, non-governmental actors can disseminate the challenges they face and opportunities they benefit from at the international level.
- The US can maintain its position as a CDR leader provided that the federal government provides funding for research, preparation and deployment and states create policies and regulatory frameworks to provide a breeding ground for responsible CDR deployment. At the international level, governments, NGOs, scholars and private entities can provide support for capacity building in other countries and set standards to ‘ensure effective, safe and sustainable implementation internationally.’
- Scientists and other actors should prepare a framework to determine the emissions that will need to be counteracted by CDR with a view to providing estimates regarding the quantity of carbon dioxide that needs to be removed in the near future. Governments should use such estimates to set CDR goals that are separate from mitigation targets.
- CDR policies should set ambitious environmental goals and be adaptable to transformation as new CDR-related knowledge emerges. To this end, the Congress should adopt the Carbon Removal Investment Act.
- Policies should be applicable to a variety of technologies and facilitate the implementation of the most suitable CDR method in view of the local conditions.
- Policies should give priority to methods that remove high amounts of CO2 while emitting low amounts of CO2.
- Permits should be issued to developers that decrease adverse impacts to the greatest extent possible.
- Funding should be allocated for the development of CDR measurement and reporting standards that are applicable in all states.
- The congress should preserve and bolster the funds allocated to CDR research and development, guaranteeing that they support a wide range of land and marine CDR methods.
- States should include CDR in the local plans they prepare and take steps towards separating them from their mitigation targets.
- States should direct public funds for CDR by prioritizing projects that increase the environmental impacts to the extent possible and are beneficial for the local communities.
- States can set up legal rules tackling ambiguities to facilitate CDR operations, attracting investment and removing the barriers against implementation.
- States can set up regional initiatives to engage in CDR-related collaborations and disseminate important takeaways regarding their respective experiences.
Read the full report here: Next Generation of US Policies To Remove Carbon Pollution From the Atmosphere | World Resources Institute