UPTAKE Project’s first Stakeholder Workshop inspires discussion on effective uptake of CDR
On October 1st, 2024, the UPTAKE project hosted its inaugural Stakeholder Workshop in Potsdam, gathering experts across research, policy, business, and community engagement to drive progress in carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, the UPTAKE project aims to bridge existing knowledge gaps and facilitate the effective integration of CDR into climate policies and practices.
Workshop Highlights:
The event opened with a plenary session that set the stage for the day’s activities, where project leads shared the UPTAKE roadmap, objectives, and timelines. Presentations emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to CDR uptake, focusing on technology assessment, policy integration, business models, and community impact. Experts discussed the UPTAKE framework across four dimensions:
- Knowledge & Science: Focused on evaluating and scaling CDR technologies, especially in addressing storage permanence and reducing costs.
- Policy & Governance: Examined the role of national and EU policies in driving CDR adoption, including regulatory obligations and integration into existing emissions trading systems.
- Business & Investment: Explored the viability of business models and funding opportunities for CDR solutions, with particular attention to voluntary markets and policy support tools.
- Society & Communities: Discussed the importance of public engagement, transparency, and the role of public perception in CDR acceptance and deployment.
The discussions included breakout groups to tackle targeted topics, from business model innovations to public perception. Among the key challenges highlighted were the high costs and scalability of some CDR methods, as well as the importance of designing regulations that incentivize private and public sector investment.
Key Next Steps:
UPTAKE has outlined a series of follow-ups based on the workshop discussions:
- Refining CDR business models to encourage both private sector engagement and voluntary market growth.
- Addressing urgent CDR research gaps, especially those with near-term climate impact, such as improving scalability and cost efficiency.
- Developing a priority research agenda to strengthen long-term carbon storage, addressing risks of leakage and environmental impact.
- Engaging stakeholders to improve public perception and explore viable policy frameworks.
This workshop served as a platform for collaboration, aiming to solidify a strong, cross-sector approach to scaling up CDR solutions.
You can find full summary of the event here:
Stakeholder Forum - Summary.pdf (210.5 KB)
Updates on the next steps will be available on the UPTAKE Stakeholder Forum - stay tuned!