About the Annual Conference on Carbon Removal Law and Policy

1st Annual Conference

September 21-22, 2021

Register Here

 In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the critical role that carbon dioxide removal (CDR)/negative emissions technologies (NETs) approaches must play in effectuating the temperature targets of the Paris Agreement. However, if CDR/NETs is to occupy such an important role in climate policymaking, it is also critical that effective institutions are in place at the national and international level to both help facilitate research and deployment of promising technologies and processes. Equally importantly, such institutions must also be structured in a manner that ensures minimization of potential negative impacts, comports with recognized notions of justice and equity, and fully engages the world community in discussing the optimal role of CDR in our portfolio of responses to climate change.

Unfortunately, there are currently large lacunae in the governance framework for CDR at all levels. This provides a compelling rationale for an annual convening to bring together experts in all pertinent sectors, including government, non-governmental organizations, corporations and academics to help build the architecture for effective governance of the array of approaches that are currently under consideration, or which may play a role in the future.

Among the key issues that the Institute envisions being addressed in this annual conference in the years ahead include the following:

  • Is there a need for a discrete international governance body for CDR/NETs options with transboundary impacts, or is it sufficient/optimal to rely on polycentric governance architectures?
  • What are the most pertinent domestic instruments for governance of CDR/NETs approaches, and are they fit for purpose? What additional regulatory and legal measures may be necessary?
    • Is there a need for cross-cutting regulatory regimes in some cases?
  • What is the role of the Paris Agreement in the context of CDR/NETs?
    • Can the Parties to the Paris Agreement incorporate CDR/NETs into their respective National Determined Contributions?
      • If yes, what provisions should be included in the Paris Rulebook to facilitate this and to ensure integrity?
      • Should carbon removal pledges be separated from emissions reduction pledges?
    • What role might Article 6 provisions for market-based mechanisms play in the development of CDR/NETs?
  • What role would provisions on human rights and sustainable development have on shaping the scope and extent of viable CDR/NETs options?
  • What policy options can be utilized at the national or international level to incentivize research and potential deployment of CDR/NETs approaches?
  • How can public engagement and deliberation about CDR/NETs options be facilitated at the national and international levels?

We are accepting proposals for panel sessions or individual presentations for our 1st Annual Conference until June 18th, 2021. See the Call for Panels and Call for Individual Presentations for details.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Conference Chair Wil Burns here.

This conference is made possible with the generous support of The New York Community Trust & ClimateWorks Foundation