Scrubbing the Skies: Webinar Summary

Introduction

• Host: Will Burns, Co-director of the Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy.
• Event: Last episode of the webinar series, "Scrubbing the Skies" at American University.
• Context: Discussion on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) post COP 28.

COP 28 Highlights

• Major Headline: Commitment to transition from fossil fuels.
• Focus: Developments related to carbon dioxide removal.
• Format: Roundtable discussion with audience Q&A.

Panelists Introduction

• Gabriel Walker: Founder of Rethinking Removals.
• Katie Lebling: Associate in Carbon Removal and Industrial Decarbonization Program, World Resources Institute.
• Ben Rubin: Executive Director and Co-founder of the Carbon Business Council.
• Ted Parson: Faculty Director of the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, UCLA.

Key Discussions

General Impressions from COP 28

• Gabriel Walker:

  • Dramatic difference from COP 26 in terms of CDR discussion.
  • Significant increase in the number of events related to CDR.
  • Concerns of CDR being caught in the fossil fuel debate crossfire were alleviated.

• Ted Parson:

  • Noted disparity between discussions inside and outside the negotiation rooms.
  • Lack of explicit references to CDR in negotiation texts.

• Katie Lebling:

  • Increased interest in diverse CDR approaches.
  • Noted confusion and intentional conflation between CCS and CDR.

• Ben Rubin:

  • Acknowledged CDR as a distinct pillar of climate action.
  • Emphasized the importance of the inclusion of CDR in discussions.

Language in Global Stock Take

• Discussion on the language of the Global Stock Take, particularly around "zero and low emissions technologies."
  • Katie: Confusing language mixing CCS with CDR.
  • Ted: Possible conspiracy theory on the deliberate conflation of CCS and CDR.
  • Gabriel: Acknowledges deliberate choice of language and the significance of CDR inclusion.

Article 6 Developments

• Challenges in reaching consensus on Article 6.4:
  • Gabriel: Frustration with lack of agreement, noting political and regional fault lines.
  • Katie: Difficulties in 6.2 and 6.4 negotiations due to transparency and removal guidance issues.
  • Ben: Anticipates further discussion and public engagement in 2024.

Voluntary Carbon Markets

• Ben: Noted demarcation between removal credits and traditional offset credits.
• Gabriel: Emphasized the need for coordination among standards to ensure market integrity.

Group of Negative Emitters (GONE)

• Launch by Denmark, Finland, and Panama:
  • Aim to achieve net-negative emissions.
  • Katie: Stressed the need for intermediate targets and diverse approaches to CDR.

Audience Q&A

• Discussion on the role of carbon markets, transparency, and scenario uncertainties in CDR.
• Importance of quantifying CDR targets and outcomes.

Conclusion

• Acknowledgment of the challenges and opportunities in advancing the carbon removal agenda post COP 28.
• Encouragement for continued engagement and discourse in the coming year.