The Carbon Business Council has responded to claims made in a UNFCCC information note that engineered carbon removal is not suitable for implementation. The open letter has over 100 signatories and represents some of the most prominent companies, nonprofits and stakeholders in the industry.
The message from the Council’s members urges the Supervisory Body working on the UN’s Article 6.4 mechanism to use the carbon dioxide removal (CDR) definition adopted by the IPCC, which states that CDR is required as part of the solution to global warming.
Furthermore the letter suggests that a method-neutral and criteria-based approach to reviewing CDR project credentials is preferable, as there are a multitude of carbon removal approaches that use both engineered and natural elements in their technology.
Another important point made in the information note is that CDR projects “are not suitable for implementation in the developing countries”. This is directly addressed in the Council’s letter, who have a number of members working in Kenya, Brazil and India, and can provide a different perspective on the prospects of carbon removal in the Global South.
The open letter comes before a deadline expiring on the 25th of May for input from stakeholders that want to share their opinion and expertise with the Supervisory Board, before it convenes for its next regular work meeting between 31 May – 5 June.
Relevant: Clear Definition Needed For Carbon Removal Says Carbon Business Council
The potential exclusion of engineered carbon removal from the Article 6.4 mechanism could mean carbon removal companies won’t be able to apply for the global carbon credit market that the UN is working on.
The issue was first flagged by climate policy adviser Eve Tamme and has sparked a reaction from the carbon removal community. With the industry still in its initial phases, any hurdles placed in front of its development could reduce its trajectory and limit its ability to remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
Read more: UN Climate Policy Could Exclude Engineered Carbon Removal
