Friday 21 June 2024

Mathematical Institute, Oxford

9am - 5pm

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Plenary 5: 09.00 - 10.30 am

How do we ensure CDR supports emission reductions instead of slowing them? 

“CDR is not a substitute for emissions reductions!” We’ve all heard this — but what’s necessary to ensure that it’s true?   Panellists will share how they understand the dynamics of how CDR can distract from or delay mitigation. Then, they’ll explore creative ideas about how to concretely address these risks. 

Speakers: 

  • Holly Buck: Chairing the session, leading expert in environmental studies, and author of "After Geoengineering: Climate Tragedy, Repair, and Restoration". 

  • Nils Markusson: Renowned researcher specializing in climate policy and governance, offering insights into the dynamics of CDR and mitigation efforts. 

  • Sara Nawaz: Expert in sustainable development and climate resilience, providing perspectives on the potential risks and benefits of CDR strategies. 

  • Zeke Hausfather: Climate scientist and Director of Climate and Energy at The Breakthrough Institute, offering expertise on the interaction between CDR and emission reduction pathways. 

Parallel Sessions - 11.00 - 12.30pm

Advancements in fundamental science and technology are critical for driving innovation in Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) strategies. This session will provide an overview of the current state of innovation in CDR, including discussions on (photo)electrochemical carbon sinks, tropospheric methane concentrations, and aquafarming floating seaweeds. 

Chair: Steve Smith 

Speakers: 

  • Jan C. Minx: The State of Innovation in Carbon Dioxide Removal 

  • Matthias May: (Photo)Electrochemical Carbon Sinks: Current Status and Outlook 

  • Renaud de Richter: Surge in tropospheric methane concentrations in 2020-2022: new analysis and development of new negative emissions technologies 

  • Mar Ferandez Mendez: Aquafarming floating seaweeds in the open ocean to sequester carbon at scale via biochar production.

Fundamental Science & Technology 

Carbon Storage, Carbon Usage

The deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies is crucial for meeting climate targets. This session will explore the feasibility of CCS deployment and its alignment with climate goals. Additionally, we will investigate the potential of synthetic fuels to drive the initial deployment of Direct Air Capture (DAC) technologies, assessing their role in accelerating DAC adoption. Furthermore, we will discuss the trade-offs faced by the UK in transitioning to net zero, particularly regarding the balance between negative CO2 emissions and the production of synthetic fuels and chemicals.

Chair: Sean McCoy 

Speakers: 

  • Tsimafei Kazlou: Feasible deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies and the requirements of climate targets 

  • Nicoletta Brazzola: Can synthetic fuels propel Direct Air Capture's initial deployment?  

  • Seokyoung (Chris) Kim: UK transition to net zero: trade-offs between negative CO2 emissions and synthetic fuels and chemicals  

  • George Fulham: Managing Intermittency of Renewable Power in Sustainable Production of Methanol, coupled with Direct Air Capture  

Removals and Residual Emissions

What greenhouse gas emissions will be left over at net zero, and who gets to decide, and what do people prefer?  These papers examine how emissions become “residual”, how emissions and removals could be matched, the legal dimensions of residual emissions, and how the public approaches all this. 

Chair: Holly Buck 

Speakers: 

  • Shinichiro Asayama: Eating less meat or capturing more carbon from the atmosphere: Conflicted public feelings in making sense of different net-zero GHG pathways 

  • Juanita von Rothkirch: CDR: a source of ambition or delays? Examining expectations regarding CDR in Switzerland 

  • Duncan McLaren: Tightening the ‘net’: Fair and legitimate mechanisms for matching removals and residuals 

  • Martje Köppen: Just ‘Residual Emissions’? Towards a Legal Understanding of the Use Cases of Carbon Dioxide Removal 

National Pathways

The world needs to reach net zero emissions, but the roadmap in getting there depends critically on the regional/national context. In this session, we will dive into 6 prominent examples starting with a regional roadmap on the EU, followed by Germany, the US, France, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates. 

Chair: Florian Kraxner 

Speakers: 

  • Kati Koponen: Does Europe need carbon dioxide removals? Including a large portfolio of negative emissions technologies and practices in scenario modelling for carbon neutrality  

  • Felix Gulde: Assessing current and future CDR potentials for Germany using a multistep assessment framework 

  • Jennifer Pets-Ridge: Roads to Removal: Options for Carbon Dioxide Removal in the United States 

  • Tim Kruger: Country-specific Roadmaps to Accelerate the Deployment of CDR

Plenary 6 - 2.00 - 3.00pm

Systematic Reviews

This session first introduces the concept of a systematic review ecosystem on CDR - a community effort synthesizing key pieces of CDR knowledge for evidence-informed decision-making. We then feature first results from reviewing individual CDR methods, but also cross-cutting topics like MRV, public perception and policy in a panel discussion. The panel is: 

  • Sabine Fuss: Chairing the session and leading expert in the field of climate change mitigation at the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC). 

  • Mai Bui: Co-chairing the session and Senior Research Associate at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London 

  • Finn Müller-Hansen: Researcher specializing in environmental sciences and systematic reviews. 

  • Sarah Lück: Expert in systematic review methodologies and their application in climate science. 

  • Mijndert van der Spek: Researcher with expertise in systematic reviews and their implications for CDR research and policy. 

  • Claudia Kammann: Specialist in systematic reviews related to soil carbon sequestration and agricultural practices. 

  • Ingrid Schulte: Experienced researcher focusing on systematic reviews in the context of land-use change and forestry. 

  • Florian Kraxner: Leading expert in systematic reviews and their role in assessing the effectiveness of CDR technologies and strategies. 

  • Sylvia Vetter: Noted scientist with extensive experience in systematic reviews and their relevance to climate change mitigation.

Plenary 7 - 3.30 - 4.15pm

Final Remarks

The concluding session of the conference will feature the announcement of the winning poster, as well as the winners of the image competition. 

Conference Schedule