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24 May, 7 tweets, 3 min read
So there have been a couple of carbon removal developments in the UK today, although they haven't been spelled out together so here we go... 🧵
First, UKRI has announced a new research programme including a national hub (which I am a part of) and 5 carbon removal demonstrators.

Demos will be on:
* trees 🌲🌳
* peatlands 🏞️
* biochar ◾️
* energy crops 🌿
* enhanced rock weathering 🪨

ukri.org/news/uk-invest…
Second, @BEISgovuk has announced 24 carbon removal innovation projects with commercial partners.

gov.uk/government/pub…
These are generally more "industrial" approaches, but with an interesting mix inc. mineralisation, BECCS (inc. to hydrogen), biochar (again), direct air capture and seawater capture.

All in all a complementary set of approaches to the more land-based ones funded by UKRI.
Innovation and trials of early-stage removal techniques has been recognised widely as a need. See for instance @royalsociety and @RAEngNews: royalsociety.org/topics-policy/…

and @theNASEM: nap.edu/catalog/25259/….
Arguably as important as innovation is incentives for operational removal. And an overall vision for how removal sits with emissions reduction (and wider goals) in Government's view.

All eyes on their #NetZero strategy for this, hopefully ahead of #COP26 👀
But overall, this is a step forward. Hopefully these talented innovators and researchers can develop their ideas to the next stage and make a difference💪

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More from @stv_smth

Steve Smith Profile picture
23 Mar
Lovely to see coverage today of our report on the quantity & quality of #NetZero targets around the world: netzeroclimate.org/innovation-for…

There are excellent threads already by co-authors @_richardblack and @thomasnhale (check them out). Just a few additional thoughts from me...
1. 2050 is a strong anchor date for these targets (not surprising given the IPCC Report on 1.5°C). The huge post-2050 chunk we see for countries is solely down to China. Quite a few states and companies are aiming earlier.
2. Despite countries having the most well-developed climate governance (the UNFCCC), those with #NetZero goals still by no means have it all in place. Companies are doing similarly well on setting plans and reporting at least annually.
Read 7 tweets
Steve Smith Profile picture
4 Feb
How to manage the inclusion of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) measures in climate targets? I have a comment on it out today in @CommsEarth:

nature.com/articles/s4324…

It's open access, but here's the Twitter-friendly version...🧵
Several papers and reports have flagged that "net-zero" targets allow some level of CDR to balance out residual emissions, and worry that this could dilute action in various ways. They propose that the way to fix this is to keep separate targets for emissions and removals.
This isn't a theoretical argument, it's live now. The UK and other have set net zero targets; the EU is actively thinking about whether/how to include CDR.

nature.com/articles/d4158…
Read 8 tweets
Steve Smith Profile picture
2 Feb
🚨 OPPORTUNITY KLAXON 🚨

Do you want to join @OxfordNetZero? We're hiring! Be a key part of our new @oxforduni initiative to research and engage on how we end #globalwarming

jobs.ac.uk/enhanced/linki…

We have seven exciting roles to fill... 🧵
Core to @OxfordNetZero will be four #ONZ Fellows - emerging research leaders & team players in these areas:

* Net Zero Politics in the Global South🌏👨‍👨‍👦‍👦
* Geological Carbon Storage 🪨🌊
* Law & Governance of Net Zero🏦
* Nature-based Solutions🌳🐒

jobs.ac.uk/enhanced/linki…

(2/5)
Also vital will be a skilled and enthusiastic Programme Manager (it's not all about the academics!). You will work closely with me, @SamFankahuser and Myles Allen, and I will consider you to be THE most important person in @OxfordNetZero 💪

jobs.ac.uk/enhanced/linki…

(3/5)
Read 5 tweets
Steve Smith Profile picture
29 Sep 20
Today we @UniofOxford have published some principles for #netzero aligned carbon offsetting: smithschool.ox.ac.uk/publications/r…

Here's a summary...

[THREAD]
First, some background:

Carbon offsetting is the reduction of your own balance of emissions by gaining credit for certified emission reduction or removal carried out by another actor.
It's not for everyone. Objections exist, both on grounds of ethics (is it right?) and practice (does it work?). But offsetting is widespread and set to grow as countries, cities and businesses all strive to set and meet #netzero targets...
Read 14 tweets
Steve Smith Profile picture
25 Jun 20
A key @theCCCuk chart on whether the UK is on track.

They may not want to say this, but might the 5th Carbon Budget be in the bag despite the lack of policy progress? (1/n)

theccc.org.uk/publication/re… Image
The projection on the above chart was made in 2018. Very much pre-lockdown. The CCC report notes that estimates for UK 2020 emissions now range from a 2% to a 13% decline on 2019.

(2/n)
If we start from a 2 or 13% reduction in 2020 and continue the 2018 projections forward, you get the range within the dark blue dotted lines here:

(3/n) Image
Read 8 tweets
Steve Smith Profile picture
1 Jun 20
Good overview of government's announcement on emissions trading here 👇
Some interesting stuff about removal technologies in there - government realising they will likely be important for net zero. Not in scope for now but name checked as a topic to come back to in review (as soon as 2023).
It's an intriguing question how to include removals in an emissions scheme - is it the best way to get them to scale up, or will it lead to unexpected bad things? Responses to the consultation are divided. Would be a good topic for some clever researchers to look at.
Read 4 tweets

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