Publications

Emissions Reduction (ER) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) are both important components of reaching net-zero. However, separating targets for the two is not an efficient way to ensure climate goals are achieved. This paper argues that we need ambitious near-term action, disclose measures to achieve these goals and to closely monitor and manage carbon sinks.

We need meaningful societal engagement for an effective and equitable low-carbon transition. Rather than focusing on discrete forms of participation, we need to take a systemic approach to mapping participation with energy by the UK public. This could provide the necessary plural and robust forms of social intelligence for a socially responsive, responsible, and just energy transition.

There has been a widespread assumption of a 90% CO2 capture rate in the future to meet net-zero targets. This paper argues that going beyond 90% capture will be vital, and provides evidence of capture rates of up to 98% in hard-to-abate sectors at a relatively low marginal cost.

Deliberative workshops conducted with lay publics in the UK showed there to be a lack of trust in the safety and efficacy of CO2 removal. This was driven by doubt injected by fracking discourses, and a ‘ripple effect’ of heightened risk perceptions. This has the potential to undermine attempts to build societal agreement for the future deployment of CO2 removal technologies.

This review examines CCS deployment efforts over the last decade. We reveal that facility deployment must increase dramatically from current levels, and much work remains to maximize storage of CO2 in vast subsurface reserves.

Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) has gained increasing attention from climate policymakers and stakeholders as net-zero emissions targets have proliferated as an organizing principle of climate policy. This paper proposes a tripartite conceptual typology of the varieties of CDR policymaking and calls for future comparative work, and fine-grained case-studies on established and emerging CDR policies.

Strong risk perceptions surrounding ocean iron fertilization presents a significant barrier to implementation. This paper argues that it is not natural science uncertainties which need to better understood, but social desirability; public attitudes are crucial determinants of how governance for negative emissions technologies emerge.

Climate Change Assessments, Publics and Digital Traces of Controversy: An Experiment in Mapping Issues with Carbon Dioxide Removal Researchers reports a participation experiment in which the authors involved an interdisciplinary group of researchers in mapping issues relating to two CDR approaches: afforestation and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). The authors describe and compare the responses of individual researchers when presented with visualisations aggregated from posts about afforestation and BECCS on the platform Twitter.

This report discusses the decision of the UK Supreme Court in respect of the planned expansion of Heathrow airport, arguing that the Court was correct to hand the decision back to an expert limb of public administration rather than settling the matter in court.

Biomass shows great potential for CO2 mitigation and removal. This paper assesses how we can most efficiently utilize sustainable biomass supply to this end, and how optimal uses may evolve as the European energy system continues to decarbonize.