The CDR Policy Scoop

In this episode of The CDR Policy Scoop, Sebastian Manhart and Eve Tamme are joined by Harry Smith, Principal Consultant at Aether and former Leverhulme Doctoral Scholar at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of East Anglia, where he completed his PhD on the policy and governance of carbon dioxide removal.The conversation explores what national long-term low-emission development strategies actually say about carbon removal, and how much of it should concern us. Harry draws on his doctoral research, which analysed long-term strategies across 71 countries, to explain why these documents are often optional, outdated, and light on detail when it comes to CDR.The episode digs into the residual emissions data at the heart of his research: only 26 of 71 countries quantified residual emissions at the point of net zero, with an average of 21% of peak emissions, more than double the 10% commonly referenced in IPCC scenarios. Australia and Canada sit at 52% and 44% respectively, leaning heavily on CDR and international credits to close the gap.Sebastian, Eve and Harry also examine why the land sector carries far more weight in national strategies than engineered CDR, and why Harry considers it the bigger risk. The discussion closes on what long-term strategies have actually contributed,  a refinement of end-of-century warming projections, and why near-term policy design, not long-term vision documents, is where the real work on CDR now needs to happen.Links:Eve Tamme: LinkedIn and WebsiteSebastian Manhart: LinkedIn and WebsiteHarry Smith: LinkedInUNFCCC Long Term Strategies PortalPromising Words, Evaluating Actions: Assessing Carbon Dioxide Removal in National Net Zero Plans, by Harry B Smith

In this episode of The CDR Policy Scoop, Sebastian Manhart and Eve Tamme are joined by Maureen Walsh, Executive Director of the US Biochar Coalition (USBC), to discuss how biochar has quietly built one of the most resilient policy positions of any CDR technology in the United States.Recorded amid tariff pressures, farm bill limbo, and a Washington reshaped by the second Trump administration, the conversation gets straight to the question: is this political moment different? Maureen's answer is yes, but biochar is finding opportunities others aren't, by refusing to be defined as a climate technology.The episode unpacks the strategic reframe at the heart of USBC's approach: positioning biochar as a solution to waste, wildfires, PFAS contamination, and farmer resilience rather than leading with carbon removal. Maureen explains how this opens doors across the aisle,  from senators focused on carbon sequestration to those who just need to deal with mountains of woody biomass before fire season.The discussion dives into the legislative machinery: the Carbon Resources Innovation Act (Senate Bill 3778), a technology-neutral update to 45Q that would make biochar and other CDR methods eligible for the tax credit without naming them explicitly. Maureen breaks down why 45Q doesn't currently cover biochar, how BBBA reshaped the tax credit landscape, and why biochar survived the cut when other technologies didn't. Sebastian and Maureen also explore the art of Hill advocacy, the 20-minute meeting, the constituency-first argument, and why cultivating champions now is the only way to be ready when the next big tax vehicle arrives.Maureen walks through USBC's concrete wins: the EPA's landmark 2024 ruling that pyrolysis of clean cellulosic biomass is no longer classified as waste incineration, and biochar's dedicated section in Fix Our Forests, which has passed the House with bipartisan support. She also details the USDA conservation practice codes already paying farmers and producers to use biochar, and the patchwork of regional implementation that USBC is steadily working to fix.The episode closes with two lessons every CDR sector should hear: drop the word sustainability and start talking about resilience, and if you're still going to Washington alone, you're already behind.Links:Eve Tamme: LinkedIn and WebsiteSebastian Manhart: LinkedIn and WebsiteMaureen Walsh: LinkedInUS Biochar Coalition: LinkedIn and Website

In this episode of The CDR Policy Scoop, Eve Tamme is joined by Canadian Senator Colin Deacon from Nova Scotia. Senator Deacon is a former entrepreneur, who has been a driving force behind what may be the most comprehensive government study on marine carbon dioxide removal undertaken by any national legislature to date.The conversation centres on the landmark report published by Canada's Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans in February 2026, which examined marine CDR - particularly ocean alkalinity enhancement - and put forward nine clear, actionable recommendations. Senator Deacon explains what drew the committee to the topic, the unexpected complexity of navigating four overlapping federal regulators, and why agile regulation, not the science, emerged as the single biggest barrier to scaling the sector.Eve and Senator Deacon explore the significance of Canada asserting sovereign jurisdiction over land-based ocean alkalinity enhancement projects, the case for creating a regulatory sandbox that brings innovators and regulators together, and the importance of access to compliance carbon markets for removal credits. Senator Deacon reflects on Canada's strong foundation in this space, from two X Prize winners and the Ocean Frontier Institute at Dalhousie University, to a Prime Minister in Mark Carney with deep personal understanding of carbon markets and end-to-end credit integrity.The episode also touches on the role of social license, why site visits proved the most powerful tool for building political buy-in among new committee members, and why Senator Deacon insists that scaling and studying marine CDR must happen in parallel, not sequentially. The discussion closes with a forward-looking call: the world will not reach net zero without carbon removal, and the time to build the markets, the regulation, and the trust to support it is now.Links:Eve Tamme: LinkedIn and WebsiteSenator Colin Deacon and WebsiteCarbon removal, from air to sea: Canada, a leader in restoring oceans ecosystems and fighting climate change

In this episode of The CDR Policy Scoop, Sebastian Manhart and Eve Tamme are joined by Jennifer Wilcox, Presidential Distinguished Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management at the U.S. Department of Energy.Recorded amid major policy shifts in Washington, the conversation explores what has changed - and what has not - for carbon management and carbon removal in the United States. Jennifer reflects on her time at the DOE during the Biden administration, including the reorientation of federal funding toward climate mitigation, the launch of large-scale demonstration programs, and the Carbon Negative Earthshot.The episode dives into the current landscape: paused or uncertain funding for DAC hubs and purchase programs, the ongoing role of tax credits such as 45Q, and how Congressional appropriations interact with administrative reorganizations. Jennifer explains why some federal incentives remain intact, how unobligated funds could still shape the future, and why tax policy continues to provide a foundation for investment even amid political turbulence.Sebastian and Eve also explore the intersection of AI-driven data center growth, energy infrastructure, and carbon removal - including emerging models where direct air capture integrates with geothermal energy or supports data center cooling. The discussion highlights the importance of aligning CDR with broader industrial priorities such as nuclear, critical minerals, and domestic energy production.The episode concludes with a forward-looking message: safeguard progress by embedding carbon removal in communities, regional strengths, and bipartisan economic value. Policies may shift, but learning, infrastructure, and local ownership create momentum that is difficult to reverse.Links:Eve Tamme: LinkedIn and WebsiteSebastian Manhart: LinkedIn and WebsiteProfessor Jennifer Wilcox: LinkedIn

In this episode of The CDR Policy Scoop, Sebastian Manhart and Eve Tamme are joined by Robert Höglund, Manager of the Milkywire Climate Transformation Fund and co-founder of CDR.fyi, to unpack a new way of thinking about corporate net-zero targets.Recorded in early February, the conversation explores Robert’s proposal for conditional net-zero targets - a framework that distinguishes between emissions companies can realistically control and those that depend on broader systemic change. The discussion examines why today’s net-zero paradigm often obscures these realities, particularly for hard-to-abate sectors, and how this lack of clarity risks undermining credibility and action.The episode dives into the practical challenges of operationalising conditional targets, including questions of agency, financial feasibility, governance, and accountability. Sebastian and Eve probe whether this approach simplifies or complicates an already crowded standards landscape, and whether it risks creating loopholes - or instead forces companies to be more honest about what reaching net zero actually requires.The discussion also explores how this reframing could affect near-term demand for carbon removal, particularly through operational net-zero claims for Scope 1, Scope 2, and business travel, and whether conditional targets could unlock more realistic and durable corporate engagement with removals over the next decade.Links:Eve Tamme: LinkedIn and WebsiteSebastian Manhart: LinkedIn and WebsiteRobert Höglund: LinkedIn, Website and Substack on this topic

In this episode of The CDR Policy Scoop, Sebastian Manhart and Eve Tamme are joined by Josh Becker, California State Senator representing Silicon Valley, to discuss the future of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) policy in California.Recorded live on Presidents’ Day, the conversation explores how California quantified its carbon removal needs - 7 million tons by 2030 and 75 million tons by 2045 - and what it will actually take to deliver on those targets.The episode dives into the legislative history of SB 308 (Carbon Dioxide Removal Market Development Act) and subsequent efforts to establish quality standards for removals, including durability and additionality requirements. Senator Becker explains the political challenges of designing compliance mechanisms, aligning with California’s Cap-and-Invest system, and navigating tensions between the legislature, regulatory agencies, and the Governor’s office.Sebastian and Eve also explore the implications of recent bills - including funding through California’s climate innovation programs and new mandates for developing CDR protocols - and what they mean for integrating removals into compliance markets. The discussion touches on voluntary market demand, infrastructure enablers such as CO₂ pipelines, and how California can attract private investment amid federal headwinds.The episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on what policymakers globally can learn from California’s experience: focus on quality standards, clarify who pays, and build durable political coalitions to scale carbon removal alongside deep emissions reductions.Links:Eve Tamme: LinkedIn and WebsiteSebastian Manhart: LinkedIn and WebsiteSenator Josh Becker: LinkedIn

In this episode of The CDR Policy Scoop, Sebastian Manhart and Eve Tamme are joined by Jannick Buhl, Head of CCUS, CDR and Biomass at the Danish District Heating Association, to unpack what happened in Denmark’s highly anticipated CCS subsidy tender.Recorded in early February, the conversation examines why nine out of ten pre-qualified bidders withdrew from a tender worth nearly €4 billion, leaving just two final applications. Jannick explains why Denmark’s approach - requiring bidders to take responsibility for the entire CCS value chain, from capture to transport to storage - proved too risky for most projects under the current market conditionsThe episode dives into the key bottlenecks behind the withdrawals, including limited access to CO₂ storage, strict delivery timelines tied to Denmark’s 2030 climate target, and heavy penalties for delays. The discussion explores why Aalborg Portland, Denmark’s largest emitter, was still able to submit a bid, and what assumptions it is making around onshore storage availability.Sebastian, Eve, and Jannick also examine broader lessons for governments designing CCS and CDR funding schemes: whether tenders should cover the full value chain or be broken into separate components, how much delivery risk the state should absorb, and how tight climate deadlines can unintentionally undermine project development.The episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on what Denmark might do next, how withdrawn projects could be revived under different tender designs, and what other countries can learn from Denmark’s experience as they roll out large-scale CCS and CDR support mechanisms.Links:Eve Tamme: LinkedIn and WebsiteSebastian Manhart: LinkedIn and Website - post on this topicJannick Buhl: LinkedIn

Germany is emerging as one of Europe’s most active carbon removal markets - with new public funding, a growing startup ecosystem, and heavy industry exploring large-scale CDR. But can policy, infrastructure, and demand keep pace with ambition?In this special episode, Sebastian Manhart shares insights from a two-day CDR experience tour across Germany, featuring conversations with policymakers, researchers, startups, and industry leaders. The episode explores Germany’s carbon removal potential, the key barriers to scale, and what governments can do now to de-risk projects and unlock investment.From public procurement and contracts for difference to compliance markets and infrastructure, this episode looks ahead to where Germany’s CDR strategy is heading in 2026 and beyond.Links:Eve Tamme:  LinkedIn and WebsiteSebastian Manhart: LinkedIn and Website Oscar Schily: LinkedInTank Chen: LinkedInTony Oehm: LinkedInFlorian Hildebrand: LinkedInManuel Wessel: LinkedInStefan Schlosser: LinkedIn Saskia Kühnhold-Popischil: LinkedInJulian Joswig: LinkedInSascha van Beek: LinkedInDVNE Experience TourCarbon Gap: Germany Carbon Removal Readiness Assessment (report) - to be released; launch event hereEU ETSGerman Federal Government – Carbon Management Strategy (CO₂ transport & storage framework