Greenhouse Gas Removal

Achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century requires energy efficiency, deep decarbonization, and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) for hard-to-abate sectors.

Achieving net zero annual greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century requires three types of action: increased energy efficiency, deep decarbonization, and carbon dioxide removal (CDR)—for counterbalancing the truly hard-to-decarbonize sectors. With insufficient action across the globe, the expected role played by CDR continues to grow.

Moral hazard and divergent risk assessment are present in CDR deployment, but current debates are often clouded by confusion and distrust. The Kleinman Center’s integrated research core is uniquely situated to cut through the clouds, with our focus on technology performance and impacts, policy mechanisms to implement standards, and legal frameworks to legitimize CDR and enforce the terms of its social license.

Faculty Leadership

Jennifer Wilcox

Presidential Distinguished Professor

Jen Wilcox is Presidential Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering and Energy Policy. Her research expertise is in carbon capture and sequestration technologies, in order to minimize the negative impacts of fossil fuels.

Clean Energy Conversions Lab

The CECL focuses on carbon management. Their research can be divided into three enormous problems: How can we limit the atmospheric accumulation of carbon dioxide? What can we do with the carbon dioxide once it’s captured? And will it scale?

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Recent Work

Digest

Advancing the Social License for Carbon Management in Achieving Net-Zero GHG Emissions

Carbon management is a fast and growing, yet polarizing topic. Instead of "yes vs. no," we suggest the more useful framing of "under what conditions?" This policy digest examines the history of carbon management in U.S. policy and proposes that the establishment of a compelling social license takes a more central position in net-zero governance.

Digest

Net-Zero Nevada: From Pledge to Action

On the path to net zero, states face challenges unique to their local geography and resources. In this case study, we explore four custom pathways for Nevada.