Christiaan Gevers Deynoot

Developers of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects need partners to succeed, from project financiers and credit buyers to technology developers and independent certifiers. To make the business case, they also need partners that build the enabling environment. Few actors have the agency and legitimacy to take that role, beyond national governments and supranational organizations. Often forgotten is the massive impact that regional and city administrations can deliver, at times exceeding what… Show more

Developers of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects need partners to succeed, from project financiers and credit buyers to technology developers and independent certifiers. To make the business case, they also need partners that build the enabling environment. Few actors have the agency and legitimacy to take that role, beyond national governments and supranational organizations. Often forgotten is the massive impact that regional and city administrations can deliver, at times exceeding what central governments can do. Show less

This report explores the opportunity and challenges connected to City CDR and describes the different pathways of engagement for cities. It was developed as a guide and reference for cities to understand how carbon removal can play an integral role in achieving net-zero strategies. The report was developed by XPRIZE, South Pole and the Global Carbon Removal Partnership. C40 and the Global Covenant of Mayors are supporting partners for an emerging capacity building program to empower cities to… Show more

This report explores the opportunity and challenges connected to City CDR and describes the different pathways of engagement for cities. It was developed as a guide and reference for cities to understand how carbon removal can play an integral role in achieving net-zero strategies. The report was developed by XPRIZE, South Pole and the Global Carbon Removal Partnership. C40 and the Global Covenant of Mayors are supporting partners for an emerging capacity building program to empower cities to advance CDR. Show less

If the ambition is the exponential increase of carbon removal capacity, the CDR community should be clear-eyed about the risks as much as the opportunities. So which mega-trends should you watch in 2024 and what are some of the uncertainties?

Trend #1 - Doubling down: Is the CDR market maturing?
Trend #2 - Globalizing trade: Are markets finally converging?
Trend #3 - Cloak and dagger: Is it time for CDR to go public?
Trend #4 - Managing the beast: Quo vadis petroleum?

Industrial carbon management can play a key role in meeting the EU’s climate and industrial goals. Nevertheless, an integrated carbon accounting infrastructure, essential to spurring the responsible adoption of CCS, CCU, and CDR, is currently missing.

This guide explores the adoption of an integral carbon accounting ‘infrastructure’ for industrial carbon management in the EU, including carbon capture and storage (CCS), carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) and carbon dioxide removal… Show more

Industrial carbon management can play a key role in meeting the EU’s climate and industrial goals. Nevertheless, an integrated carbon accounting infrastructure, essential to spurring the responsible adoption of CCS, CCU, and CDR, is currently missing.

This guide explores the adoption of an integral carbon accounting ‘infrastructure’ for industrial carbon management in the EU, including carbon capture and storage (CCS), carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR). The guide also presents a blueprint for carbon accounting to inform the creation of a high-quality, high-integrity certification framework, explores opportunities and challenges for adoption, and identifies synergies with existing EU regulations.

The CCS carbon accounting infrastructure provides methodologies, tools and modules for industrial carbon management to quantify emission reductions and removals through CCS, long-term storage through CCU and emission removals through CDR activities. Show less

We need to transition to a carbon management economy. This carbon reduction and removal moonshot can only be achieved with a framework that incentivises, tracks and accounts for every CO2 molecule captured at the source, or directly removed from the atmosphere, and durably stored or used. The market cannot mature without such a framework.

This article highlights the vital role that carbon removals can play in corporate climate strategies and calls on businesses to consider developing a portfolio of climate mitigation solutions beyond the value chain, including a diverse range of nature-based and technological removal solutions.

A South Pole and Bellona report for the City of Amsterdam recently demonstrated that cities have large, untapped CDR potential and provide some answers and avenues for climate action. Could urban areas be the big untapped opportunity for scaling carbon removals? According to the report, yes: cities are “sleeping giants" for carbon removals, which we must wake up with imagination, innovation and action.

Establishing a global approach to CDR is a daunting task. Similar to other pillars of climate action - decarbonization and adaptation - it involves bringing together a complex set of scientific and social factors under an integrated framework for action. Managing such complexity requires a high degree of policy resilience, with standards and definitions of carbon removal processes able to resist challenges to its critical premises and remain effective and relevant over time. The contributors*… Show more

Establishing a global approach to CDR is a daunting task. Similar to other pillars of climate action - decarbonization and adaptation - it involves bringing together a complex set of scientific and social factors under an integrated framework for action. Managing such complexity requires a high degree of policy resilience, with standards and definitions of carbon removal processes able to resist challenges to its critical premises and remain effective and relevant over time. The contributors* to this discussion paper have identified six imperatives, accompanied by recommendations, for scaling high-quality CDR-systems. They pertain to all removal methods, irrespective of the removal process (land-based biological; ocean-based biological; geochemical; chemical) or the duration of storage (decades to centuries; centuries to millennia; ten thousand years or longer). Show less

There can be no net zero without carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on climate mitigation states clearly that, “the deployment of CDR to counterbalance hard-to-abate residual emissions is unavoidable if net zero CO₂ is to be achieved." Lowering overall emissions in the near term and eventually reaching net negative emissions in the long term is CDR's north star.

"We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them", is a renowned Albert Einstein quote that encapsulates the thinking needed to rapidly scale carbon dioxide removals (CDR). In order to bring these frontier climate technologies to scale in a credible manner, while avoiding a race to the bottom, we must think differently about how to design the frameworks that support CDR.

What goes up must now come down – especially when it comes to humanity's carbon emissions. But bridging the yawning gap we still have to reach net zero emissions will require a whole new climate infrastructure. This infrastructure has to be built now to avoid the worst impacts of a changing climate in the future.

Interest in carbon dioxide removal (CDR) has skyrocketed during the past year. Many businesses are among a chorus of voices calling for greater action and innovation in CDR but concerningly, South Pole's 2021 net zero report exposes too many vague commitments.

What is competitive sustainability? Put simply, it is a company's ability to compete and succeed relative to peers as part of its transition to a sustainable economy. Achieving net-zero emissions is at the heart of it, a goal which requires a competitive emission reduction pathway. In this blog we want to show you how to make the most out of going down this pathway with a science-based target (SBT) and how to embrace climate action as a competitive opportunity.

The world is no longer debating the need for sustainability reporting. Disclosure is increasingly seen as the critical first step to drive corporate climate action demanded by customers and investors worldwide. One of the key tools that can help companies disclose environmental performance is the CDP reporting framework.

At South Pole, we know that risks, challenges and opportunities can only be tackled head-on. This four-part blog series will explore how companies will be affected by and can engage with the European Green Deal, Europe's most ambitious policy initiative since the introduction of the Euro currency. With the Green Deal, the European Union is producing a regulatory storm that will stretch far into the future, deep into today's profit models, and way beyond Europe's borders. This post argues that… Show more

At South Pole, we know that risks, challenges and opportunities can only be tackled head-on. This four-part blog series will explore how companies will be affected by and can engage with the European Green Deal, Europe's most ambitious policy initiative since the introduction of the Euro currency. With the Green Deal, the European Union is producing a regulatory storm that will stretch far into the future, deep into today's profit models, and way beyond Europe's borders. This post argues that companies should integrate the Green Deal with their Climate Journey, pre-empt costs related to regulatory compliance and secure the competitive advantage of regulatory pre-alignment. Show less

Vrijdag 11 december sloten EU-leiders op de valreep een akkoord om in 2030 niet 40% maar 55% minder broeikasgassen uit te stoten ten opzichte van 1990. Het bedrijfsleven zal nieuwe verplichtingen voor de kiezen krijgen. Het is daarmee zowel een schot voor de boeg van de verkiezingen als een handvat voor ieder bedrijf om succesvol uit deze crisis te komen. Doelen op zichzelf gaan de realiteit namelijk niet veranderen. De Europese Commissie zal een veelheid aan nieuwe beleidsvoorstellen doen… Show more

Vrijdag 11 december sloten EU-leiders op de valreep een akkoord om in 2030 niet 40% maar 55% minder broeikasgassen uit te stoten ten opzichte van 1990. Het bedrijfsleven zal nieuwe verplichtingen voor de kiezen krijgen. Het is daarmee zowel een schot voor de boeg van de verkiezingen als een handvat voor ieder bedrijf om succesvol uit deze crisis te komen. Doelen op zichzelf gaan de realiteit namelijk niet veranderen. De Europese Commissie zal een veelheid aan nieuwe beleidsvoorstellen doen onder de European Green Deal om het doel te halen. Het Nederlands Klimaatakkoord zal worden opengebroken, wat een nieuwe verdeling van lusten en lasten vergt. Bedrijven kunnen hierop voorsorteren. Show less

Today, EU leaders announced a new greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2030, raising the reductions from 40% to 55% across the EU compared to 1990 levels. This increased ambition is welcomed. As the world turns to the Climate Ambition Summit 2020 tomorrow, we need all the support we can get.

The new target is another clarion call for action under the Green Deal. We already know that Europe’s new growth strategy is a game changer that will make or break the companies of today… Show more

Today, EU leaders announced a new greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2030, raising the reductions from 40% to 55% across the EU compared to 1990 levels. This increased ambition is welcomed. As the world turns to the Climate Ambition Summit 2020 tomorrow, we need all the support we can get.

The new target is another clarion call for action under the Green Deal. We already know that Europe’s new growth strategy is a game changer that will make or break the companies of today. The increased target will only emphasise this reality. The Green Deal has unleashed internal ‘soul searching’ across countries and economies: which business models will make the cut? Show less

The disruption caused by COVID-19 is a reminder of the vulnerability of our supply chains at a systems level. Within no time, borders turned into walls across the world, stopping the transport of both people and goods in their tracks. The pandemic has highlighted the fragility of our modern economy and society beyond comparison.

If anything, COVID-19 is the canary in the coal mine. Today, the nature of business risk is profoundly global. Companies must look at global issues, including… Show more

The disruption caused by COVID-19 is a reminder of the vulnerability of our supply chains at a systems level. Within no time, borders turned into walls across the world, stopping the transport of both people and goods in their tracks. The pandemic has highlighted the fragility of our modern economy and society beyond comparison.

If anything, COVID-19 is the canary in the coal mine. Today, the nature of business risk is profoundly global. Companies must look at global issues, including pandemics, and assess how they could affect their commercial activities across the markets they and their suppliers operate in. That should form the basis of a comprehensive strategy overhaul that could even lead to restructured supply chains in the most extreme cases. Show less

Climate change pervades every aspect of our society, economy and environment. The fact that protest movements occur around the globe, and many commentators now speak of a climate crisis, is a testament to the urgency of the issue and the high level of societal engagement. There are enormous challenges ahead. The actions needed to tackle this crisis will disrupt businesses across the board, creating both challenges and opportunities.

These are gloomy days for multilateral trade agreements and their supporters. Trade conflicts are abound in today’s world, with unilateral punitive tariffs recurring from many countries, such as, the United States, the European Union, China, Japan, and South Korea.

Furthermore, the World Trade Organisation’s dispute settlement mechanism risks becoming irrelevant without an agreement on the appointment of new judges to its appellate body.

Yet, some progress continues to be made… Show more

These are gloomy days for multilateral trade agreements and their supporters. Trade conflicts are abound in today’s world, with unilateral punitive tariffs recurring from many countries, such as, the United States, the European Union, China, Japan, and South Korea.

Furthermore, the World Trade Organisation’s dispute settlement mechanism risks becoming irrelevant without an agreement on the appointment of new judges to its appellate body.

Yet, some progress continues to be made. After 20 years of negotiations, MERCOSUR and the E.U. have reached an ‘agreement in principle’ on a wide-ranging trade deal. Show less

What is really going on behind the U.S. Iran Sanctions

What is really going on behind the U.S. Iran Sanctions? Few issues in U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign policy have been more consistent than his opposition to the Iran nuclear agreement, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He campaigned against it while running for president throughout 2016 and publicly expressed dissatisfaction about it regularly during his first year in office.

In a time of major changes to the global trade policy landscape, the EU and Australia are about to launch negotiations for an ambitious and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This agreement is set to further anchor the EU in the burgeoning Asia-Pacific region and enable Australia to diversify its global trading relationships in a time of rising protectionism. Learn about key stakeholder interests and discover the business, economic and geopolitical issues driving the momentum for the… Show more

In a time of major changes to the global trade policy landscape, the EU and Australia are about to launch negotiations for an ambitious and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This agreement is set to further anchor the EU in the burgeoning Asia-Pacific region and enable Australia to diversify its global trading relationships in a time of rising protectionism. Learn about key stakeholder interests and discover the business, economic and geopolitical issues driving the momentum for the EU-Australia trade agreement in our latest report. Show less

The rise of populism, protectionism and nationalistic rhetoric is shaping the future of global commerce. Traditional trade rules and norms are under pressure, as countries, companies and workers seek to position themselves in a more complex, multipolar global economy. A spaghetti bowl of bilateral and regional agreements is being negotiated or coming into force. In a time of significant change and disruption, this Weber Shandwick report highlights major trends from the unique perspectives of… Show more

The rise of populism, protectionism and nationalistic rhetoric is shaping the future of global commerce. Traditional trade rules and norms are under pressure, as countries, companies and workers seek to position themselves in a more complex, multipolar global economy. A spaghetti bowl of bilateral and regional agreements is being negotiated or coming into force. In a time of significant change and disruption, this Weber Shandwick report highlights major trends from the unique perspectives of the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Brazil, South Africa, India, Japan and China. Our business experts in each market offer key insights into the political, business and cultural trends that are shaping trade and inward investment policymaking. Show less