Climate policy for a net-zero future: ten recommendations for Direct Air Capture

Abstract

Abstract Direct Air Capture with Carbon Storage (DACCS) technologies represent one of the most significant potential tools for tackling climate change by making net-zero and net-negative emissions achievable, as deemed necessary in reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the European Green Deal. We draw from a novel and original dataset of expert interviews (N = 125) to distil ten recommendations for future DACCS policy. After providing a literature review on DACCS and explaining our methods of data collection, we present these recommendations as follows: (a) follow governance principles that ensure ‘negative’ emissions; (b) prioritize long-term carbon storage; (c) appreciate and incentivize scale; (d) co-develop with capture, transport, and storage; (e) phase in a carbon price; (f) couple with renewables; (g) harness hub deployment; (h) maintain separate targets; (i) embrace certification and compliance; and (j) recognize social acceptance. All ten recommendations are important, and all speak to the urgency and necessity of better managing and shaping the potentially impending DACCS transition.