Getting science and technology into international climate policy: carbon dioxide capture and storage in the UNFCCC

This paper describes how providing scientific information to negotiators assisted in achieving inclusion of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) during 2011. We provide specific examples of how scientific information from IEAGHG Research Networks in the areas of monitoring, modelling, environmental impacts and groundwater protection were used to address the issues of concern listed in the Cancun Decision (2010). Technical input was provided by members of IEAGHG Research Networks via the UNFCCC's technical workshop on Modalities and Procedures for CCS under the CDM, such that the negotiations in Durban (2011) were better informed by an understanding of the most recent technical information. The outcome was the agreement of CCS-specific modalities and procedures for including CCS in the CDM.