Carbon Management and Negative Emissions

Many scientists agree that reducing or even eliminating future greenhouse gas emissions will not, by itself, be sufficient to avoid catastrophic climate change. In addition, it will also be necessary to remove previously emitted greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, and store or utilize them in some way. This can be done using a range of carbon management and negative emission technologies. The Sabin Center conducts research on legal issues associated with the development and use of carbon management and negative emissions technologies.

For more information, please contact Sabin Center Deputy Director Romany Webb at [email protected].

The Sabin Center and the New York Sea Grant is holding a writing competition for law students interested in writing on legal and policy issues associated with marine carbon dioxide removal. The winning article will be featured in a special issue of the Sea Grant Law & Policy Journal, which will accompany a September symposium on the topic “Navigating Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal: From Science to Regulation”. Details on eligibility criteria and submission guidelines is available here.

Deadline to submit is June 15, 2025.

CDRlaw.org: The CDR Law database compiles legal materials pertaining to carbon dioxide removal, utilization, and storage. The database was developed in collaboration with the Carbon Management Research Initiative of the Center for Global Energy Policy at the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs and the Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy at American University.

Best Practices for Community Benefits Agreements for Direct Air Capture Hubs

In conjunction with a guide on Expert Insights on Best Practices for Community Benefits Agreements, the Sabin Center published a database of publicly available Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) that may serve as a model for direct air capture projects.

The Legal Framework for Atmospheric Methane Removal

The Sabin Center is researching the international and domestic (U.S.) laws governing activities aimed at removing methane from the atmosphere. Methane removal techniques being explored include atmospheric oxidation enhancement and ecosystem methane removal enhancement, including via soil amendments. We have published reports analyzing the application of the Paris Agreement to atmospheric methane removal and its treatment under domestic U.S. law (see here and here).

The Legal Framework for Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal

The Sabin Center is researching various legal and policy issues associated with marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR). We have published a series of white papers analyzing the international and U.S. federal laws applicable to ocean fertilization, ocean alkalinity enhancement, artificial upwelling and downwelling, and seaweed cultivation and sinking. We have also evaluated the role U.S. states play in regulating certain mCDR techniques, including ocean alkalinity enhancement (both generally and specifically in Washington state) and seaweed sinking (in California and Florida). We have also published a book that compares the domestic legal framework applicable to mCDR in Canada, China, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the U.K., and the U.S.

Model Legislation for Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal Research

The Sabin Center published model federal legislation to advance safe and responsible ocean carbon dioxide removal research in U.S. waters. The model legislation builds on input from dozens of scientists, government representatives, companies, and interested community members. The purpose of this proposed model legislation is to establish clear and efficient permitting regime for in-ocean CDR research. At the same time, the model legislation builds in consultation, monitoring, and other safeguards to ensure research occurs in a scientifically-sound manner and minimizes potential risks to the environment and communities. Ocean Visions provided funding for the project. A summary document is available here and the model legislation is available here.

Solid Carbon

The Sabin Center is participating in an interdisciplinary research study, funded by the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, known as “Solid Carbon.” The project aims to assess the feasibility of developing an integrated, offshore negative emissions system to cap ture and storage carbon dioxide in the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of Canada. For more information, visit the project website here

Offshore Carbon Storage in the Northeastern U.S.

In 2016-17, the Sabin Center partnered with scientists at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory to assess the feasibility of carbon dioxide storage in sub-seabed basalt rock formations off the northeast U.S. Coast. The study assessed the legal and regulatory framework for offshore storage at the federal level and in the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. A report, documenting the findings of the study, is available here.

Books

Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal for Climate Mitigation: The Legal Framework, Romany M. Webb, Korey Silverman-Roati, and Michael B. Gerrard (eds) (April 2023)

Climate Engineering and the Law: Regulation and Liability for Solar Radiation Management and Carbon Dioxide Removal, Michael B. Gerrard and Tracy Hester (eds) (March 2018)

Articles and White Papers/Reports

Methane Removal Under the Paris Agreement, by Romany M. Webb (July 2025)

Regulation of Sargassum Removal and Sinking in Florida, by Ashwin Murthy, Korey Silverman-Roati & Romany M. Webb (May 2025)

Liability Considerations for Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Projects in U.S. Waters, by Korey Silverman-Roati, Martin Lockman, and Romany M. Webb (March 2025)

The Role of Marine CO2 Removal in Combating Climate Change, by Sarah Vican, Meghan Gavin, Wil Burns, Douglas Edwards, and Romany M. Webb (February 2025)

Regulation of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement in Washington State, by Ashwin Murthy, Korey Silverman-Roati & Romany M. Webb (January 2025)

Removing Methane via Soil Amendments: The Legal Framework, by Korey Silverman-Roati, and Romany M. Webb (December 2024)

State Authority to Regulate Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement, by Ashwin Murthy, Korey Silverman-Roati, and Romany M. Webb (December 2024)

Legal Considerations for Atmospheric Methane Removal, by Korey Silverman-Roati and Romany M. Webb (October 2024)

Removing Methane via Atmospheric Oxidation Enhancement: The Legal Framework, by Romany M. Webb, Martin Lockman, and Korey Silverman-Roati (July 2024)

International Governance of Ocean-Based Carbon Dioxide Removal: Recent Developments and Future Directions, by Romany M. Webb (April 2024)

Executive Actions to Ensure Safe and Responsible Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal Research in the United States, by Romany M. Webb and Korey Silverman-Roati (November 2023)

Permitting CO2 Pipelines, by Martin Lockman (September 2023)

Developing Model Federal Legislation to Advance Safe and Responsible Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal Research in the United States, by Romany M. Webb and Korey Silverman-Roati (March 2023)

Removing Carbon Dioxide Through Ocean Fertilization: Legal Challenges and Opportunities, Korey Silverman-Roati, Romany M. Webb, and Michael B. Gerrard (July 2022)

Permitting Seaweed Cultivation for Carbon Sequestration in California: Barriers and Recommendations, by Korey Silverman-Roati, Romany M. Webb, and Michael B. Gerrard, June 23, 2022

Removing Carbon Dioxide Through Artificial Upwelling and Downwelling: Legal Challenges and Opportunities, by Romany M. Webb, Korey Silverman-Roati, and Michael B. Gerrard (May 2022)

A Research Strategy for Ocean-based Carbon Dioxide Removal and Sequestration, the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, December 8, 2021 (co-authored by Romany Webb)

Removing Carbon Dioxide Through Seaweed Cultivation: Legal Challenges and Opportunities, by Korey Silverman-Roati, Romany M. Webb, and Michael B. Gerrard, September, 7 2021

Removing Carbon Dioxide Through Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement: Legal Challenges and Opportunities, by Romany M. Webb, Korey Silverman-Roati, and Michael B. Gerrard, August 30, 2021

The Law of Enhanced Weathering for Carbon Dioxide Removal: Volume 2 -- Legal Issues Associated With Materials Sourcing, by Romany M. Webb (March 2021)

The Legal Framework for Offshore Carbon Capture and Storage in Canada, by Romany Webb and Michael B. Gerrard (February 2021)

Removing Carbon Dioxide Through Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement and Seaweed Cultivation: Legal Challenges and Opportunities, by Romany Webb, Korey Silverman and Michael B. Gerrard (February 2021)

The Law of Enhanced Weathering for Carbon Dioxide Removal, by Romany M. Webb (September 2020)

Direct air capture: An emerging necessity to fight climate change, by Michael B. Gerrard (ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, March/April 2020)

Going Negative: The Next Horizon in Climate Engineering Law, by Tracy Hester and Michael B. Gerrard (Natural Resources & Environment, vol. 32 no. 4, Spring 2018)

Overcoming Impediments to Offshore Carbon Dioxide Storage: Legal Issues in the U.S. and Canada, by Romany M. Webb and Michael B. Gerrard (March 2018)

Policy Readiness for Offshore Carbon Dioxide Storage in the Northeast, by Romany M. Webb and Michael B. Gerrard (June 2017)