Publication of U.S. Government-Funded Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Handbook for Policymakers

In support of the Clean EDGE (Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy) Asia initiative, the Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) Assistant Secretary Geoffrey R. Pyatt and Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) Chief Counsel Stephen Gardner jointly announce the launch of the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage: Handbook for Policymakers.  This Handbook, sponsored by ENR and developed by CLDP, is a guide to empower legislators, ministries, regulators, and state-owned companies to adopt and enforce legal instruments that will rapidly and effectively deploy carbon capture, utilization, and storage capabilities.  The Handbook was created in close collaboration with experts from U.S. government agencies, foreign governments, multi-lateral organizations, industry, civil society, and academia.

In addition to full-scale mitigation efforts, the Administration has indicated that meeting global climate ambitions will require responsible deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies.  CCUS has a critical role to play in industrial sectors where emissions are challenging to address.  Likewise, CDR can help to counterbalance emissions that cannot be addressed by removing carbon dioxide from ambient air.  The United States and its partners are working now to help countries adopt CCUS policies, mobilize financing, deploy CCUS technologies, and reform laws and regulations to attract responsible CCUS investment.

The Departments of State and Commerce encourage government policymakers and regulators to make use of the Handbook and apply its recommendations as they pursue their climate and energy goals.  The Handbook is a starting point for understanding the policies, rules, and best practices that countries can adopt and implement to accelerate the deployment of CCUS.

ENR and CLDP will also leverage this guide to expand foreign technical assistance programming, supporting countries who seek advisory services on CCUS.  The English version of the Handbook, along with forthcoming versions of the Handbook in other languages, and other supporting resources on CCUS, can be found online here: Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Resources | Commercial Law Development Program (doc.gov)