The CDR Policy Scoop Is the UK quietly leading the CDR charge? - with Ted Christie-Miller
Jul 29, 2025
Ted Christie-Miller, co-founder of Residual, dives into the UK's evolving role in carbon dioxide removal policy. He discusses the UK’s pioneering Net-Zero Strategy and its ambitious targets, and how recent government plans aim to integrate carbon removals into the UK Emissions Trading System. The conversation also tackles the challenges of funding mechanisms and the complexities of Contracts for Difference in promoting carbon removal. Christie-Miller sheds light on the political landscape and how innovation is crucial for the UK to solidify its leadership in global carbon management.
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UK ETS Removal Integration Flexibility
- The UK government’s ETS removal integration is tech-agnostic with a 200-year permanence standard.
- This approach leaves room for biochar and enhanced weathering, beyond initial methods like BECCS and Drax.
Cummings Boosted UK Carbon Removal
- Dominic Cummings sparked UK's initial carbon removal momentum by pushing direct air capture funding around 2019-2020.
- This led to broader government investment in multiple carbon removal methods.
UK Carbon Removal Ambitions & Funding
- Carbon removal targets in the UK are ambitions, not legally binding targets.
- Funding will start with innovation prizes and Contracts for Difference, primarily channeling removals through the regulated UK ETS market.