The Carbon Curve

Episode 47 is with Giana Amador, Executive Director at Carbon Removal AllianceMonitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) is critical to ensuring carbon removal quality, but what is the role of public policy to enable MRV to deliver on this promise? Giana Amador, Executive Director at Carbon Removal Alliance, describes the catalytic role government can play in supporting MRV standards, fostering transparency, and promoting community benefits for long-term carbon removal industry growth. We also discuss the significance of the newly introduced 45BB production tax credit aimed at fostering technological diversity in carbon removal solutions.In this episode, Na’im and Giana discuss:* Giana’s journey in carbon removal;* the mission of Carbon Removal Alliance to scale permanent carbon removal;* The evolution of the carbon removal sector;* The significance of bipartisan support for CDR;* Challenges and opportunities in monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) standards;* The role of government in building a high-quality permanent carbon removal industry;* The importance of transparent data sharing to increase trust and understanding of carbon removal impacts; and* The promising potential of the Carbon Dioxide Removal Investment Act.Relevant Links:* Carbon Removal Alliance - Website* Establishing quality in carbon removal - MRV Policy Roadmap* The Carbon Dioxide Removal Investment Act - The Bill - Senator Bennet (D-Colo.) and Senator Murkowski (R-Alaska) * Carbon Dioxide Removal Investment Act - World Resources InstituteAbout Giana:Giana Amador is the Executive Director of the Carbon Removal Alliance. The Carbon Removal Alliance bridges the gap between carbon removal innovators and US policymakers to help scale a diverse set of permanent carbon removal technologies. In 2015, Giana co-founded the first dedicated carbon removal organization, Carbon180. At Carbon180, Giana wore many hats — from guiding the team’s strategy and communications to ultimately leading its policy program. During her time as policy director, Giana advocated for landmark carbon removal policies, including the $3.5 billion for direct air capture hubs in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the first-ever dedicated carbon removal research program in the Energy Act of 2020. Giana has provided testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee and advised presidential campaigns on carbon removal.About Carbon Removal Alliance:The Carbon Removal Alliance is a nonprofit coalition working to build a gigaton-scale industry that is categorically good for the climate, economy, and people. CRA narrows the gap between innovators and policymakers working to remove carbon from our atmosphere by translating the realities of building carbon removal projects into government programs that help the field scale. Alliance members are responsible for virtually all of the permanent carbon removal to date and represent an emerging class of companies who can help the US meet its climate goals. This episode was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Consecon Foundation.This episode was created and published by Na’im Merchant. Episode production and content support provided by Tank Chen.Na’im Merchant is the co-founder and Executive Director of Carbon Removal Canada, a policy initiative focused on scaling carbon removal in Canada. He is on the advisory board of the Carbon Removal Standards Initiative and Terraset, and a former policy fellow with Elemental Impact. He previously ran carbon removal consulting practice Carbon Curve, and publishes The Carbon Curve newsletter and podcast. Every two weeks, Na’im will release a short interview with individuals advancing the policies, technologies, and collective action needed to scale up carbon removal around the world.Tank Chen is the Head of Content and Community at CDR.fyi, a public benefit corporation dedicated to accelerating carbon removal through transparency. He is also the co-founder of CDRjobs, a career platform for the carbon removal industry. Based in Taiwan, Tank is a carbon removal advocate focused on educating policymakers, corporate leaders, and the public on the importance of carbon removal, using data-driven insights to support communication and policy advocacy.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app or subscribe via The Carbon Curve newsletter here. If you’d like to get in touch with Na’im, you can reach out via LinkedIn. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carboncurve.substack.com

Episode 46 is with Josh Albert, Associate Partner with KONUYou’ll often hear people say climate is a systems problem, but we in the carbon removal field don’t have a useful framework for driving systems change. In this episode, we explore the complexities of climate change, going beyond single solutions and acknowledging the diverse stakeholders and shifting systems involved. Our guest introduces the Adaptive Leadership Framework, a unique approach to driving systems change. We'll discuss its potential in combatting climate change and scaling carbon removal.In this episode, Na’im and Josh discuss:* Josh’s journey from working on the global health sector to his current role;* Josh’s experience at KONU and the organization’s focus around leadership development;* Key concepts around Social Systems and Adaptive Leadership* Challenges in tackling complex problems;* Case Study: Gina Raimondo's Leadership in Pension Reform;* Systems Change in Carbon Removal: Technical vs. Adaptive Problem Solving;* Ways to address resistance to change and identifying stakeholder losses; and* Engaging skeptical stakeholders and building trust among stakeholdersRelevant Links:* KONU - Website* On the Balcony - Podcast by KONU* The Leadership Life - Blog by KONU* Adaptive Leadership in 12 Minutes (YouTube)* Adaptive Leadership - Harvard Business Publishing Education (paywall)* The Theory Behind the Practice: A Brief Introduction to the Adaptive Leadership Framework - Harvard Busines Review Press (paywall)* 5 Key Essentials Of Adaptive Leadership - Brent Gleeson (paywall)* Leading Pension Reform in Rhode Island - HKS Case Program (paywall)About Josh Albert:Josh is an Associate Partner with KONU, a leadership development and change advising firm. He brings expertise in team leadership and systems change, and he is a trained adaptive leadership coach and facilitator. Josh holds a Master’s in Public Policy with a focus on leadership and institutional development from the Harvard Kennedy School.Previously, Josh spent eight years with Last Mile Health, a health justice nonprofit that partners with governments to build health systems serving remote communities. During his time there, he served as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing in-country operations in Liberia for four years, including during the Ebola outbreak. Josh played a key role in establishing the organization as a national leader within Liberia’s health system. Together, he and Na’im collaborated to orchestrate a partnership with the Liberian government that scaled Last Mile Health’s model for delivering remote health systems to every community in the country.About Konu:KONU partners with mission-driven organizations to craft adult learning experiences that help people unlock progress on their most difficult leadership challenges and change goals. Clients include the UN, the World Bank, US National Park Service, the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, Marriott International.This episode was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Consecon Foundation.This episode was created and published by Na’im Merchant. Episode production and content support provided by Tank Chen.Na’im Merchant is the co-founder and Executive Director of Carbon Removal Canada, a policy initiative focused on scaling carbon removal in Canada. He is on the advisory board of the Carbon Removal Standards Initiative and Terraset, and a former policy fellow with Elemental Impact. He previously ran carbon removal consulting practice Carbon Curve, and publishes The Carbon Curve newsletter and podcast. Every two weeks, Na’im will release a short interview with individuals advancing the policies, technologies, and collective action needed to scale up carbon removal around the world.Tank Chen is the Head of Content and Community at CDR.fyi, a public benefit corporation dedicated to accelerating carbon removal through transparency. He is also the co-founder of CDRjobs, a career platform for the carbon removal industry. Based in Taiwan, Tank is a carbon removal advocate focused on educating policymakers, corporate leaders, and the public on the importance of carbon removal, using data-driven insights to support communication and policy advocacy.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app or subscribe via The Carbon Curve newsletter here. If you’d like to get in touch with Na’im, you can reach out via LinkedIn. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carboncurve.substack.com

Episode 45 is with Eli Mitchell-Larson, Co-founder and Chief Scientist at Carbon Gap, and Robert Höglund, Co-founder of CDR.fyi and Fund Manager at Milkywire.Today Na’im speaks with Eli and Robert about their latest publication titled “All excess emissions must be removed”, which argues for the central role of carbon removal (CDR) to address the global carbon debt, especially among historically high emitters, not only the “residual emissions” remaining at the year of net zero - and how this reframing expands the use case for carbon removal.In this episode, Na’im, Eli, and Robert discuss:* Previous research collaborations - the ability to pay and mitigation deterrence;* The significance of carbon budgets;* The definition(s) of residual emissions and CDR optimal emissions;* The need for large-scale carbon removal and the role of historic emitters;* Justice issues and the equitable management of carbon budgets; and* The importance of innovative carbon removal use cases.Relevant Links:* Carbon Gap’s Website* Who Can Pay for Carbon Removal? - Carbon Gap* How to avoid carbon removal delaying emissions reductions - Carbon Gap* All excess emissions must be removed - Carbon Gap* Marginal Carbon Substack* Warming caused by cumulative carbon emissions towards the trillionth tonne - MR Allen et alAbout Eli:Eli Mitchell-Larson is a climate advocate, policy entrepreneur, and researcher based at the University of Oxford. He is co-founder and Chief Scientist at Carbon Gap, Europe’s leading NGO focused on building expertise and policy proposals to responsibly scale carbon dioxide removal. As a research Associate @ Oxford Net Zero, his work has helped form the basis of scientific frameworks to define durable net zero, climate-compatible offsetting (Oxford Offsetting Principles), supply-side climate policies (Carbon Takeback Obligation).About Robert:Robert Höglund manages the charitable Milkywire Climate Transformation Fund, Co-founded the market overview CDR.fyi, writes for Carbon Gap, as well as his own publication Marginal Carbon.This episode was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Consecon Foundation.This episode was created and published by Na’im Merchant. Episode production and content support provided by Tank Chen.Na’im Merchant is the co-founder and Executive Director of Carbon Removal Canada, a policy initiative focused on scaling carbon removal in Canada. He is on the advisory board of the Carbon Removal Standards Initiative and Terraset, and a former policy fellow with Elemental Impact. He previously ran carbon removal consulting practice Carbon Curve, and publishes The Carbon Curve newsletter and podcast. Every two weeks, Na’im will release a short interview with individuals advancing the policies, technologies, and collective action needed to scale up carbon removal around the world.Tank Chen is the Head of Content and Community at CDR.fyi, a public benefit corporation dedicated to accelerating carbon removal through transparency. He is also the co-founder of CDRjobs, a career platform for the carbon removal industry. Based in Taiwan, Tank is a carbon removal advocate focused on educating policymakers, corporate leaders, and the public on the importance of carbon removal, using data-driven insights to support communication and policy advocacy. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app or subscribe via The Carbon Curve newsletter here. If you’d like to get in touch with Na’im, you can reach out via LinkedIn. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carboncurve.substack.com

Episode 44 is with Jim Mann, Founder and CEO of UNDOA few weeks ago, Microsoft inked a new 15,000 ton carbon removal deal with UNDO and similar deals with other enhanced rock weathering (ERW) companies. Na’im speaks with Jim Mann, Founder and CEO of UNDO, about the company’s efforts in scaling carbon removal through ERW both in the U.K. and in Canada.In this episode, Na’im and Jim discuss:* The origin of UNDO and the reasons for exploring ERW as the key CDR method; * The operational processes at UNDO;* UNDO’s experience going through the XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition;* The company’s approach to measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV);* Partnerships with academia, local community, and businesses in the supply-chain;* UNDO’s expansion into Canada and future goals; and* Impactful policy supportRelevant Links:* UNDO Website* UNDO LinkedIn* UK Government memo on ERW* Canadian Wollastonite website * UNDO X Newcastle Peer-reviewed paper in Plos One* Xprize Carbon Removal - Top 20 Finalists AnnouncementAbout JimWith a background in ecology, combined with extensive experience in scaling businesses, Jim was drawn to the fight against climate change and the ecological disaster it’s bringing with it. In 2019, Jim co-founded The Future Forest Company - a reforestation effort with a mission to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and restore biodiversity across the UK.  Realising that tree planting could only go so far in helping solve the climate crisis, UNDO was born with the aim of delivering large-scale carbon removal projects with a permanence of 100,000+ years. When Jim is not busy creating a liveable planet for future generations, he runs competitively at ultra-distance, his favourite events being 100-mile or more mountain races. He lives in Scotland with his partner Liz and their two young children. About UNDOWith pioneering enhanced rock weathering technology, UNDO generates durable, high-quality carbon removal to support businesses on their pathway to net zero. This nature-based process also improves soil fertility, food security and the health of our oceans. Since 2022, UNDO has worked at the cutting edge of science alongside experts in the climate, carbon and agricultural sectors to develop an ERW technology which accelerates natural weathering processes to remove carbon from the atmosphere while bringing soil and crop benefits to agricultural communities. The UNDO operational, scientific and technical model leverages existing infrastructure, with a carbon efficiency of greater than 90 percent, allowing UNDO to quickly scale operations whilst offering carbon removal at competitive prices. UNDO aims to be the first company to remove one million tonnes of CO₂, a first step towards billion-tonne scale global operations. They operate primarily in the United Kingdom and now, Canada.This episode was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Consecon Foundation.This episode was created and published by Na’im Merchant. Episode production and content support provided by Tank Chen.Na’im Merchant is the co-founder and Executive Director of Carbon Removal Canada, a policy initiative focused on scaling carbon removal in Canada. He is also a policy fellow with Elemental Excelerator. He previously ran carbon removal consulting practice Carbon Curve, and publishes The Carbon Curve newsletter and podcast. Every two weeks, Na’im will release a short interview with individuals advancing the policies, technologies, and collective action needed to scale up carbon removal around the world.Tank Chen is a carbon removal advocate based in Taiwan whose focus is on communicating the importance of carbon removal to policy makers, corporate leaders, and the broader public through education, communications, and policy advocacy.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app or subscribe via The Carbon Curve newsletter here. If you’d like to get in touch with Na’im, you can reach out via LinkedIn. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carboncurve.substack.com

Luke Connell, a leader at CarbonRun focused on carbon removal initiatives, and Shannon Sterling, an environmental scientist advocating impactful climate solutions, discuss a landmark $25M offtake agreement with Frontier Climate. They dive into the significance of revitalizing freshwater ecosystems and explore innovative strategies like river alkalinity enhancement. The duo highlights the challenges of scaling technology, the economic benefits for local communities, and the vital role of community engagement in fostering public trust and support for environmental initiatives.

Episode 42 is with Sebastian Manhart, Senior Policy Advisor at CarbonfutureSebastian Manhart discusses recent carbon dioxide removal (CDR) policies in Europe and the U.S. He points out key policy achievements, compares the EU's and U.S.'s different CDR approaches, and emphasizes the importance as well as the challenges of integrating CDR into compliance markets. He also mentions his own projects aimed at advancing the CDR industry.In this episode, Na’im and Sebastian discuss:* recent developments in carbon removal policies across Europe and the U.S.;* significant policy wins over the past year;* key legislative approaches to the EU’s carbon removal policies* Progress from individual European countries in CDR;* the approaches of the EU and the U.S.;* the potential and readiness of integrating CDR into compliance markets;* the importance of government roles and the need for developing domestic CDR industries;* the founding of the German CDR Association, DVNE, the U.S. Biochar Coalition, and CDRjobs.Relevant Links:* How the EU is shaping policies to pursue global leadership in carbon removal (2023)* Carbonfuture website * CDRjobs website * US Biochar Coalition website* Enhanced Weathering Alliance website* Deutscher Verband für Negative Emissionen (DVNE) website* Carbon Gap funding EU vs US analysis* Sebastian Manhart (LinkedIn, Website, Newsletter)* Compliance Market Poll* Denmark’s Livestock TaxAbout Sebastian:Sebastian Manhart is a CDR policy expert. He is the Senior Policy Advisor of Carbonfuture, the world’s leading CDR platform. Sebastian is also the Chair of the Board of the DVNE, the German CDR Association, as well as a founding Director of the US Biochar Coalition. Sebastian also recently founded CDRjobs, the sector’s leading job platform. Previously, Sebastian spent a decade as a tech entrepreneur, advised Angela Merkel´s Chancellery, and worked with governments globally through the World Bank. Sebastian is an economist with a BA from UCL and an MPhil from Cambridge University.About Carbonfuture: Carbonfuture builds the trust infrastructure needed to scale CDR. It operates across pathways, focused on developing both MRV and marketplaces services.The DVNE is the German CDR association, supporting the German government in achieving its ambitious 2045 net-zero target.The US Biochar Coalition aims to establish high-quality, permanent biochar carbon removal as a key pillar in American industrial and climate strategy.CDRjobs is the one stop shop for anyone transitioning into, or within CDR with all jobs in CDR in a single place.This episode was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Consecon Foundation.This episode was created and published by Na’im Merchant. Episode production and content support provided by Tank Chen.Na’im Merchant is the co-founder and Executive Director of Carbon Removal Canada, a policy initiative focused on scaling carbon removal in Canada. He is also a policy fellow with Elemental Excelerator. He previously ran carbon removal consulting practice Carbon Curve, and publishes The Carbon Curve newsletter and podcast. Every two weeks, Na’im will release a short interview with individuals advancing the policies, technologies, and collective action needed to scale up carbon removal around the world.Tank Chen is a carbon removal advocate based in Taiwan whose focus is on communicating the importance of carbon removal to policy makers, corporate leaders, and the broader public through education, communications, and policy advocacy.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app or subscribe via The Carbon Curve newsletter here. If you’d like to get in touch with Na’im, you can reach out via LinkedIn. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carboncurve.substack.com

Episode 41 is with Noah Deich, Senior Advisor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon ManagementToday Na’im speaks with Noah Deich about how the US Department of Energy (DOE) is contributing to the carbon removal landscape through innovative programs and policies aimed at decarbonizing the energy sector and advancing carbon removal technologies. In this episode, Na’im and Noah discuss:* Noah's journey into the carbon removal space; * The role of DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management;* Key innovation programs and initiatives supporting carbon removal; * The Carbon Negative Shot initiative and its goals;* The importance of Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) in carbon removal projects;* The DOE’s pilot program for purchasing carbon removal credits;* Community benefits and engagement in carbon removal projects;* Approaches in driving market demand for carbon removal.Relevant Links:* DOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management* Carbon Negative Shot* Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchase Pilot Prize* Direct Air Capture Pre-Commercial Technology Prize* Commercial Direct Air Capture Pilot Prize* The Roads to Removal (R2R) Report* Na’im’s reflections on the unveiling of Mammoth in IcelandAbout Noah:Noah Deich is a Senior Advisor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. Noah came to FECM from Carbon180, which he co-founded to catalyze the development of a portfolio of carbon removal solutions. Prior to that, Noah was an economic and management consultant with Accenture and ICF international, where he gained experience in many fields including environmental market and carbon offset modeling and renewable and fossil energy power plants valuations. Noah received his MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and his BA from the University of VirginiaAbout DOE FECM:The DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) minimizes environmental and climate impacts of fossil fuels and industrial processes while working to achieve net-zero emissions across the U.S. economy. Priority areas of technology work include carbon capture, carbon conversion, carbon dioxide removal, carbon dioxide transport and storage, hydrogen production with carbon management, methane emissions reduction, and critical minerals production. To learn more, visit the FECM website, sign up for FECM news announcements, and visit the National Energy Technology Laboratory website.This episode was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Consecon Foundation.This episode was created and published by Na’im Merchant. Episode production and content support provided by Tank Chen.Na’im Merchant is the co-founder and Executive Director of Carbon Removal Canada, a policy initiative focused on scaling carbon removal in Canada. He is also a policy fellow with Elemental Excelerator. He previously ran carbon removal consulting practice Carbon Curve, and publishes The Carbon Curve newsletter and podcast. Every two weeks, Na’im will release a short interview with individuals advancing the policies, technologies, and collective action needed to scale up carbon removal around the world.Tank Chen is a carbon removal advocate based in Taiwan whose focus is on communicating the importance of carbon removal to policy makers, corporate leaders, and the broader public through education, communications, and policy advocacy.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app or subscribe via The Carbon Curve newsletter here. If you’d like to get in touch with Na’im, you can reach out via LinkedIn. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carboncurve.substack.com

Anu Khan, founder and Executive Director of the Carbon Removal Standards Initiative, discusses her groundbreaking work in advancing carbon removal standards. She emphasizes the vital role of Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) for achieving accountability and justice in carbon removal efforts. Anu highlights the initiative's approach to providing unbiased information to policymakers while bridging gaps in carbon quantification standards. The conversation also touches on the importance of establishing robust methodologies tailored to various industries to support effective climate action.

Episode 39 is with Mark Cyffka, Co-Founder and COO of AirMyne. Today Na’im speaks with Mark Cyffka about common barriers to scaling the different approaches of direct air capture technologies, how AirMyne is looking to bypass those barriers with its technology, what the cost trajectory of DAC will be between now and 2050, and how to think about the modularity versus large-system approaches of developing DAC technologies.In this episode, Na’im and Mark discuss:* AirMyne’s progress since the company was launched;* Common barriers to scaling direct air capture today;* AirMyne’s technology;* Cost trajectory for DAC by 2050;* AirMyne’s partnership with CO2 offtakes and its’ role in in the two Regional DAC Hub projects in parallel to its partners;* Policy initiatives to address gaps in the scaling of DAC; and* The importance of social acceptance for DAC to scale.Relevant Links:* AirMyne’s website* “Hello world, we’re AirMyne.”* TechCrunch - “AirMyne taps geothermal energy to scale direct air carbon capture”* ETH Zurich - Cost of direct air carbon capture to remain higher than hoped* Berkeley Lab - Exploring Community-Centered Direct Air Capture* U.S. Department of Energy - Project Selections for FOA 2735: Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs – Topic Area 1 (Feasibility) and Topic Area 2 (Design)About Mark:Mark Cyffka is the co-founder at AirMyne where he leads day to day operations. Before AirMyne, Mark spent more than a decade in operations roles in the deeptech ecosystem, including sales, engineering, and product management roles. At BASF, Mark helped invent & commercialize products used to manufacture EVs and solar power systems. After the success of that product led to a spin-out, Mark advised the Finnish government on deeptech innovation with a focus on climate. Mark studied chemistry at Harvey Mudd College.About AirMyne:AirMyne is a company working to scale high-quality carbon removal through direct air capture (DAC). The company is based in Berkeley, California and employs 19 people. AirMyne has built, demonstrated, and patented a low-temperature, solvent-based DAC approach designed for low cost, safety, and scalability. This episode was created and published by Na’im Merchant. Episode production and content support provided by Tank Chen.Na’im Merchant is the co-founder and Executive Director of Carbon Removal Canada, a policy initiative focused on scaling carbon removal in Canada. He is also a policy fellow with Elemental Excelerator. He previously ran carbon removal consulting practice Carbon Curve, and publishes The Carbon Curve newsletter and podcast. Every two weeks, Na’im will release a short interview with individuals advancing the policies, technologies, and collective action needed to scale up carbon removal around the world.Tank Chen is a carbon removal advocate based in Taiwan whose focus is on communicating the importance of carbon removal to policy makers, corporate leaders, and the broader public through education, communications, and policy advocacy.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app or subscribe via The Carbon Curve newsletter here. If you’d like to get in touch with Na’im, you can reach out via LinkedIn. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carboncurve.substack.com

Episode 38 is with Dai Ellis (Co-founder and CEO) and Vilas Rao (Co-founder) of Cascade Climate.Today Na’im speaks with Dai Ellis and Vilas Rao about how Cascade Climate is working to address key challenges in open-system carbon dioxide removal (CDR), particularly around quantification of enhanced rock weathering (ERW), why a community-built quantification standard is key to increase consistency in MRV practices across the ERW market, and how to encourage industry adoption and data sharing to advance understanding of ERW.In this episode, Na’im, Dai, and Vilas discuss:* The co-founders’ vision for launching and building Cascade;* The problem Cascade was founded to solve;* The reason for focusing on ERW and the key challenges associated;* The current state of net removal quantification and the reason for creating a community-built standard;* Incentives to encourage adoption and implementation of the community-built standard;* The importance of having data-access and encouraging data-sharing in driving shared learning and building trust;* The role policymakers play in ERW;* Responsible deployment of ERW in the Global South; and* The good-movie and the bad-movie versions of open-system climate intervention.Relevant Links:* Carbon Curve Podcast Ep. 3 - “Dai Ellis on what scaling up HIV medicines can teach us about building a thriving carbon removal market”* The Great Unwind - Substack by Dai Ellis* Carbon Travels - Substack by John Sanchez* Foundations for a Healthy ERW Market Cycle - Blog Post* Cascade Climate on OpenAir’s This is CDR webinar series* Cascade Climate websiteAbout Dai:Dai Ellis is CEO and co-founder at Cascade Climate. Dai is an entrepreneur with deep experience founding and scaling high-performing nonprofit and for-profit ventures across climate, health, and education. He has co-founded five different ventures and paid forward what he’s learned the hard way as an executive coach to climate tech founders and CEOs. Earlier in his career, Dai led the Clinton Health Access Initiative’s pioneering work on market shaping for drugs, vaccines, and other health products in the Global South. More recently, he has been at the forefront of efforts to import learning and tools from global health market shaping into climate tech.About Vilas:Vilas Rao is a co-founder at Cascade Climate. Vilas has been growing businesses in the agriculture technology space for the past decade, looking for ways to apply technology to agricultural production systems to drive a more sustainable and secure food supply. Prior to Cascade, Vilas was the Chief Revenue Officer for Arable Labs, which delivers a real-time crop monitoring solution for farming. Earlier in his career, Vilas led the scale up of FieldView, the largest data platform and partner ecosystem in agriculture while at The Climate Corporation. Vilas got his start in agriculture working with smallholder farmers in Nepal, which led to his lifelong fascination with the connections between the food system, economic opportunity, and our planetary footprint.About Cascade Climate:Cascade Climate works to accelerate progress in climate interventions that leverage Earth’s natural systems—from soils to oceans to glaciers—to stabilize our climate. As a philanthropically-backed nonprofit, Cascade coordinates and resources ambitious initiatives across science, industry, philanthropy, and policy to overcome the core bottlenecks that are holding back the most promising open-system climate interventions. Its initial focus is advancing the development of a healthy market for enhanced rock weathering (ERW), underpinned by its scientific evidence base and its potential for durable, gigaton-scale carbon dioxide removal.This episode was created and published by Na’im Merchant. Episode production and content support provided by Tank Chen.Na’im Merchant is the co-founder and Executive Director of Carbon Removal Canada, a policy initiative focused on scaling carbon removal in Canada. He is also a policy fellow with Elemental Excelerator. He previously ran carbon removal consulting practice Carbon Curve, and publishes The Carbon Curve newsletter and podcast. Every two weeks, Na’im will release a short interview with individuals advancing the policies, technologies, and collective action needed to scale up carbon removal around the world.Tank Chen is a carbon removal advocate based in Taiwan whose focus is on communicating the importance of carbon removal to policy makers, corporate leaders, and the broader public through education, communications, and policy advocacy.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app or subscribe via The Carbon Curve newsletter here. If you’d like to get in touch with Na’im, you can reach out via LinkedIn. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carboncurve.substack.com