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July 2022

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The UNFCCC Secretariat has released a concept note on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) activities under the Article 6.4 Mechanism (the Concept Note), published as an annex to the annotated agenda of the first meeting of the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body (SB) taking place beginning today in Bonn, Germany. This bulletin provides a brief summary of the Concept Note. Alongside the Concept Note, the UNFCCC Secretariat also released draft rules of procedure for the SB and concept notes on SB work in 2022-2023, its support structure, share of proceeds, and guidelines on baselines and additionality. Overview. The Concept Note is the first step in the SB’s work to develop recommendations for CDR and includes analysis of possible CDR activities under the Article 6.4 Mechanism, including CDR monitoring, reporting, accounting, crediting periods and issues relating to addressing reversals, avoidance of leakage, and avoidance of other negative environmental and social impacts. We anticipate that CDR will be given particular attention at COP 27 set to take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt this November and note that the SB is due to make recommendations on CDR in advance of the COP. Key issues and analysis. The Concept Note provides analysis on the following key issues: Types of CDR activities. The Concept Note defines CDR as “anthropogenic activities that remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and ensure its long-term storage in terrestrial, geological, or ocean reservoirs, or in long-lasting products” and acknowledges that CDR cannot serve as a substitute for deep emissions reductions, but can fulfil multiple complementary roles (including near-term reductions, addressing residual emissions from ‘hard-to-transition’ sectors, and achieving and sustaining net-negative in the long-term). The Concept Note breaks CDR out into the following categories: Afforestation and reforestation (A/R) and revegetation; Sustainable forest management;  Wetlands restoration and re-wetting;  Agroforestry; Urban forestry; Soil organic carbon enhancement in croplands…