IKEM was represented by Dr. Michael Kalis, Till Reinholz, and Simon Großmann at the 4th International Conference on Carbon Dioxide Removal (formerly the International Conference on Negative CO₂ Emissions), held in Milan from June 10 to 12, 2026. This internationally renowned conference was organized primarily by the CMCC Foundation as part of the EU-funded Horizon Europe project UPTAKE and brought together representatives from academia, politics, and industry to discuss current developments and challenges in the field of CO₂ removal (Carbon Dioxide Removal, CDR).
The presentation by Dr. Michael Kalis, titled “Justice and Equity in Carbon Dioxide Removal Frameworks: Legal Concepts, Regulatory Anchors, and Modes of Operationalization in the EU,” received particular attention. It focused on issues of justice and fairness in the regulation of CDR in the European Union. The presentation highlighted which legal foundations already exist and how relevant principles can be effectively integrated into and operationalized within European CDR frameworks in the future.
The ensuing discussion highlighted the growing importance of legal perspectives for the development of effective, legitimate, and socially sustainable governance structures in the field of CDR. At the same time, it became clear that the design of such frameworks relies on close interdisciplinary exchange—precisely the approach that the UPTAKE project has pursued since its inception. The collaboration within this international and interdisciplinary consortium has already yielded numerous scholarly publications, knowledge transfer and dialogue formats such as webinars, and a broad-based stakeholder forum.
