New policies and programs are needed to accelerate natural carbon solutions and to create long-term revenue streams for land management practices that result in increased carbon storage, reduced emissions, and other environmental benefits.

This synthesis report from the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Farm & Forest Carbon Solutions Initiative draws from a set of working papers prepared by experts in the NCS field to identify policy options for orienting federal programs to increase carbon storage in soils and trees.

BPC Energy Project Director Sasha Mackler testifies before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, highlighting the options available to the United States to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and advocating for passage of S. 2657, the American Energy Innovation Act.

Over the past year, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has led an effort reviewing the important implications of climate change risk to the U.S. financial system. Upon the release of the report, BPC President Jason Grumet moderated a conversation with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA), and leaders from the CFTC on the nature of these risks and how to manage them.

The BPC Energy Project launched its new Farm and Forest Carbon Solutions Initiative with an event on natural carbon removal by farm and forest lands. Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) gave keynote remarks, and then Robert Bonnie, Director of BPC’s Farm and Forest Carbon Solutions Initiative, led a panel discussion on opportunities to build a shared, bipartisan agenda that would unite stakeholders from agriculture, forestry, conservation groups, rural communities, and other related interests. This event was the first in an ongoing Farm and Forest event series.

The COVID-19 pandemic and economic shutdown that followed emphasized how critical broadband access is—with many Americans transitioning to telework and online learning, and telehealth services becoming vital in reducing the risk of coronavirus transmission. Expanding broadband services to currently underserved communities has the potential to create lasting economic, educational, and health benefits while also mitigating the risks of climate change.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused terrible economic damage that will require thoughtful solutions for rebuilding and recharging the economy. Policymakers should consider setting the stage now for long-term recovery by developing strategies that integrate economic and climate objectives, including meaningful investment in research, development, demonstration, and commercial deployment activities to advance direct air capture technology.