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Oceanic Carbon Storage and Abatement Seminar

An international law perspective

At an evening seminar on 27 February 2024, Professor Alexander Proelss, a renowned expert from the University of Hamburg, explored the crucial role of international law in implementing marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) and carbon capture and storage (CCS) to mitigate climate change.

The sold-out event, organised by the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Innovation and Transformation (CENRIT) and the Transforming Energy Markets Research Centre (TEM), took place in the Michael Kirby Building Function Room at Macquarie University.

• Professor Proelss illuminated the challenges and necessities of global cooperation in harnessing negative emission technologies. He:
  holds the Chair in the International Law of the Sea and International Environmental Law, Public International Law and Public Law at the Faculty of Law at the University of Hamburg, Macquarie University's strategic partner
• was visiting Macquarie University as part of a successful Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) Grant led by Dr Constantinos Yiallourides, Senior Lecturer in International Law at Macquarie Law School.

CCS technologies are crucial for achieving the Paris Agreement's ambitious climate goals. The seminar specifically addressed the jurisdictional complexities of the various maritime zones, ranging from coastal state sovereignty to governance in areas beyond national jurisdiction, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and international climate change law.

The seminar underscored the importance of a unified legal and regulatory framework to facilitate the deployment of CCS technologies in offshore areas. As the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit temperature growth, Professor Proelss's insights into the legal pathways for authorising and implementing oceanic carbon storage projects were both timely and enlightening.

This event not only highlighted the crucial intersection between environmental law, energy law, and climate change mitigation strategies but also fostered a dialogue among professionals, academics, and students on the future of ocean decarbonisation technologies.

Guests travelled considerable distances to join the seminar, and participate in the Q&A session and the networking that followed. Discussions explored:

• ways for legal frameworks to support the global quest for sustainability and climate resilience
• showed the importance of CENRIT and TEM as centres for excellence in furthering knowledge and disseminating information through their programs of high-profile international guests as seminar presenters.

The seminar was introduced by Prof Lise Barry, Dean at Macquarie Law School. CENRIT and TEM leaders also contributed to the success of the seminar, including Dr Madeline Taylor, Dr Constantinos Yiallourides, Prof Tina Soliman Hunter who was the respondent to Professor Proelss, and Prof Stefan Trueck.

See the presentation slides here.