Carbon Management Challenge
Stored: Carbon Management Challenge
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management |
| Top Organization | Department of Energy |
| Creation Legislation | Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | The Carbon Management Challenge catalyzes private sector purchases of high-quality carbon dioxide removal credits. It aims to enhance market transparency and scale carbon dioxide removal to meet net-zero goals. |
| Program Start | 2024 |
| Initial Funding | Congressional appropriations |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
Carbon Management Challenge is a Department of Energy initiative led by the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management that encourages organizations across the United States to purchase high-quality carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits, amplifying DOE’s $35 million CDR Purchase Pilot Prize and engaging over 2,000 stakeholders as of 2025. Launched in 2024 following a March notice of intent, the Challenge has recognized 24 semifinalists for leadership spotlights planned for 2025, fostering transparency in the CDR market through a public leaderboard, with post-Hurricane Helene efforts enhancing resilience by connecting buyers and suppliers to scale removals nationwide.
Goals
- Catalyze private sector investment in high-quality CDR credits.[1]
- Enhance CDR market transparency via a public leaderboard.
- Scale CDR to support net-zero emissions by 2050.
Organization
The Carbon Management Challenge was sponsored by the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) within the Department of Energy, headquartered in Washington, D.C. Funding came from Congressional appropriations, supporting a team of DOE staff managing the Challenge across all 50 states, collaborating with over 2,000 partners including private firms, NGOs, and CDR suppliers, guided by FECM leadership and overseen by Assistant Secretary Brad Crabtree.
The leader at the Department of Energy level was the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, currently Brad Crabtree (as of February 22, 2025), directing the Challenge’s implementation.
History
The Carbon Management Challenge was established in 2024 under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which bolstered DOE’s clean energy efforts, formalized with a March 2024 notice of intent. It built on DOE’s CDR Purchase Pilot Prize, launching officially in late 2024 after public comments, recognizing 24 semifinalists by January 2025, and adapting post-Hurricane Helene to enhance resilience through CDR market growth, aligning with the Carbon Negative Shot’s $100/ton goal by 2032.
Funding
Initial funding in 2024 came from Congressional appropriations, with no new funds allocated but leveraging DOE’s $35 million CDR Purchase Pilot Prize. Funding began in 2024 and continues within FECM’s $250 million FY 2025 budget, supporting over 50 projects indirectly, with no end date as appropriations sustain efforts like 2025’s $5 million for leadership spotlight awards.
Implementation
The program was implemented through a voluntary leaderboard and online pledge system, connecting CDR buyers and suppliers across all 50 states. It operates continuously with no end date, engaging over 2,000 stakeholders, with 2025 efforts post-Helene scaling CDR purchases via public commitments and transparency tools, supporting resilience in energy and environmental systems.
Related
- Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchase Pilot Prize
- Carbon Negative Shot
- Advanced Scientific Computing Research Program
External links
- https://www.energy.gov/fecm/voluntary-carbon-dioxide-removal-purchasing-challenge
- https://www.energy.gov/fecm/office-fossil-energy-and-carbon-management - FECM Overview
- https://www.doi.gov/ - Department of the Interior Overview
- wikipedia:United States Department of Energy
Social Media
References
- ↑ "Carbon Management Challenge Overview," U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/fecm/voluntary-carbon-dioxide-removal-purchasing-challenge, accessed February 22, 2025.