News & Events
Jan 26, 2024
Forest Biomass Learning Network
Sept 2025 - Feb 2026The Forest Biomass Learning Network is a collaborative initiative hosted by the Indigenous Greenhouse Gas Removal Commission (IGGRC), Global Ocean Health’s Partnerships for Tribal Carbon Solutions program, the Carbon Business Council, and the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal at American University. The Network provides a forum for Tribes, researchers, and industry innovators to explore emerging biomass utilization pathways, assess associated risks and opportunities, and consider how these approaches may align with Tribal priorities, land stewardship values, and sovereignty. As of March 2026, the group has convened four webinars. Through this engagement, IGGRC advances Indigenous leadership in carbon removal and strengthens opportunities for Tribes to participate in high-integrity forest carbon solutions.
Jan 26, 2024
Carbon Unbound West Coast: By Sea, Land, & Air - Removing Carbon to Prosper
Jan 22 - 23, 2026 | Vancouver, CanadaAt Carbon Unbound 2026, Francesca Hillery, IGGRC's Director of Public Affairs & Partnerships, participated in a panel titled “Protecting Knowledge, Scaling Impact: Indigenous Ownership in Carbon Removal.” The discussion explored how carbon dioxide removal (CDR) initiatives can empower Indigenous communities and how self-determination is realized in practice. The session was chaired by Sara Nawaz of the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal and included Joseph Pallant of Great Bear Carbon and Ken Paul of Pokiok Associates.
Jan 26, 2024
IGGRC participates in CTUIR’s Carbon & Culture Symposium
Sep 29 - Oct 1, 2025The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) hosted a three-day symposium to develop regional consensus in response to carbon sequestration projects affecting First Foods habitats. Francesca Hillery (IGGRC) joined Kat Brigham of Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) to present “Mountains to Oceans: How First Food Salmon Weave Together Mountains, Oceans, Carbon, and Culture.” The symposium created space for Tribal leaders to align around shared priorities at the intersection of carbon policy, ecosystem protection, and Indigenous food sovereignty.
Jan 26, 2024
Initiative Launches to Support Tribal Sovereignty in Carbon Removal
Aug 5, 2025A new initiative provides expertise and resources for Tribes to explore their options in carbon removal, a form of pollution cleanup that complements emission reduction. The initiative, known as Supporting Tribal Sovereignty in Carbon Removal, is a joint effort of Global Ocean Health’s Partnerships for Tribal Carbon Solutions, the Indigenous Greenhouse Gas Removal Commission (IGGRC), the Carbon Business Council, and the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal at American University.
Jan 26, 2024
48th Annual National Indian Timber Symposium
Managing Tribal and Multi-Agency Interest & Empowering Tomorrow’s Stewards
June 2-5, 2025 • Missoula, MT The IGGRC, in collaboration with Partnerships for Tribal Carbon Solutions, the Carbon Business Council, and the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal at American University, hosted an exhibition booth at the 48th Annual National Indian Timber Symposium, organized by the Intertribal Timber Council and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The annual symposium convenes Tribal forestry professionals, researchers, and partners to discuss forest stewardship, policy, and economic development. This year’s event featured a tour of the Salish & Kootenai plant nursery (pictured) and bison reserve. 
Jan 26, 2024
IGGRC Represented at Carbon Unbound West Coast 2024
Oct 2024At Carbon Unbound West Coast, Francesca Hillery (far right in photo) participated in a fireside chat titled “Community Engagement: Uniting Our CDR Spirit.” The conversation focused on the role of Indigenous peoples and local communities in shaping carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects, including what meaningful engagement looks like in practice. Panelists discussed early steps developers should take when engaging communities, how economic, social, and environmental benefits can align, and the importance of earning and maintaining social license. The session also explored how CDR initiatives can address community concerns, respect ancestral lands, and ensure that benefits meaningfully support Indigenous peoples and local governance.
Jan 26, 2024
Responsible & Regional Deployment of Carbon Removal: A Pacific NW Symposium
Thurs, Apr 18, 2024Carbon removal is projected to grow into a trillion dollar market that delivers significant community and environmental benefits. As carbon removal scales, the Pacific Northwest region is poised to become a major hub of activity due to its vibrant climate tech ecosystem and natural attributes. On April 18th, the IGGRC, along with Carbon Business Council, RMI, Partnerships for Tribal Carbon Solutions, Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy, Clean and Prosperous Institute, and Carbon Development Council, co-hosted a Seattle Symposium to discuss regional deployment opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. Fawn Sharp, founding president of the IGGRC, gave the Keynote Address.
Jan 26, 2024
The Launch
Fri, Jan 26, 2024
On January 26th, 2024, the Indigenous Greenhouse Gas Removal Commission (IGGRC) took a significant step forward by extending a formal invitation to Tribal Leaders and Authorized Representatives to participate in the inaugural meeting of the Indigenous Greenhouse Gas Removal Commission. We are pleased to announce that we have successfully secured the commitment of several Tribes during this initial phase.