Julio Friedmann

Julio Friedmann is a prominent expert in carbon management and climate change mitigation, currently serving as the Chief Scientist and Head Carbon Wrangler at Carbon Direct. His career has been dedicated to addressing climate change through various roles in academia, government, and the private sector.

Professional Background

Friedmann has an extensive and diverse professional history:

• Chief Scientist at Carbon Direct: In this role, he helps companies achieve carbon reductions and removals through scientific expertise.12

• U.S. Department of Energy: He served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Fossil Energy, overseeing R&D programs in advanced fossil energy systems, carbon capture and storage, and CO2 utilization.14

• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: Held positions including Chief Energy Technologist.14

• Columbia University: Worked as a Senior Research Scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy.24

Expertise and Contributions

Friedmann is widely recognized for his expertise in:

• Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
• Direct air capture (DAC)
• CO2 removal from air and oceans
• Carbon-to-value conversion and utilization
• Hydrogen production and use
• Industrial decarbonization

He has been instrumental in advancing carbon management technologies and policies, contributing to both scientific research and practical implementation strategies.13

Education

Friedmann's educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Southern California15
• M.S. in Geology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)15
• B.S. in Music from MIT1

Current Role and Approach

As the Chief Scientist at Carbon Direct, Friedmann describes his work as "carbon wrangling," which involves:

1. Keeping CO2 from entering the atmosphere
2. Closing the carbon cycle
3. Pulling CO2 from the air and oceans6

His approach combines scientific rigor with practical solutions to help companies understand and reduce their carbon footprints, find appropriate clean energy solutions, and navigate the complex landscape of climate policy and technology.3

Friedmann's extensive experience and multidisciplinary background make him a leading voice in the field of carbon management and climate change mitigation.