The Vancouver Process is an informal, government-led collaboration among national, subnational, and intergovernmental institutions exploring opportunities for cooperation on carbon dioxide removal (CDR). The process is intended to help governments and public institutions share knowledge, identify priorities, and develop practical pathways for cooperation and long-term collaboration on CDR. Participation in the Vancouver Process does not constitute a treaty commitment, legal obligation, or formal endorsement of the Vancouver Declaration.

Role of participants

The Vancouver Process is collaborative and exploratory in nature and is intended to support mutual learning and coordination among participants. Participants in the Vancouver Process may, at their discretion:

• Share information on national or institutional priorities, policies, and needs related to CDR;
• Exchange knowledge, resources, and experiences with other governments and institutions;
• Identify opportunities for collaboration, alignment, or joint initiatives;
• Contribute to discussions regarding governance, coordination, and implementation of the Vancouver Declaration as warranted;
• Help shape the design, priorities, and functions of a future Vancouver Secretariat.

Participation

Participation is designed to be flexible and accessible, allowing governments and institutions to engage at a level appropriate to their interests and capacity.

• Flexible engagement: Participants may engage in the Vancouver Process through consultations, workshops, written exchanges, or other discussions. There are no required meetings, deliverables, or minimum participation thresholds.
• No voting or binding decisions: The Vancouver Process does not operate through formal voting or decision-making procedures. Discussions are intended to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange rather than produce binding decisions.
• No financial obligations: Participation does not involve membership fees, financial commitments, or fundraising responsibilities.
• No compensation: Participants take part as part of their institutional roles and are not compensated for their participation.

Independence of views

Participation in the Vancouver Process does not imply agreement with, or endorsement of, any specific policy proposals, recommendations, or actions discussed within the process. Similarly, the views expressed by participants during discussions do not necessarily represent official positions of their governments or institutions unless explicitly stated.

Participation in institutional capacity

Participation in the Vancouver Process generally occurs through institutions rather than individuals. Governments, government agencies, intergovernmental organizations, and other public institutions may designate representatives to participate in discussions. Institutions may change or expand their representation at any time as appropriate. Participation does not imply formal endorsement of the Vancouver Declaration unless explicitly stated by the participating institution.

Public acknowledgment of members

To ensure transparency and accountability, organizers of the Vancouver Process will publicly list participating institutions and their designated representatives on the Vancouver Process website. Participants may request corrections or updates to such listings at any time.

Confidentiality and use of input

Discussions within the Vancouver Process may include non-public information or informal exchanges of views. Participants are asked to exercise discretion regarding the public disclosure of such discussions. When preparing summaries or public materials related to the Vancouver Process, organizers will not attribute comments to individual participants or institutions without permission.

Liability

Participation in the Vancouver Process does not create legal, fiduciary, or governance responsibilities for participants. Participants assume no liability for the actions, policies, or outcomes associated with the Vancouver Process or the Vancouver Declaration.

Duration of participation

There is no fixed term of participation. Institutions may join or withdraw from the Vancouver Process at any time. Participation in the Vancouver Process may evolve over time as the initiative develops, including through the establishment of a Vancouver Secretariat to support long-term collaboration.

Coordination

The Vancouver Process is currently coordinated by the Vancouver Interim Secretariat. As the initiative develops, participants may contribute to discussions regarding the structure, governance, and functions of a permanent Secretariat.