impacts, such as those that may be associated with large-scale sequestration of carbon dioxide in geological or oceanic reservoirs. The CCSP strategic plan does include research to evaluate “environmental effects of mitigation options that involve reduction or prevention of greenhouse gas emissions” (CCSP, 2003, p. 82), which should in turn be coordinated with CCTP activities. Of particular concern is the poorly defined role of economic analyses in the coordination between CCSP and CCTP. Although the need for economic analyses is identified in Chapter 9, “Human Contributions and Responses to Environmental Change,” the plan does not explain how these efforts would be coordinated with CCTP technology development or with economic analyses that might be conducted under the CCTP. The milestones, products, and payoffs relevant to research in economics are limited in scope, indicating that the program is not positioned to address these research needs.

Though these coordination issues may be resolved as the CCTP completes its strategic planning and as both programs mature, there remains a risk that critical research areas may be overlooked at the interface of the two programs, particularly as the science and general understanding develop in parallel. The CCSP and CCTP should establish a systematic mechanism for identifying research areas that require coordination between their two programs, and develop administrative and financial approaches, as well as external review, for supporting research activities that fall at their interface.