IPCC Identifies Emerging Technologies for Carbon Removal in Anticipation of 2027 Special Report

Keywords: IPCC, Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), COP29, greenhouse gases, climate change, net zero, Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI), Sixth Assessment Report (AR6)

Overview:

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has outlined key carbon removal technologies to be featured in its forthcoming special report, due by 2027. Announced during the 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the report will focus on methods to achieve net-zero emissions through advanced Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) technologies.

IPCC’s Focus on Methodological Advancements:

In January 2024, the IPCC tasked its Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI) to prepare a Methodology Report for integrating these technologies into global emissions reporting frameworks. Current inventories rely on the 2006 guidelines, which primarily account for conventional methods like afforestation, reforestation, and soil carbon sequestration. However, the new methodologies aim to address emerging technologies such as:

• Direct Air Capture with Geological Storage: Extracting CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it underground at depths of 1–2.5 kilometers.
• Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS): Capturing CO₂ from biomass-based energy processes and permanently storing it.

Other activities, like peatland restoration, biochar production, and improved forest management, are already included under IPCC guidance.

Challenges and Clarifications in CDR and CCUS:

• Defining CDR: As clarified by IPCC TFI’s head, Sandro Federici, activities such as direct air capture only qualify as CDR if CO₂ is stored permanently. Utilising captured CO₂ in products like methanol for fuel does not meet this criterion, as it reintroduces CO₂ into the atmosphere upon usage.
• CCUS Utilisation: CCUS focuses on capturing CO₂ from industrial point sources, which can then be repurposed for applications like beverages, building materials, or fuels. While this mitigates emissions, it does not equate to atmospheric CO₂ removal.

Why CDR and CCUS Are Essential:

The IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) emphasized the inevitability of CDR to counterbalance residual emissions from hard-to-abate sectors. As global ambitions converge on achieving net-zero emissions, these technologies are indispensable for bridging gaps in mitigation strategies.

The Road Ahead:

• The IPCC’s 62nd Session in February 2025 will finalize the list of emerging technologies requiring methodological frameworks. Task authors will then develop methodologies for integrating these technologies into national greenhouse gas inventories.
• This process builds on a July expert group meeting and an October scoping session, which identified priority areas and challenges in CDR and CCUS implementation.

Conclusion:

The IPCC’s forthcoming methodologies will redefine how nations estimate and report greenhouse gas removals, ensuring that technological advancements in carbon removal are aligned with international climate goals. This progress is crucial for addressing the complexities of climate change mitigation and achieving global net-zero targets.

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