IPCC Begins Drafting Methodology Report for Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies

Over 150 experts gathered at the Food and Agriculture Organization headquarters in Rome from April 14 to 16, 2026, for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) first author meeting on the Methodology Report on Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage. This report, expected in 2027, will outline protocols for estimating CO₂ emissions and removals through essential technologies.

The IPCC’s renewed focus on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) comes at a crucial time. Global temperatures are projected to exceed the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement without significant intervention. Current mitigation strategies are inadequate. Technologies like direct air capture (DAC) and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) are increasingly recognized as vital to complement emissions reductions. Yet, their scalability suffers from inconsistent standards and metrics.

"The methodology report will serve as a fundamental reference for transparent and consistent reporting on climate action," said Dr. Hoesung Lee, Chair of the IPCC, during opening remarks in Rome. By standardizing how governments measure the effectiveness of various CDR technologies, the report aims to resolve longstanding discrepancies in international climate negotiations.

The report will include guidelines for calculating the life-cycle emissions of CDR methods, land-use implications, and energy intensity. For example, DAC systems, which remove CO₂ from the air, require substantial energy, often from fossil fuels. Without clear standards, the environmental benefits of these systems are challenging to quantify. "Without robust methodologies, we risk promoting technologies that may inadvertently exacerbate emissions over their full life cycle," noted Professor Niklas Höhne of the NewClimate Institute at a related panel discussion in mid-April.

The IPCC’s initiative also addresses concerns from climate-vulnerable nations, which argue that existing models inadequately consider equity in carbon removal efforts. Many low-income countries fear being sidelined for high-cost technological solutions primarily used in wealthier nations. A representative from the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) group emphasized the need for methodologies to incorporate accessible, nature-based solutions. "Without equity baked into these guidelines, the most vulnerable will bear the brunt of the climate crisis while contributing the least to its solutions," the representative stated.

This work occurs amid a changing regulatory landscape. The United States, through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, committed to significant subsidies for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, while the European Union’s Innovation Fund has prioritized similar projects for funding from 2024 to 2030. However, these initiatives often overlook potential environmental trade-offs, including water usage and biodiversity impacts, which the IPCC aims to address comprehensively.

As of October 2023, no major economy is on track to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Incorporating CDR into these targets could help bridge this gap, but only if deployment is guided by rigorous methodologies. "Technological solutions should not provide cover for delayed action on emissions reductions," warned Dr. Joeri Rogelj, Director of Research at the Grantham Institute, during a side event streamed from Rome.

The IPCC’s timeline allows for thorough peer review and stakeholder consultation, with a final draft expected by October 2027. While this may seem distant, many experts argue that the time frame is necessary for achieving scientific consensus on such a complex issue. In the meantime, provisional guidance may inform ongoing pilot projects but will lack formal endorsement from the full IPCC membership.

"This report will enable governments to more accurately account for their climate policies' real-world impacts," said Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), in a recent statement on the IPCC’s work. Aligning national accounting practices with emerging methodologies will be crucial for ensuring that CDR technologies contribute meaningfully to climate targets.

While the IPCC’s methodology development is technical, its implications are significant. Transparent accounting mechanisms could resolve disputes over carbon markets and offset schemes, often plagued by allegations of double-counting. For communities affected by climate change, these guidelines could clarify how new technologies will impact local ecosystems and socio-economic conditions.

With the IPCC laying the groundwork, the next decade could witness a major shift in integrating carbon dioxide removal technologies into global climate strategies. However, critical questions remain. Will the methodologies balance technological innovation with equity? Can governments allocate the resources needed for responsible scaling? How will these efforts align with broader emissions reduction frameworks, which remain the primary defense against climate change?

As April’s meeting in Rome illustrates, these issues are urgent challenges for today. The effectiveness of the IPCC’s work in fostering international consensus remains to be seen.