SINCE METHANE IS UNDER TWO PARTS PER MILLION IN AIR, AND CO2 CAPTURE AT FOUR HUNDRED PARTS PER MILLION COSTS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A TONNE, THE NAS MAY NEED TO DEVELOP A MACROECONOMIC RESEARCH AGENDA FIRST, AS A $10 A POUND CARBON PRICE MIGHT PROVE SOMEWHAT INFLATIONARY.
Description
The National Academies will examine the need for atmospheric methane removal, assess the potential, risks, and co-benefits of viable technological options, and recommend research that could improve understanding. The following topics will be addressed:
- Why might atmospheric methane removal be needed? What specific situations/scenarios might call for deployment of methane removal?
- What are viable options for atmospheric methane removal? To the extent possible, assess how much methane could be removed from the atmosphere for each option, as well as the cost of deployment, technological efficiency, scale potential, potential risks, and key uncertainties and challenges.
- What potential tradeoffs, co-benefits, and unintended consequences should be considered in developing atmospheric methane removal approaches?
- What are potential social barriers associated with atmospheric methane removal?
- What new research is needed to improve understanding of atmospheric methane removal?
