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This study will consider the need and viable options for atmospheric methane removal--one category of "negative emissions technologies" currently being explored as part of efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. The committee will examine opportunities, risks, and co-benefits of different atmospheric methane removal approaches and make recommendations for new research that would improve understanding of these technologies and their implications.
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Consensus
·2024
2023 shattered global climate records as the warmest year in the modern record, bringing with it devastating impacts on human and natural systems. Methane emissions, about 60% of which come from human activities, are a major contributor to global warming, second only to carbon dioxide (CO2). Methane...
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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?
Contributors
Committee
Chair
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Rachel Silvern
Staff Officer
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
The conflict of interest policy of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (http://www.nationalacademies.org/coi) prohibits the appointment of an individual to a committee authoring a Consensus Study Report if the individual has a conflict of interest that is relevant to the task to be performed. An exception to this prohibition is permitted if the National Academies determines that the conflict is unavoidable and the conflict is publicly disclosed. A determination of a conflict of interest for an individual is not an assessment of that individual’s actual behavior or character or ability to act objectively despite the conflicting interest.
Dr. Santiesteban has a conflict of interest in relation to his service on the Committee on Atmospheric Methane Removal: Development of a Research Agenda because he holds stock in ExxonMobil.
The National Academies has concluded that for this committee to accomplish the tasks for which it was established, its membership must include at least one person who has recent experience in the oil and gas industry and strategic technology development from research to operations. As described in his biographical summary, Dr. Santiesteban served for more than 30 years in many technical leadership and management roles at ExxonMobil, most recently as strategy manager for ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company until 2021. He has led and made significant technical contributions to the discovery, development, and commercialization of more than 20 novel catalyst technologies for the production of high-performing lubricants, clean fuels, and petrochemicals.
The National Academies has determined that the experience and expertise of Dr. Santiesteban are needed for the committee to accomplish the task for which it has been established. The National Academies could not find another available individual with the equivalent experience and expertise who does not have a conflict of interest. Therefore, the National Academies has concluded that the conflict is unavoidable.
The National Academies believes that Dr. Santiesteban can serve effectively as a member of the committee, and the committee can produce an objective report, taking into account the composition of the committee, the work to be performed, and the procedures to be followed in completing the study.
Committee Membership Roster Comments
Desirée Plata resigned from the committee on August 8, 2023.
Simon Pang and Margaret Wooldridge were appointed to the committee on September 6, 2023.
Sponsors
ClimateWorks
Staff
Brent Heard
Lead
Anne Manville
Lindsay Moller