Atmospheric methane removal as a third climate intervention: termination risks and air pollutant effects

npj Climate Action 2026 Open access

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Authors: Katsumasa Tanaka, Weiwei Xiong, Didier A. Hauglustaine, Daniel J. A. Johansson, Nico Bauer, Philippe Bousquet, Philippe Ciais, Renaud de Richter, Marianne T. Lund, Ragnhild B. Skeie, Eric Zusman
DOI: 10.1038/s44168-026-00398-8
Cited by: 1
References: 61

Abstract

Abstract Atmospheric Methane Removal (AMR) is a third class of climate intervention, along with Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Solar Radiation Management (SRM). We show that, unlike CDR, the avoided warming by AMR is not durable due to methane’s short atmospheric lifetime, although its temperature rebound upon termination is less abrupt than that of SRM. AMR’s impact on tropospheric ozone can be further modulated by background pollutant levels.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Climate Change and Geoengineering Climate Change Policy and Economics Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics

Publication details

Journal / source
npj Climate Action
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
5
Issue
1
Publication date
24 June 2026
Language
EN