Policy brief: methane and temporary carbon removals

Abstract: This policy brief summarises research showing that the potential non-permanence of carbon removals can be treated not as an obstacle but as a feature, by focusing it on compensating for the short-term warming caused by methane emissions. Methane causes a large but short-lived spike in temperature, lasting around 30 years, whereas CO2 emissions have a smaller but essentially permanent effect. Temporary CO2 removals, such as afforestation projects contracted for 30 years, can therefore be matched to methane’s warming profile, cancelling its temperature impact as it occurs. Because such contracts are shorter, they are easier to monitor and enforce than permanent removal commitments. The authors argue that this approach could reopen climate finance for nature-based solutions and provide an immediate reduction in temperature stress.