A University of Limerick researcher has been selected to join a team of authors writing a key report for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations body that assesses the science related to climate change.
Professor Ken Byrne from UL’s Department of Biological Sciences and Bernal Institute, who was a member of the IPCC team awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, has been selected as a lead author on the 2027 IPCC Methodology Report on Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies, Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.
The report will be used to inform the climate action plans of the governments in the 195 IPCC member states.
Authors are chosen from nominations made by governments and reflect a range of scientific, technical and socio-economic views and backgrounds as well as developed and developing countries and gender balance.
Commenting on the significance of the report Professor Byrne said: “The areas of carbon dioxide (CO2) removal and carbon capture, utilisation and storage are advancing rapidly, and robust, science‑based methodologies are essential to ensure that national greenhouse gas inventories accurately reflect their impacts.
"I’m proud to contribute to this important international effort and to bring Ireland’s research expertise to the global stage. The work ahead is challenging, but it is also crucial if we are to provide governments with the tools they need to make informed, effective climate decisions."
At the announcement of the commissioning of the report, Takeshi Enoki, Co-Chair of the Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, said: “With immediate, deep and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and deployment of substantial CO2 removal, it may still be possible to limit global warming to 1.5°C by the end of this century.
"Greater knowledge about carbon dioxide removal technologies can complement climate mitigation strategies. This methodology report will be important for the possible integration of these into national GHG inventories and climate action plans.”
Topics that will be addressed in the 2027 IPCC Methodology Report include:
- Transport, injection and sequestering of CO2 in relation to enhanced oil, gas, and coal-bed methane recovery
- Production of products containing or derived from captured and/or removed CO2
- Carbonation of cement and lime-based structures
- Soil carbon sinks and related emissions enhanced through biochar and weathering and other elements
- Coastal wetlands carbon dioxide removal types not in previous IPCC Guidelines as well as additional information on mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrass in coastal waters
- Durable biomass products
- Carbon dioxide capture from combustion and process gases
- Direct air capture
- Carbon dioxide utilisation
- Carbon dioxide transport including cross border issues
- Carbon dioxide injection and storage
- CO2 removal through direct capture of CO2 from water already processed by inland and coastal facilities; and related elements across the range of categories of the IPCC Guidelines.
The national greenhouse gas inventory includes sources and sinks occurring within the territory over which a country has jurisdiction.
Over 150 experts are expected to participate in the writing process, which will be completed by 2027.