Emergent methane mitigation and removal approaches: A review

• Published in: Atmospheric Environment: X Vol. 21; p. 100223
• Main Authors: Mundra, Ishita, Lockley, Andrew
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Carbon markets; Geoengineering; Greenhouse gas removal; Methane; Methane price; Methane; Carbon markets; Methane price; Geoengineering; Greenhouse gas removal
• ISSN: 2590-1621; 2590-1621
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aeaoa.2023.100223

Early control of atmospheric methane is essential to achieving a 1.5 °C warming pathway. This paper considers a range of academic and gray literature reviews of methane control techniques, as a starting point for a more comprehensive, integrative review. Novel approaches are considered across anthropogenic and natural sources; where these are lacking, existing approaches are discussed. Four principal sectors meriting action and research are identified: mining and oil & gas emissions, agriculture (including near-term minor interventions and future synthetic food production), effective waste management, and interventions in natural methane sources (e.g., permafrost, methane clathrates, and wetlands). Where abatement is impractical, this review discusses speculative geoengineering technologies (e.g., enhancing the •OH and •Cl sinks, photocatalysis, and adsorbent air capture). Atmospheric methane removal proposals merit research, but may remain impractical due to methane concentrations and lifetime. •Literature on abatement, removal & geoengineering control of methane is reviewed.•Methane's short lifetime favors abatement over removal.•Available technology readiness levels, mass potentials, and costs are discussed.•Many low cost options exist; synthetic foods offer negative costs at large scale.•Early methane control effectively & rapidly limits global warming.