About this Research Topic
We must achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 and negative emissions by 2100 to reduce the consequences of global warming and climate change. To achieve this, worldwide GHG emissions must be cut by 90%, and negative emissions technologies (NETs) must be quickly implemented on a broad scale. Nature-based and (geo)chemical NETs are proposed for gigatonne-scale carbon dioxide removal (CDR). These include technologies like enhanced rock weathering (ERW), mineral carbonation, direct air capture with carbon storage (DACCS), biochar, blue carbon, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), afforestation/reforestation, and ocean alkalinity enhancement. These technologies are derived from well-known natural geo- and bio-chemical processes that are already part of the carbon cycle and often provide additional ecosystem services. Moreover, by utilizing by-products from the energy and mineral resource sectors as feedstocks for technologies, NETs can sustainably help remove CO2 and foster global circular carbon economies.
All these technologies will require robust forms of carbon monitoring that enable accurate measurements of changes in the quantity of inorganic and organic carbon captured and sequestered over time. Large spatial and temporal datasets are needed to obtain precise and reliable carbon budgets and estimate carbon removal rates. On the other hand, tracking carbon dioxide removal in complex, heterogeneous, and carbon measurements in large-scale systems have been proven challenging and labour-intensive. Hence, developing scalable and reliable carbon quantification techniques that indirectly or directly track the fate of removed carbon within these NETs is critical to support their quick implementation.
The objective of this Research Topic is to compile a diverse selection of papers that explore the challenges of existing monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) methods as well as the development of new approaches to track effective carbon removal across different NETs and time scales. We hence welcome review papers on the current status of MRV for different NETs, contributions reporting on advances in the use of tracers, isotopes, sensors, CO2 fluxes, or other techniques for CDR monitoring both in laboratory and field scale demonstrations. Feasibility, modeling, and life cycle assessment studies that provide a further understanding of the optimization of these CDR methods are also welcomed.
All these technologies will require robust forms of carbon monitoring that enable accurate measurements of changes in the quantity of inorganic and organic carbon captured and sequestered over time. Large spatial and temporal datasets are needed to obtain precise and reliable carbon budgets and estimate carbon removal rates. On the other hand, tracking carbon dioxide removal in complex, heterogeneous, and carbon measurements in large-scale systems have been proven challenging and labour-intensive. Hence, developing scalable and reliable carbon quantification techniques that indirectly or directly track the fate of removed carbon within these NETs is critical to support their quick implementation.
The objective of this Research Topic is to compile a diverse selection of papers that explore the challenges of existing monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) methods as well as the development of new approaches to track effective carbon removal across different NETs and time scales. We hence welcome review papers on the current status of MRV for different NETs, contributions reporting on advances in the use of tracers, isotopes, sensors, CO2 fluxes, or other techniques for CDR monitoring both in laboratory and field scale demonstrations. Feasibility, modeling, and life cycle assessment studies that provide a further understanding of the optimization of these CDR methods are also welcomed.
Keywords: Measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of carbon removal carbon dioxide removal (CDR) geochemical negative emissions technologies (NETs) carbon removal quantification
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