Nature – Brunner et al. (2024): Durability of carbon dioxide removal is critical for Paris climate goals

Cyril Brunner, Zeke Hausfather, Reto Knutti IN: Communications Earth & Environment, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01808-7

Using a reduced-complexity climate model, here the authors examined the effect of Carbon Dioxide Removal with varying CO₂ storage durations. They found that storage duration substantially affects whether net zero emissions achieve the desired temperature outcomes. With a typical 100-year storage duration, net zero CO₂ emissions with 6 GtCO₂ per year residual emissions result in an additional warming of 1.1 °C by 2500 compared to permanent storage, thus putting the internationally agreed temperature limits at risk. The findings suggest that a CO₂ storage period of less than 1000 years is insufficient for neutralizing remaining fossil CO₂ emissions under net zero emissions.

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