[Submitted on 24 Jan 2026 (

v1

), last revised 10 Apr 2026 (this version, v2)]

Title:Atmospheric Methane Removal as a Third Climate Intervention: Termination Risks and Air Pollutant Effects

Authors:Katsumasa Tanaka

,

Weiwei Xiong

,

Didier A. Hauglustaine

,

Daniel J.A. Johansson

,

Nico Bauer

,

Philippe Bousquet

,

Philippe Ciais

,

Renaud de Richter

,

Marianne T. Lund

,

Ragnhild Skeie

,

Eric Zusman

View a PDF of the paper titled Atmospheric Methane Removal as a Third Climate Intervention: Termination Risks and Air Pollutant Effects, by Katsumasa Tanaka and 10 other authors

View PDF

Abstract:Atmospheric Methane Removal (AMR) is a third class of climate intervention, along with Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Solar Radiation Management (SRM). We show that, unlike CDR, the avoided warming by AMR is not durable due to methane's short atmospheric lifetime, although its temperature rebound upon termination is less abrupt than that of SRM. AMR's impact on air quality (surface ozone) can be further modulated by background pollutant levels.

Submission history

From: Katsumasa Tanaka [

view email

]

[v1]

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 13:27:38 UTC (4,599 KB)

[v2]

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:49:22 UTC (11,756 KB)