Kick-Off Workshop for the Methane Removal Project

On October 15 and 16, 2026, the Helmholtz Forum Earth and Environment held the kick-off workshop for the project “Methane Removal: A Critical Assessment and Research Agenda” at the Hotel Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Haus in Berlin. 29 participants came together to discuss scientific approaches to atmospheric methane removal (AMR) and plan the project’s next steps. Among them were researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences and its Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS), the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin), the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), the University of Copenhagen, the University of Washington, the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), and the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, as well as policymakers and practitioners.

Methane is the second-largest contributor to human-caused global warming after carbon dioxide. The project examines scientific and societal questions about atmospheric methane removal, focusing on approaches such as methane reactors, enhanced atmospheric oxidation, and increased microbial methane uptake in soils. It assesses their potential, risks, and possible side effects, all while identifying research gaps as well as societal and political considerations.

At the beginning of the workshop, Dr. Kathleen Mar (RIFS) and Dr. Ralf Sussmann (KIT) presented the project's objectives and planned outcomes. Key priorities included strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, identifying research needs, and developing a joint scientific synthesis paper and research agenda. They also highlighted the need for a more robust scientific evidence base to inform policy discussions on methane removal.

Prof. Alex Turner (University of Washington), Dr. Carolina Voigt (AWI), and Dr. Jinju Zhang (KIT) then presented different approaches to AMR. Prof. Turner explored ways to enhance the natural breakdown of methane through reactions with hydroxyl and chlorine radicals, highlighting the associated uncertainties and potential impacts on air quality and ecosystems. Drawing on measurements from Arctic regions, Dr. Voigt explained how microbial methane uptake in soils varies across locations and seasons and may have been underestimated. Dr. Zhang presented several engineered approaches to methane removal, including catalytic and light-driven oxidation processes. She emphasised the challenges posed by the low concentration of methane in the atmosphere and the energy required to process large volumes of air.

Following these presentations, Dr. Eike Düvel (KIT/ITAS) addressed ethical questions surrounding methane removal, with a particular focus on responsibilities towards future generations and the potential risks associated with different approaches. He also underscored the importance of responsible science communication that presents both the potential and limitations of methane removal in a nuanced manner and considers its implications for climate policy debates.

The participants then began to work on a joint scientific synthesis paper. Working groups focused on the physical differences between AMR and carbon dioxide removal (CDR), engineered approaches, enhanced atmospheric oxidation, and microbial methane uptake, alongside cross-cutting ethical and governance questions. They discussed the scope and content of the individual chapters, identified open research questions and expertise needed, and outlined next steps.

On the second day, the working groups continued their discussions and presented initial findings. They explored how AMR and CDR could complement each other in climate mitigation efforts. Other key topics included the technical feasibility and economic viability of different methane removal approaches, as well as regulatory issues, particularly risk assessment and the measurement and verification of methane removal.

In his talk, “Assessing the Viability of Methane Removal: Science and Policy Perspectives from the United States,” Dr. Martin Wolf (Spark Climate Solutions, USA) examined scientific and policy perspectives from the United States. He compared different methane removal approaches in terms of their costs and scalability. He also discussed recent U.S. research funding initiatives and the need for clear rules for governing research and field trials.

His talk was followed by a roundtable discussion with Jörg Rüger (Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, BMUKN), Helmut Kleebank, Member of the German Bundestag, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Roland Dittmeyer (KIT), and Dr. Kathleen Mar (RIFS). The discussion focused on the benefits and limitations of different methane removal approaches, particularly the risks of direct interventions in the atmosphere or ecosystems, as well as public funding and market incentives. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to communicate scientific findings clearly and in formats tailored to policymakers' needs, and on strengthening dialogue among researchers, policymakers, and industry.

The workshop concluded with a joint reflection on key findings and open questions, particularly regarding the feasibility, risks, and regulation of AMR approaches. Participants agreed to continue work on the synthesis paper, hold regular project meetings, and explore contributions to EGU 2027. In addition, a parliamentary event is planned for late 2027.