A new study from IIASA suggests that temporary carbon storage, which is unsuitable for offsetting long-lived CO2, may be a scientifically valid way to neutralize short-lived methane emissions. This approach addresses hard-to-abate sectors like agriculture where methane is an unavoidable byproduct. The researchers propose a two-basket accounting framework to separate short-lived climate forcers from long-lived gases. This would allow for a more accurate matching of carbon removal durations with the atmospheric lifespan of the gases being offset.
