IPCC Releases Draft Guidelines on Carbon Removal
The first draft of the 2027 Methodology Report on carbon dioxide removal and capture technologies is open for expert feedback.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Environmental
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released the first draft of its 2027 Methodology Report on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies. The draft was prepared by around 150 Coordinating Lead Authors and Lead Authors, and experts can submit feedback until December 11, 2026.
Why it matters
The report will give governments guidelines for accounting for carbon dioxide removals, a key element in tracking progress toward climate goals. Once approved, it is expected to have a major impact on the future development of CDR technologies worldwide.
The draft was produced by around 150 Coordinating Lead Authors and Lead Authors selected for scientific and technical expertise. Feedback remains open until December 11, 2026, and the final approval timing and any changes resulting from review are still unknown.
The players
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The United Nations body that assesses the science related to climate change and produces reports used by governments worldwide.
The details
The IPCC agreed to create the Methodology Report at its 63rd session in Lima, Peru, in October 2025. Authors were chosen by the Task Force Bureau, and applicants did not need to be existing IPCC authors; experts could select the chapters most relevant to their expertise.
Timeline
October 2025: IPCC 63rd session in Lima agreed to create the Methodology Report.
2026: Authors worked on preparing the draft throughout the year.
November 4, 2026: First draft of the methodology report was released for feedback.
December 11, 2026: Deadline for expert feedback submissions.
End of 2027: Expected approval of the methodology report.
The Big Picture
The IPCC has long produced methodology reports that give countries standardized tools for measuring greenhouse gas emissions in national inventories. This new report applies that same approach to carbon dioxide removal and capture, giving governments a consistent framework for accounting for removals alongside emissions.
Once finalized, the methodology will shape how governments count carbon removals in their climate reporting, which can influence national policy and funding for CDR projects. Experts who want to shape the guidance can submit feedback through the IPCC's open call before the December 11, 2026 deadline.
The takeaway
Carbon dioxide removal is moving from concept to measurable policy, and this draft shows how the IPCC plans to make those removals count. Anyone with relevant expertise has a limited window to help shape the final guidance.
What happens next
Expert feedback on the draft closes December 11, 2026, and the report is expected to be approved by the end of 2027.
Further reading
For more background on the environmental consequences of carbon management policy, explore our Environmental coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Carbon Herald.
