Technology experts exchange insights and ideas on how to improve Carbon Dioxide Removal technology representation in Integrated Assessment Models
One of the key objectives of the UPTAKE project is to improve the representation of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) methods in integrated assessment models (IAMs). This enhancement will enable the development of more robust insights on the possible role of CDR methods in future mitigation strategies.
To achieve this goal, technology expert groups were formed during the 2nd UPTAKE project meeting in October 2024. These groups then held kick-off meetings in February 2025 to initiate discussions on insights and ideas regarding which technology characteristics should be better represented in models. The technology groups consist of technical experts and IAM modellers across a range of CDR methods, including:
To achieve this goal, technology expert groups were formed during the 2nd UPTAKE project meeting in October 2024. These groups then held kick-off meetings in February 2025 to initiate discussions on insights and ideas regarding which technology characteristics should be better represented in models. The technology groups consist of technical experts and IAM modellers across a range of CDR methods, including:
- Afforestation/Reforestation (A/R) and Agroforestry
- BECCU/S
- DACCU/S
- Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW)
- Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE)
- Soil Carbon Sequestration (SCS/SOC)
In addition, groups focusing on key elements relevant to these CDR methods—such as CO₂ transport, CO₂ geological storage, and biomass resources—also contributed to these efforts.
These kick-off meetings marked the start of a structured process that is planned for completion by August 2025.
Kick-Off Meetings Highlights
Prior to the kick-off meetings, technology groups’ leaders and data exchange coordinators discussed the data exchange process between technology experts and IAM modelling teams as well as the process timelines.
Following this, IAM teams created an overview of CDR technologies implementation data and status, outlining the techno-economic assumptions they currently use and descriptive documentation on the approach they apply to represent CDR technologies in their models. These documents served as aninput for technology experts to review and provide feedbackfor IAM teams during the kick-off meetings.
In the meetings, technology experts and IAM modelling teams discussed a range of key items, which include:
- Overviews of current CDR technologies representation in IAMs across different modelling teams and their aspirations for the implementation updates.
- Parameters needed and areas of potential improvements for CDR methods implementation in IAMs. This discussion point particularly covered techno-economic performance, potential technological improvements, and deployment limits. As these CDR methods are relatively new, uncertainties around technology cost and performance have received significant interest during the discussion. Additionally, factors that might affect CDR methods’ uptake beyond the technology itself, such as how quickly it can be deployed, trade-offs with other environmental impacts, co-benefits and competition with other CDR methods and sectors, also attracted significant attention during the discussions.
- Finally, at the end of the kick-off meetings, each technology group discussed the data exchange format and timelines.
Next steps for the data exchange process
- Following the Kick-Off Meeting of each group, a follow-up meeting will be scheduled.
- Before the meeting, Technology Experts and IAM modelling teams in each group will collaboratively draft the data exchange format/template based on the discussion in the kick-off meeting.
- The follow-up meetings will focus on finalizing the data exchange format/template and setting timelines. Specifically, it will determine when Technology Experts should complete the preliminary data in the template and when IAM Modelers should provide the IAM Variables needed for Technology Experts to refine their input.