Summary
This comprehensive systematic review synthesises the global literature on negative emission technologies (NETs) to clarify their role in achieving Paris Agreement climate targets. The authors conclude that whilst portfolios of multiple NETs deployed at modest scales could support climate goals, a substantial gap exists between the NET deployment scales required in climate scenarios and current progress in innovation and deployment. The review identifies severe implementation barriers and weak policy incentives as major obstacles to scaling NETs in time to meet climate ambitions.
UK applicability
The findings are relevant to UK climate policy and the Net Zero commitments embedded in the Climate Change Act, particularly regarding the role of nature-based and technological NETs in meeting carbon budgets. However, the review's global scope means specific recommendations for UK implementation contexts—such as the feasibility of NETs in UK agricultural and industrial systems—would require further tailoring.
Key measures
Literature synthesis on NET deployment potential, economic and biophysical limits, innovation progress, policy incentives, and ethical frameworks across 1.5°C and 2°C warming scenarios
Outcomes reported
The study synthesised literature on negative emission technologies (NETs) using scientometric tools and in-depth assessment to clarify their role in climate mitigation scenarios, ethical implications, and deployment challenges. It identified six major findings regarding NET deployment requirements, potentials, scalability constraints, and implementation barriers across different warming scenarios.
Topic tags
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