Accelerating the assessment of the viability of methane removal to inform the climate solutions portfolio.
Overview
Methane is a climate super pollutant responsible for roughly 30% (0.5˚C) of warming since pre-industrial times. Cutting methane emissions as much and as fast as possible is essential, and the benefits of doing so are well-established. But hard-to-abate sources, growing warming-induced emissions from permafrost and tropical wetlands, and potential changes to methane sinks mean that emissions reductions alone may be insufficient. We also need to assess ways to remove methane that is already in the atmosphere.
That's the frontier Spark's Methane Removal program is working to advance. Removing methane at ambient atmospheric concentrations (roughly 2 ppm) has no viable solutions yet. The field is at a very early-stage, with limited research funding, fragmented efforts, and high uncertainty about feasibility and impact. Spark is rigorously assessing which removal approaches, if any, are scientifically sound, technologically feasible, economically viable, environmentally responsible, and socially acceptable.
1. Supporting Science: We fund and synthesize cutting-edge research to rigorously assess the viability of proposed atmospheric methane removal approaches. Through strategic funding of grants and organizing the community around research roadmaps, we help build a robust scientific basis for assessing and advancing this emergent field.
2. Driving Engagement: We bring together scientists, policymakers, funders, practitioners, peer organizations, and civil society to build a shared understanding of methane removal's potential and what it will take to responsibly advance the field. Through community-building, narrative development, and outreach to funders and institutions, we work to ensure methane removal is assessed rigorously and rapidly.
3. Securing Funding: We catalyze and coordinate investment in methane removal research by cultivating philanthropic partnerships and advocating for dedicated public funding streams. Our goal is to build a diverse, durable funding ecosystem that matches the scale of the opportunity.
4. Fostering Governance: We support the development of thoughtful policy and governance frameworks to enable responsible research. Through forward-looking policy engagement and advocacy, we're creating the conditions for responsible implementation, should any methods prove viable. We champion the idea that getting governance right from the beginning is essential to earning public trust and ensuring safe, accountable progress.
5. Advancing Practical Viability and Decision Making: Beyond scientific feasibility, we evaluate cost, incentive structures, scalability, measurability, governance, and risk to inform whether and how methane removal could realistically be integrated into a broader climate solution portfolio. This work helps funders, policymakers, and the broader community make well-grounded decisions about where to invest resources.
awarded in research funding
funded research projects
institutions supported
community-driven workshops

Spark is supporting multiple research grants to accelerate the assessment of the viability of methane removal.
Learn more about our Atmospheric Methane Removal Advisory Board
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