Module Information
Module Identifier
BDM2620
Module Title
Greenhouse Gas Removal
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Distance Learning
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Report Written report 2500 Words | 60% |
| Semester Assessment | Interactive The interactive assessment will cover collaborative forums, peer marking and review of presentations. In the event of low student numbers, alternative reflective journal assessments will be utilised. 1500 Words | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Report Written report 2500 Words | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Interactive The interactive assessment will cover collaborative forums, peer marking and review of presentations. In the event of low student numbers, alternative reflective journal assessments will be utilised. 1500 Words | 40% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Critically evaluate the role of GHG removal in climate change mitigation, considering key policy, economic, and market drivers.
Compare and assess different carbon removal approaches, including their effectiveness, scalability, and environmental trade-offs.
Explore the challenges of carbon accounting, ownership, and valuation, and their implications for policy and investment.
Critically appraise monitoring and evaluation strategies, considering the uncertainties and limitations in measuring GHG removal effectiveness.
Brief description
This module explores greenhouse gas (GHG) removal, with a focus on land-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategies, their effectiveness, and their policy and economic contexts.
We begin with an introduction to GHG removal, outlining key policy drivers, economic incentives, and the necessity of carbon removal alongside emissions reduction. Next, we examine carbon accounting and valuation, exploring how carbon is measured, who gets to count it, and how markets and policies shape the viability of different removal methods.
The module then covers major CDR approaches, starting with Biomass Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), a leading bio-based removal method. We also explore alternative uses of biomass while BECCS technology and markets develop. Biochar, peatland restoration, enhanced rock weathering with basalt, and afforestation are examined in terms of their benefits, risks, and scalability. We also address non-land-based, engineered solutions such as Direct Air Carbon Capture, discussing its potential and limitations.
Finally, we explore monitoring, evaluation, and modeling of CDR strategies. This includes assessing the effectiveness of different removal methods, challenges in measurement, and potential tools like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). We link this back to earlier discussions on carbon valuation and policy, considering how measurement uncertainties impact investment and implementation.
By the end of this module, students will have a critical understanding of GHG removal strategies, their feasibility, and the challenges in implementing and scaling these solutions in real-world contexts.
We begin with an introduction to GHG removal, outlining key policy drivers, economic incentives, and the necessity of carbon removal alongside emissions reduction. Next, we examine carbon accounting and valuation, exploring how carbon is measured, who gets to count it, and how markets and policies shape the viability of different removal methods.
The module then covers major CDR approaches, starting with Biomass Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), a leading bio-based removal method. We also explore alternative uses of biomass while BECCS technology and markets develop. Biochar, peatland restoration, enhanced rock weathering with basalt, and afforestation are examined in terms of their benefits, risks, and scalability. We also address non-land-based, engineered solutions such as Direct Air Carbon Capture, discussing its potential and limitations.
Finally, we explore monitoring, evaluation, and modeling of CDR strategies. This includes assessing the effectiveness of different removal methods, challenges in measurement, and potential tools like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). We link this back to earlier discussions on carbon valuation and policy, considering how measurement uncertainties impact investment and implementation.
By the end of this module, students will have a critical understanding of GHG removal strategies, their feasibility, and the challenges in implementing and scaling these solutions in real-world contexts.
Aims
This module aims to raise awareness of the technological options for land-based approaches to removing greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere and to showcase IBERS research in this area. For completeness the module also touches on Direct Air Carbon Capture.
Content
This module will cover the following content:
1. Intro – GHG removal / CDR (Carbon Dioxide Removal), policy and economic drivers
2. Who gets to count Carbon?
3. Biomass Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)
4. Alternative uses for Biomass while BECCS market & technology develops
5. Biochar: Pros and cons
6. Peatland
7. Basalt – Enhanced Rock Weathering – pros and cons
8. Afforestation
9. Direct Air Carbon Capture
10. Monitoring, Evaluation, Modelling
1. Intro – GHG removal / CDR (Carbon Dioxide Removal), policy and economic drivers
2. Who gets to count Carbon?
3. Biomass Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)
4. Alternative uses for Biomass while BECCS market & technology develops
5. Biochar: Pros and cons
6. Peatland
7. Basalt – Enhanced Rock Weathering – pros and cons
8. Afforestation
9. Direct Air Carbon Capture
10. Monitoring, Evaluation, Modelling
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Creative Problem Solving | The students will need to identify a suitable technology for their case study and explore appropriate monitoring and evaluation methodologies |
| Professional communication | A presentation assessment will require the students to pitch their technology in a short recorded submission, practicing communication of ideas typically used by the agri-food profession |
| Real world sense | Case studies and interviews with industry representatives and policy makers provide real world context |
| Reflection | Feedback on assessments, particularly the presentation will be provided by both tutor and peers in order to improve their ideas for the final assessment. Reflection could be assessed if the interactive assessment is changed to the reflective journal option. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students will be required to demonstrate an advanced knowledge of GHG removal options |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7