Earth system response

It is important to determine the potential climate and environmental consequences of scenarios and CDR portfolios for achieving climate neutrality. RESCUE will assess the climate and Earth System response to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and CDR implementation in the context of different scenarios with and without overshoot, and determine which of these scenarios are the most effective at stabilising the global temperatures.

The assessment will involve scenarios developed in the framework of the RESCUE project, as well as simulations performed in other initiatives, including the Carbon Dioxide Removal Model Intercomparison Project (CDR-MIP) and Zero Emissions Commitment Model Intercomparison Project (ZECMIP).

The reversibility of changes in the climate due to emissions and a period of overshoot will be addressed. Regional climate aspects, including extremes, will also be analysed to better understand how the regional climate is affected by specific CDR portfolios and help identify potentially preferable portfolios to mitigate such extremes.

Apart from the impacts on climate, the project will further examine the environmental impacts of implementing different CDR options, including impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity.

The overall effectiveness, impacts, risks and potential co-benefits of CDR options will be evaluated, taking into account the effects on the carbon cycle and biogeophysical feedbacks, and climate extremes, among other aspects.

RESCUE will also perform an analysis on specific animal species to assess how implementing different scenarios will affect them, and thus identify scenarios with reduced extinction risk and possible local benefits for terrestrial and marine biodiversity.

A synthesis report will summarise the outcomes of the climate and environmental assessment to promote dissemination and inform adaptation.