David Ho, an oceanography professor at the University of Hawaii, was selected as a lead author for the 2027 IPCC report on carbon dioxide removal and carbon capture methods—work that will set international standards for how countries measure and report these climate technologies. The Trump administration's withdrawal from the IPCC earlier this year created a gap in U.S. representation, so an observer organization nominated Ho to ensure American expertise could still contribute to a report expected to shape climate policy for years. The first planning meeting happened in Rome this month with over 150 experts, and Ho emphasizes the stakes: without rigorous accounting standards for these technologies, governments can't verify whether CDR and CCUS actually deliver on their climate promises.