CARBON REMOVAL WEEKLY SUMMARY (18 DECEMBER - 24 DECEMBER 2023)-WEEK#44
Links to recent scientific papers, web posts, upcoming events, job opportunities, podcasts, and event recordings, etc. on Carbon Dioxide Removal Technology.
💸COMMERCIAL NEWS
DOE Announces $1 Million Toward Carbon Dioxide Removal Technology Innovation (FECM)
Alt Carbon Raises $550,000 in Pre-Seed Funding to Advance Climate Action Initiatives (Startup Story)
Titan Group To Receive $256M From EU Innovation Fund For Carbon Capture Project (Carbon Herald)
CIEIF Makes First Round of Grants and Announces Increased Grant Amounts and Date for 2024 Applications (CIEIF)
Nexus Development Capital Adds Carbon Removal to Growing Portfolio with a $5M Investment in Maine-based Standard Biocarbon (PR Newswire)
Microsoft inks carbon removal deal with offsets startup Chestnut (Reuters)
Deep Sky and ReCarbn to Deploy Direct Air Capture (DAC) in Canada (DeepSky)
Verenovo Partners with Grain Ecosystem to Streamline Biochar Carbon Removal Projects (Verenovo)
STX Group and Base Carbon Partner to Launch Innovative Carbon Investment Vehicle Focused on Scaling Global Markets for Carbon Removals (Global Newswire)
📝RESEARCH PAPERS
Expert elicitation of the timing and uncertainty to establish a geologic sequestration well for CO2 in the United States
Moore, E. J., Karplus, V. J., & Morgan, M. G. (2024). Expert elicitation of the timing and uncertainty to establish a geologic sequestration well for CO2 in the United States. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(1), e2307984120.
Olivine avoidance behaviour by marine gastropods (Littorina littorea L.) and amphipods (Gammarus locusta L.) within the context of ocean alkalinity enhancement
Flipkens, G., Dujardin, V., Salden, J., T’Jollyn, K., Town, R. M., & Blust, R. (2024). Olivine avoidance behaviour by marine gastropods (Littorina littorea L.) and amphipods (Gammarus locusta L.) within the context of ocean alkalinity enhancement. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 270, 115840.
Carbon dynamics in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and removals: a comprehensive review
Kamyab, H., SaberiKamarposhti, M., Hashim, H., & Yusuf, M. (2023). Carbon dynamics in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and removals: a comprehensive review. Carbon Letters, 1-25.
Balancing climate goals and biodiversity protection: legal implications of the 30x30 target for land-based carbon removal
Günther, P., & Ekardt, F. Balancing Climate Goals and Biodiversity Protection: Legal implications of the 30x30 Target for Land-Based Carbon Removal. Frontiers in Climate, 5, 1276606.
Biochar-plant interactions enhance nonbiochar carbon sequestration in a rice paddy soil
Liu, Z., Zhang, W., Ma, R., Li, S., Song, K., Zheng, J., ... & Pan, G. (2023). Biochar-plant interactions enhance nonbiochar carbon sequestration in a rice paddy soil. Communications Earth & Environment, 4(1), 1-13.
New Synergy Concept of CO2 and Green Hydrogen Geological Storage in the Baltic Offshore Structure
Shogenov, K., & Shogenova, A. (2023). New Synergy Concept of CO2 and Green Hydrogen Geological Storage in the Baltic Offshore Structure. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 105, 133-138.
Land Use Change Monitoring Systems for Spatial GHG Emissions and Removals Assessment in Chiang-Mai, Thailand
Wannasiri, W., & Chaksan, A. (2023). Land Use Change Monitoring Systems for Spatial GHG Emissions and Removals Assessment in Chiang-Mai, Thailand. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 106, 655-660.
Measurement and influencing factors of carbon emission efficiency based on the dual perspectives of water pollution and carbon neutrality
Jiang, S., Li, E., Wei, Y., Yan, X., He, R., Banny, E. T., & Xin, Z. (2024). Measurement and influencing factors of carbon emission efficiency based on the dual perspectives of water pollution and carbon neutrality. Science of The Total Environment, 911, 168662.
Design method of high transport performance biochar-cement based materials based on particle size distribution and permeation probability calculation model
Liu, R., Wang, H., Xiao, H., Li, J., Pan, P., & Yang, W. (2024). Design method of high transport performance biochar-cement based materials based on particle size distribution and permeation probability calculation model. Construction and Building Materials, 411, 134557.
Photovoltaics Versus Negative Emissions Technologies
Vadadkar, S., Agrawal, S., & Preu, R. (2023, September). Photovoltaics Versus Negative Emissions Technologies. In Presented at the 40th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (Vol. 18, p. 22).
The primary factors influencing the cooling effect of carbon dioxide removal
Qu, X., & Huang, G. (2023). The primary factors influencing the cooling effect of carbon dioxide removal. npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, 6(1), 215.
The need for carbon emissions-driven climate projections in CMIP7
Sanderson, B. M., Booth, B. B., Dunne, J., Eyring, V., Fisher, R. A., Friedlingstein, P., ... & Zaehle, S. (2023). The need for carbon emissions-driven climate projections in CMIP7. EGUsphere, 2023, 1-51.
Mathematical Modeling and Monte Carlo Simulation of Negative Emissions Technology Portfolios
Migo-Sumagang, M. V., Tan, R. R., & Aviso, K. B. (2023). Mathematical Modeling and Monte Carlo Simulation of Negative Emissions Technology Portfolios. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 106, 13-18.
Decarbonizing India: Harnessing Direct-Air-Capture (DAC) to Combat the Climate Effects of Coal
Sinha, A. (2023). Decarbonizing India: Harnessing Direct-Air-Capture (DAC) to Combat the Climate Effects of Coal.
Toward quantification of the feasible potential of land-based carbon dioxide removal
Perkins, O., Alexander, P., Arneth, A., Brown, C., Millington, J. D., & Rounsevell, M. (2023). Toward quantification of the feasible potential of land-based carbon dioxide removal. One Earth, 6(12), 1638-1651.
Upscaling DAC Hubs with Wind Energy and CO2 Mineral Storage: Considerations for Large-Scale Carbon Removal from the Atmosphere
Goldberg, D. S., Nawaz, S., Lavin, J., & Slagle, A. L. (2023). Upscaling DAC Hubs with Wind Energy and CO2 Mineral Storage: Considerations for Large-Scale Carbon Removal from the Atmosphere. Environmental Science & Technology.
Direct air capture of CO2 using green amino acid salts
Momeni, A., McQuillan, R. V., Alivand, M. S., Zavabeti, A., Stevens, G. W., & Mumford, K. A. (2023). Direct air capture of CO2 using green amino acid salts. Chemical Engineering Journal, 147934.
Beyond emissions trading to a negative carbon economy: a proposed carbon removal obligation and its implementation
Bednar, J., Macinante, J., Baklanov, A., Hall, J., Wagner, F., Ghaleigh, N. S., & Obersteiner, M. (2023). Beyond emissions trading to a negative carbon economy: a proposed carbon removal obligation and its implementation. Climate Policy, 1-14.
Accelerated weathering of silicate rock dusts predicts the slow-release liming in soils depending on rock mineralogy, soil acidity, and test methodology
Van Der Bauwhede, R., Muys, B., Vancampenhout, K., & Smolders, E. (2024). Accelerated weathering of silicate rock dusts predicts the slow-release liming in soils depending on rock mineralogy, soil acidity, and test methodology. Geoderma, 441, 116734.
Substantial blue carbon sequestration in the world’s largest seagrass meadow
Fu, C., Frappi, S., Havlik, M. N., Howe, W., Harris, S. D., Laiolo, E., ... & Duarte, C. M. (2023). Substantial blue carbon sequestration in the world’s largest seagrass meadow. Communications Earth & Environment, 4(1), 474.
The distortionary effects of unconstrained for-profit carbon dioxide removal and the need for early governance intervention
Grubert, E., & Talati, S. (2024). The distortionary effects of unconstrained for-profit carbon dioxide removal and the need for early governance intervention. Carbon Management, 15(1), 2292111.
Justice in benefitting from carbon removal
Lenzi, D., Schübel, H., & Wallimann-Helmer, I. (2023). Justice in benefitting from carbon removal. Global Sustainability, 6, e22.
📰WEB POSTS
Carbon Removal Emerges As Pillar of Climate Action at Cop28, In Tandem with Emissions Reductions and Resiliency (Carbon Removals at COP28)
Stop Planting Trees, Says Guy Who Inspired World to Plant a Trillion Trees (Wired)
Longleaf Pine Restoration—a Major Climate Effort in the South—Curbs Its Ambitions to Meet Harsh Realities (Inside Climate News)
Key Takeaways From COP28 UAE (Carbon Herald)
Why does engineered carbon removal need ratings? (BeZero)
COP28: We need a reality check on hopes for carbon capture and removal, experts say (Phys.Org)
Plan to stash planet-heating carbon dioxide under U.S. national forests alarms critics (Grist)
Carbon removal isn’t weird anymore. That worries scientists (E&E News)
Spiritus hires former Tesla, Meta executive to lead carbon removal infrastructure efforts (The Business Journal)
Full corporate profit and emission dataset (Marginal Carbon)
Terraset Wrapped: 2023 year in review (Terraset)
Captura’s Year in Review (Captura)
Scientists convert CO2 into clean fuel (Politico Pro)
Five Insights on the Concrete and Cement Industry’s Transition to Net Zero (RMI)
10 highlights from a monumental year for carbon removal (Medium)
European climate tech founders are heading to Kenya (Sifted)
Can seaweed help store CO2 on the ocean floor? (National Oceanography Centre)
10 reasons we need carbon removal (Carbon-Based Commentry)
Revisions to Biochar Methodology (Verra)
Australian Farmers Profit from Soil Carbon Sequestration, Rupert Murdoch Joins Trend (Bnn)
India Announces Its Domestic Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) (Carbon Herald)
The Deutscher Verband für negative Emissionen e.V. (DVNE) has officially launched in Germany (LinkedIn)
Carbonfuture Closes Out 2023 as the World’s Leading Provider of Durable Carbon Dioxide Removal (Newswire)
CarbiCrete Concrete Products Meet or Exceed ASTM C90 Performance Requirements According to Third-Party (CarbiCrete)
New Protocol for Direct Air Capture (Isometric)
📑REPORTS
A Review of Engineered Greenhouse Gas Removal (GGR) Standards and Methodologies
📘THESIS
Measuring and Mapping Warehouse Impacts on Carbon Storage and Sequestration, An Ecosystem Service, In The Inland Empire
📖BOOK
Climate, Science and Society
🗣️DISCUSSIONS
The Azolla Event and Iron Fertilization
🧰CDR FIRMS
NeoCarbon
Arbonics
📆UPCOMING EVENTS
Info Session/Webinar with Peter Reinhardt by OpenAir | 08 January 2024
(NEW) COP28: Takeaways and Next Steps for CDR by AirMiners | 10 January 2024
CDR Capital Flow Chapter meeting | Paris Roundtable by Negative Emissions Platform | 11 January and 18 January 2024
2024 Call for Proposals—The importance of robust science-based innovation in the drive for rapid implementation by Carbon Technology Research Foundation | 16 January 2023
A transatlantic dialogue: carbon removal policy in the EU and USA by Carbon Gap | 17 January 2023
(NEW) AirMiners January 2024 Town Hall by AirMiners | 24 January 2024
Science Communication Training on Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal by Compass | Session 1: 1-2 February 2024, Session 2: 18 February 2024
CDR Capital Flow Chapter meeting | London Roundtable by Negative Emissions Platform | 01 February and 08 February 2024
Biochar 2024: The North American Conference on Climate Action with Biochar for Economic and Ecosystem Resilience by US Biochar Initiative (USBI) | 12-15 February 2024
The Leading Carbon Removal Business Summit by Carbon UnboundUSA | 22-23 May 2024
Negative CO₂ Emissions hosted at the University of Oxford by CO₂RE - The Greenhouse Gas Removal Hub, with financial support from UKRI | 18-21 June 2024
💼JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Project Engineer at Graphyte
“Graphyte uses Carbon Casting method which is a new approach to carbon removal that leverages readily available biomass, such as residues from timber and farming operations. We dry and compress it into dense carbon blocks protected by an environmentally-safe, impermeable barrier, and then store these blocks in underground sites with state-of-the-art monitoring. Carbon Casting preserves nearly all the carbon captured in the biomass and consumes very little energy in the process.”
Research Scientist in Responsible Deployment of Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies at CSIRO | Brisbane, QLD, AU
“At CSIRO, our research is dedicated to addressing the challenges and opportunities of the environmental sector, now and into the future. We bring together our capabilities and expertise across different disciplines and domains, to align and support the nation in creating a better and more sustainable future. One of such initiatives is the ‘Responsible Transition Pathways For New Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Technologies’ project – a collaborative multi-year research project between CSIRO’s CarbonLock Future Science Platform, Responsible Innovation Future Science Platform, and Environment Business Unit.”
Communications Manager at Carbon Removal Alliance | Remote, with preference for candidates based in New York City or Washington, DC area | Deadline: 19 January 2024
“The Carbon Removal Alliance unites the innovators working to build the next trillion-dollar industry. Together, we work to advance policies that support a diverse set of permanent carbon removal technologies. Our goal is to catalyze innovation, create high-quality jobs, drive economic development, and ensure that we achieve our climate goals.”
The Andrew Fenwick PhD in Geography: Forgotten forests: uncovering the value of woody features in Cornish landscapes Ref: 5046 at Environment and Sustainability Institute and Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Penryn Campus, Cornwall
“This project is focused on delivering novel research to improve understanding of how to maximise the role of trees and woodland in recovering biodiversity while also providing nature-based solutions to climate change that sequester carbon, improve flood resilience, enhance connectivity, and support population well-being. The project is co-designed and supervised by the academic team and council staff.”
Changing Seasons In A Changing World: The Role Of Phenology And Physiology On Carbon Sequestration In Temperate Forests at University of Birmingham | Deadline: 10 January 2024
“The overarching aim of the study is to assess the different contributions of phenological and physiological processes on recent changes in carbon sequestration in temperate forests and consider how these processes may influence carbon sequestration in the future.
This study will use an indicator-based approach to characterise recent historic variations and trends in temperate forest phenology e.g., start of season, growing season length, and physiology e.g., gross primary productivity, biomass, and how these different processes relate to carbon sequestration. Phenological and physiological processes are both important influences on carbon sequestration, but they are regulated by different environmental drivers, timescales, and feedbacks. Therefore, understanding the differential roles of phenology and physiology (as well as their interactions) on carbon sequestration will help to assess the relative importance of these processes for future carbon changes.
The implications of current and future projected changes in temperate forest phenology and physiology will be considered in the context of changes in carbon sequestration, including the potential for managing these ecosystems to enhance carbon sequestration.”
Biogeochemistry - Postdoctoral Researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | CA, USA
“We have an opening for a Biogeochemistry Postdoctoral Researcher to apply natural abundance radiocarbon analyses, including compound-specific and biomarker measurements, in support of new projects in soil carbon cycle science. You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team investigating soil-based carbon removal and water management using a suite of management approaches in agricultural sites throughout California, including crushed rock and organic amendments, polycultures, agrivoltaics and conversion to perennials. Your research will include studies of chemical and isotopic characterization of soil organic matter (SOM); identification of soil carbon sources and processing by microbes; development, testing, and application of protocols for separations of targeted chemical markers from soils and sediments for isotopic analysis; and data analysis and interpretation. You will be a part of the Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry group in the Atmospheric, Earth & Energy Division.”
Policy Manager & Communications Manager at The Deutscher Verband für negative Emissionen e.V. (DVNE)
“The DVNE strives to inform the public about negative emissions / Carbon Dioxide Removal & provide the flourishing CDR ecosystem in Germany with a coordinated & powerful voice.”
Communications and Marketing Lead, Climate Tech at RMI | Remote (U.S.)
“RMI is seeking a Communications and Marketing Lead to design and execute communications plans that accelerate the development, funding and market scaling of climate technology to avoid and remove emissions in line with a safer climate future. They will create and make use of diverse digital channels and media to advance RMI’s goals by engaging key audiences and stakeholders.”
Storage Manager at Capture6 | Remote (United States)
“At Capture6 we are developing rapidly-scalable carbon removal and decarbonization solutions and creating environmental benefits to accelerate the transition to a decarbonized global economy. We are seeking a new team member to join our research team to lead buildout of Capture6 storage solutions at a variety of project sites in development globally. This person will play a key role in providing scientific expertise and implementing monitoring, reporting and verification in the near and long term.”
Founders Associate Internship at Ucaneo | Berlin, Berlin, Germany
“Ucaneo are an early startup with a big vision - capture 0.5GT of global CO2 emissions from the air by 2035 through biotechnology, roughly the same weight as all humans on earth combined.
To meet our climate targets the reduction of CO2 emissions is not enough, the world actively has to capture billions of tons of CO2 from our atmosphere. To achieve that we at Ucaneo develop a pioneering biomimetic Direct Air Capture technology to remove CO2 from ambient air.”
Various Open Positions at Carbon to Sea Initiative:
“Carbon to Sea is the leading initiative to evaluate whether ocean alkalinity enhancement can safely remove and store billions of tons of CO2.”
🎙️PODCASTS
Nikki Batchelor and Mike Leitch Share XPRIZE Carbon Removal Progress | Earth911 Podcast
“How do you kickstart an industry? The $100 million XPrize for Carbon Removal recently announced its 15 winners in the first competition stage to achieve gigaton-scale carbon removal. With more than 1300 entrants in the XPrize process, the carbon removal prize may be the largest experiment in innovation in human history. The goal is to lower the cost of carbon removal to well below $100 per ton and ultimately to store atmospheric CO2 for centuries to halt and eventually reverse climate change. The XPrize Carbon Removal competition’s Executive Director, Nikki Batchelor, and Mike Leitch, the project’s technical leader, join the conversation to discuss the 15 milestone winners who earned $1 million each. When the final awards are announced in 2025, the winner will receive a $50-million prize, and the runners-up will split $30 million. Both for-profit and university teams were among this year’s winners, and they represent a variety of natural and technical approaches to capturing CO2 from the air and sequestering CO2 in the ocean, farmland, and rock formations.”
Scrubbing CO2 from the Atmosphere | Beyond Blueprints
“Episode #5 of Beyond Blueprints features Shiladitya Ghosh, COO and Cofounder of Mission Zero Technologies. He talks us through how scrubbing CO2 from the atmosphere is a difficult but urgent problem to tackle that touches on many disciplines.”
Carbon Removal at COP28 + 2023's CDR Wrapped | Nori
“The world’s annual climate summit, COP28, has wrapped up in Dubai. As usual, the massive gathering will end without an all-encompassing deal to fix the climate, but with many new side deals, pledges, and announcements that are very relevant to our climate future.
Boosters and critics alike will all find lots of fodder from the past few weeks, and for better or worse carbon removal played a role in the deliberations.
On this episode, our policy panel reflects on the role CDR played at COP, and catch up on some other major industry news as we wrap up 2023 including-
-The COP deal to “transition from fossil fuels”
-Why the Article 6.4 rules on offsets were postponed
-Which countries committed to going “carbon-negative” at COP28
-Record climate capital deployed all over the world
-“Carbon Removals at COP” coalition
-Frontier’s record CDR purchase from Lithos
-The Road to Removals report
-& the panels highlights of 2023 and what they hope to see in CDR in 2024.”
The future of mining needs to be carbon negative | The Carbon Curve
“In this episode, Na’im and Paul discuss:
•Paul’s journey into carbon removal and Arca’s founding history, from its academic roots to becoming a CDR company;
•The clean energy paradox;
•The science behind Arca’s approach;
•Arca’s solution to help the mining industry decarbonize;
•The process of partnering with mining companies;
•Arca’s role in mining industry’s objective to decarbonize;
•Arca’s partnership with BHP;
•Arca’s technologies in development around measurement and verification and their methodology;
•Ways in which government around the world could support CDR; and
•The company’s current and future priorities.”
🎥YOUTUBE VIDEOS
The Role of Insurance Mechanisms in the Carbon Dioxide Removal Sector | Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy
“This webinar, held on December 14th, 2023, considered the critical role that insurance mechanisms may play in driving the growth of carbon removal solutions. This included an assessment of the risks associated with the delivery of nature-based and engineered CDR projects and the practical role insurance plays in areas such as risk selection, pricing, mitigation, monitoring, and transfer. The panelists also tackled the "fungibility challenge,” i.e., the issues associated with comparing different carbon credits and finding ways to assess "like-for-like" results. The webinar also included the launch of Kita’s innovative policy option to receive eligible claims in replacement carbon credits.”
Beyond Blueprints: Scrubbing CO2 from the Atmosphere | Flow Engineering
“Episode #5 of Beyond Blueprints features Shiladitya Ghosh, COO and Cofounder of Mission Zero Technologies. He talks us through how scrubbing CO2 from the atmosphere is a difficult but urgent problem to tackle that touches on many disciplines.”
AirMyne: Building a scalable approach to Direct Air Capture | Rethinking Removals
“AirMyne is a team of engineers, scientists, and problem-solvers on a mission to mitigate the reach of climate change. They believe Direct Air Capture will play a critical role in the battle against climate change in the years to come.”
This Is CDR Ep.90: Carbon to Sea - Dr. Antonius Gagern & Irene Polnyi | OpenAir
“In this episode Toby and Megha welcome Dr. Antonius Gagern and Irene Polyni from Carbon to Sea, the leading initiative to evaluate whether ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) can safely remove and store billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide.”
James Mwangi: CDR is a massive economic opportunity for Africa | Rethinking Removals
Webinar: Restoring a Safe Climate for Future Generations | Climate Restoration Network
“A discussion with Peter Fiekowsky, founder of climate restoration and author, Climate Restoration—The Only Future That WIll Sustain the Human Race."
Dr. Gabrielle Waker: "CO2 REMOVALS & REDUCTION go hand-in-hand" - not an excuse to keep emitting | Rethinking Removals
Dr. Gabrielle Walker: Carbon Removal "is not nature vs. tech - It's both! And it must start now. | Rethinking Removals
Carbon Dioxide Removal's Big Communication Challenge | Carbon Unbound
“The vast majority of the population is unaware of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technology, even though it is a critical tool in our fight against climate change. We need to unlock the power of CDR by breaking barriers and building public understanding.”
🚨DEADLINES
Deadline Extended: Submit abstracts for the International Negative CO2 Emissions Conference until 01 January 2024
AirMiners Launchpad Batch #11 (Session: February to March 2024) | Application Deadline: 11 January 2024
“AirMiners Launchpad engages with entrepreneurs in an intensive six-week program for early carbon removal teams or individuals striving to advance their startup to remove carbon from the atmosphere. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply!
Deadline Extended: A student innovation challenge for carbon removal solutions by OpenAir | Deadline: 15 January 2024
(NEW) Calls for proposals: Climate Transformation Fund 2024 | Application Deadline: 21 January 2024
Electrochemical Processes for Carbon Dioxide Removal and Long-Term Storage | Manuscript Submission Deadline: 31 January 2024
Exploratory Grants for Atmospheric Methane Research: Spark Climate Solutions, a science-driven nonprofit, requests research proposals to advance scientific understanding of existing methane sinks and potential atmospheric methane removal approaches | Deadline: 01 March 2024
Extension: Biogeosciences Special Issue on OAE Environmental Impacts | 31 March 2024
Environmental Research Letter (ERL) - Focus Issue on Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) | Article Submission Deadline: 24 May 2024
(NEW) The Climate Intervention Environmental Impact Fund (CIEIF) announced another round of three grants for the first half of 2024 with increased award amounts of $65,000 each | Application Deadline: 01 June 2024