CARBON REMOVAL WEEKLY SUMMARY (23 OCTOBER - 29 OCTOBER 2023)-WEEK#36
Links to recent scientific papers, web posts, upcoming events, job opportunities, podcasts, and event recordings, etc. on Carbon Dioxide Removal Technology.
💸COMMERCIAL NEWS
U.S. Department of Energy Announces $36 Million to Advance Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Techniques and Slash Harmful Greenhouse Gas Pollution (arpa.e)
Exterra hones process to turn asbestos mines into carbon sinks—Firm hopes to raise $15 million for Series A round (Sustainable Biz Canada)
Verde Agritech Ltd Secures CAD 16.2 Million in Debt Financing Facility from Banco Do Brasil S.A. and Banco Bradesco S.A (Market Screener)
Eden Raises $12M To Scale Geologic Reservoir Permeability Enhancement Technology (Carbon Herald)
Projected Carbon Dioxide Removal Market Value to Reach $1.5 Billion by 2030, Underscoring Urgency in Climate Change Mitigation (PR Newswire)
📝RESEARCH PAPERS
pCO2 decrement through alkalinity enhancement and biological production in a shallow-water ecosystem constructed using steelmaking slag
Nakamura, W., Kosugi, C., Yoshimura, K., Kato, T., Sasaki, J., & Nakamura, Y. (2023). pCO2 decrement through alkalinity enhancement and biological production in a shallow-water ecosystem constructed using steelmaking slag. Marine Environmental Research, 106223.
Building a carbon dioxide removal science–policy partnership for Southern Africa
Monteiro, P., & Midgley, G. F. (2023). Building a carbon dioxide removal science-policy partnership for southern Africa. South African Journal of Science, 119(9-10), 1-6.
The enhanced weathering potential of a range of silicate and carbonate additions in a UK agricultural soil
Buckingham, F. L., & Henderson, G. M. (2023). The enhanced weathering potential of a range of silicate and carbonate additions in a UK agricultural soil. Science of The Total Environment, 167701.
Negative carbon concrete for achieving next generation of sustainable and durable modular integrated construction (MIC): A review
Ji, X., Chen, L., Zhong, Y., Zhang, Y., Li, J., Pan, W., & Su, R. K. L. (2023). NEGATIVE CARBON CONCRETE FOR ACHIEVING NEXT GENERATION OF SUSTAINABLE AND DURABLE MODULAR INTEGRATED CONSTRUCTION (MIC): A REVIEW. In Creative Construction e-Conference 2023 (pp. 546-555). Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
Solar geoengineering and carbon removal significantly lower economic climate damages
Liu, A., Moore, J. C., Cheng, X., & Chen, Y. (2023). Solar geoengineering and carbon removal significantly lower economic climate damages. One Earth.
Life cycle assessment of a direct air capture and storage plant in Ireland
Casaban, D., & Tsalaporta, E. (2023). Life cycle assessment of a direct air capture and storage plant in Ireland. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 18309.
Challenges and Opportunities: Metal–Organic Frameworks for Direct Air Capture
Bose, S., Sengupta, D., Rayder, T. M., Wang, X., Kirlikovali, K. O., Sekizkardes, A. K., ... & Farha, O. K. (2023). Challenges and Opportunities: Metal–Organic Frameworks for Direct Air Capture. Advanced Functional Materials, 2307478.
A review of emerged constructed wetlands based on biochar filler: Wastewater purification and carbon sequestration/greenhouse gas reduction
Yang, R., & Yang, Q. (2024). A review of emerged constructed wetlands based on biochar filler: Wastewater purification and carbon sequestration/greenhouse gas reduction. Environmental Engineering Research, 29(2).
Disentangling artificial and natural benthic weathering in organic rich Baltic Sea sediments
Fuhr, M., Wallmann, K., Dale, A. W., Diercks, I., Kalapurakkal, H. T., Schmidt, M., ... & Geilert, S. Disentangling artificial and natural benthic weathering in organic rich Baltic Sea sediments. Frontiers in Climate, 5, 1245580.
Temperature extremes of 2022 reduced carbon uptake by forests in Europe
van der Woude, A. M., Peters, W., Joetzjer, E., Lafont, S., Koren, G., Ciais, P., ... & Luijkx, I. T. (2023). Temperature extremes of 2022 reduced carbon uptake by forests in Europe. Nature Communications, 14(1), 6218.
A tailored decomposition approach for optimization under uncertainty of carbon removal technologies in the EU power system
Negri, V., Vázquez, D., Grossmann, I. E., & Guillén-Gosálbez, G. A tailored decomposition approach for optimization under uncertainty of carbon removal technologies in the EU power system.
Wastewater Treatment for Carbon Dioxide Removal
Masindi, V., Foteinis, S., Renforth, P., & Chatzisymeon, E. (2023). Wastewater Treatment for Carbon Dioxide Removal. ACS Omega.
Drought and heat reduce forest carbon uptake
Wolf, S., & Paul-Limoges, E. (2023). Drought and heat reduce forest carbon uptake. nature communications, 14(1), 6217.
Techno-economic analysis of a combined power plant CO2 capture and direct air capture concept for flexible power plant operation
Sheha, M., Graham, E. J., Gençer, E., Mallapragada, D., Herzog, H., Cross, P., ... & Cormier, I. (2023). Techno-economic analysis of a combined power plant CO2 capture and direct air capture concept for flexible power plant operation. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 108472.
Air-Purge Regenerative Direct Air Capture Using an Externally Heated and Cooled Temperature-Swing Adsorber Packed with Solid Amine
Vannak, H., Osaka, Y., Tsujiguchi, T., & Kodama, A. (2023). Air-Purge Regenerative Direct Air Capture Using an Externally Heated and Cooled Temperature-Swing Adsorber Packed with Solid Amine. Separations, 10(7), 415.
Direct evidence for atmospheric carbon dioxide removal via enhanced weathering in cropland soil
Holzer, I. O., Nocco, M. A., & Houlton, B. (2023). Direct evidence for atmospheric carbon dioxide removal via enhanced weathering in cropland soil. Environmental Research Communications.
Direct Air Carbon Capture and Recovery Utilizing Alkaline Solution Circulation
Liu, L., Gong, F., & Xiao, R. (2023). Direct Air Carbon Capture and Recovery Utilizing Alkaline Solution Circulation. Energy & Fuels.
📰WEB POSTS
Burning questions surround biomass-based carbon removals (Reuters)
Amazon’s Dark Secret: The Soil That Supercharges Tree Growth (SciTech Daily)
An Oil Giant Quietly Ditched the World’s Biggest Carbon Capture Plant (Bloomberg)
6 innovative startups that are kicking CO2 out of cement and concrete (Canary Media)
Parliament’s ENVI Committee renames CRCF and introduces vital clarifications to the Certification Framework (Bellona.org)
Climate Fear - History of CDR and Geoengineering (Carbon Dioxide Removal Google Group)
How humans broke a natural law that governed ocean life for millions of years (ZME Science)
Magazine: Carbon removals briefing (The Ethical Corporation Magazine)
Patch Integrates With Puro Registry to Create Digital Efficiencies for Carbon Removal Providers (Business Wire)
Canadian Wollastonite And UNDO Partner On Enhanced Rock Weathering (Carbon Herald)
Solidia Technologies to Partner with 3Degrees to Issue High-Integrity Carbon Credits (Valdosta Daily Times)
Silicate To Undertake First-Ever Enhanced Weathering Trial In The U.S. (Carbon Herald)
Regranting for just carbon removal, one year later—The biggest takeaways and what lies ahead (Carbon180)
Milestone Carbon Announces Development of Carbon Sequestration Hub in Midland Basin (Milestone Environmental Services)
Carbon removals: MEPs want EU certification scheme to boost uptake (European Parliament)
45th Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Convention and the 18th Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Protocol (LC 45/LP 18) (International Maritime Organization)
From Buildings To Ocean Water, Startups Are Finding More Places To Stow Carbon (Crunchbase News)
Carbdown Greenhouse: How We Juggle Over 4 Million Data Points Daily in Real-Time. And Why (Carbon Drawdown Initiative)
EU Parliament Votes On The Carbon Removal Certification Framework (Carbon Herald)
Quantification of ERW: Suggesting the concept of “stages” for MRV (Carbon Drawdown Initiative)
What is biochar? Why an ancient farming technique could help fight climate change (Fast Company)
Adding crushed rock to farmland pulls carbon out of the air, field test shows (Phys.Org)
From Bill Gates to the pope, talk of carbon capture and its efficacy is dividing society (CNBC)
Carbon Removal Isn't Just for Corporations. Individuals Are Paying For It, Too (Bloomberg)
Remove Announced Cohort 5 Of Its European CDR Startup Accelerator (Carbon Herald)
Carbon Removal's best quarter yet (Terraform Now)
A look at the 2023 voluntary carbon market (Carbon Direct)
Implementing a new, promising approach to carbon removal: why we need to evaluate wood harvesting and storage at scale (Illuminen)
Carbon Offset Market Faces Chaos as African Mega-Project Collapses (Bloomberg)
The carbon removal industry is in the ‘figuring it out’ phase (Latitude Media)
Sublime Systems Receives Life Cycle Assessment Validating its Electrified Cement Manufacturing Process Enables >90% Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction (Businesswire)
Rubicon Carbon Announces Two New Features to Improve VCM (Rubicon Carbon)
📗THESIS
Addressing Soil Carbon Sequestration Response from Multispecies Dairy Forage Systems and Modeling Rangeland Beef Cow Dry Matter Intake Using Precision Enteric Emissions Measurements
Understanding the Role of Global Meridional Overturning Circulation in the Ocean Carbon Sink
📑REPORTS
Sustainable Biomass Sourcing for Carbon Dioxide Removal—Mitigating the risks of biomass-based carbon dioxide removal contracting
FROZEN ARCTIC: Compendium of interventions to slow down, halt, and reverse the effects of climate change in the Arctic and northern regions
Rethinking Integrity in the Voluntary Carbon Market
Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets: A Playbook for Corporate Action
🗣️DISCUSSIONS
Is alkalinity addition by wastewater treatment facilities CDR?
🧰CDR FIRMS
Limenet
Exterra
📆UPCOMING EVENTS
(NEW) The Problems and Publics of Net Zero: Anticipating Carbon Removal? by Centre for Development Studies | 31 October 2023
This Is CDR Ep86: Communicating Carbon Removal with Dr. Rob Bellamy by OpenAir Collective | 31 October 2023
Rooted in Debate: Exploring the role of soil carbon in EU climate action by Carbon Gap | 31 October 2023
(NEW) Net-Zero Festival, London | 31 October - 01 November 2023
Screen projects for carbon risks with our new Scorecard–Introducing our self-serve risk assessment tool by BeZero | 01 November 2023
Innovations in Biochar: New Uses to Unlock its Potential by AirMiners | 01 November 2023
(NEW) Marine CDR | Report Launch by Aspen Institute | 02 November 2023
Carbon Removal Technology webinar & report launch by The Energyst & Drax | 02 November 2023
2024 Carbon Removal Challenge Info Session w/ Frontier and RMI! by OpenAir Collective | 06 November 2023
The Role of Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) in UK Net Zero by CO₂RE - The Greenhouse Gas Removal Hub | 07 November 2023
(NEW) Seminar and networking in Brussels for permanent removals: How can BECCS contribute to your net-zero target? | 07 November 2023
(NEW) Potential Role of BBNJ Treaty in Ocean-Based CDR by Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy | 07 November 2023
International Biochar Initiative's Annual Symposium | 7-9 November 2023
Carbon Removal Canada: Launch Event by Carbon Removal Canada | 08 November 2023
Third Annual Carbon Dioxide Removal Law & Policy Conference by Institute of Carbon Removal Law and Policy | 09 November 2023
TechEthos policy event: Ethics for the Green and Digital Transition by TechEthos | 14 November 2023
Direct Air Capture Panel Discussion by the University of California, Davis, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas | 15 November 2023
Carbon Open Canvas by AirMiners | 15 November 2023
CDR Capital Flow Chapter meeting | Zurich Roundtable by Negative Emissions Platform | 23 November and 30 November 2023
Carbon to Value Initiative Year 3 Final Showcase by Greentown Labs | 30 November 2023
This Is CDR Epxx: Rewind -- Terrestrial Biomass Sinking in Anoxic Zones by OpenAir Collective | 12 December 2023
CDR Capital Flow Chapter meeting | Paris Roundtable by Negative Emissions Platform | 11 January and 18 January 2023
Science Communication Training on Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal by Compass | Session 1: 1-2 February 2024, Session 2: 18 February 2023
CDR Capital Flow Chapter meeting | London Roundtable by Negative Emissions Platform | 01 February and 08 February 2023
Biochar 2024: The North American Conference on Climate Action with Biochar for Economic and Ecosystem Resilience by US Biochar Initiative (USBI) | 12-15 February 2023
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
Director of Community and Stakeholder Engagement at DeepSky | Quebec | Full-time | Remote
“Deep Sky is the world's first gigaton-scale carbon capture company. We're looking for a bilingual and experienced Quebec-based community and stakeholder relations professional to join our Deep Sky team as a Director of Community and Stakeholder Engagement. This role is a stellar opportunity to help us identify communities to build and work with our team to develop Canada into a global leader in Carbon Dioxide Removal.”
Financial Controller at DeepSky | Remote
“Deep Sky is the world's first gigaton-scale carbon capture company. We're looking for a bilingual and experienced Quebec-based community and stakeholder relations professional to join our Deep Sky team as a Director of Community and Stakeholder Engagement. This role is a stellar opportunity to help us identify communities to build and work with our team to develop Canada into a global leader in Carbon Dioxide Removal.”
Manager, Greenhouse Gas Removal at Bezos Earth Fund | Washington DC
“At the Bezos Earth Fund, we focus on tackling some of the world's toughest problems. Our team is comprised of an incredible group of compassionate, knowledgeable, dedicated individuals, motivated to make a difference. We come from scientific, government, private, and nonprofit backgrounds. We are thought leaders, problem solvers, and doers, all working to deliver transformational change in this decisive decade.”
Various open positions at RepAir:
“RepAir Carbon was founded in 2020 with a mission to pioneer the most sustainable carbon dioxide removal solution.”
Funded Masters of Sustainability Studies Position Available to Study of Farmer Perspectives on Soil Carbon Sequestration Sensors | 18 December 2023
“Through grant funding, we have $15,000 CAD/year in funding to offer to the selected Masters’ student, in both 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 ($30,000 CAD total), and $3000 CAD to support attendance at one conference during their studies. This funding is in addition to a $11,000 CAD/year graduate teaching assistantship, and any additional scholarships and bursaries they may bring with them from external funders. This funding does not include tuition or fee remissions.”
Doctoral scholarship holder in the field of wood biomass production and forest carbon cycling at the University of Antwerp
“You will work actively on the preparation of a PhD thesis in the field of wood biomass production and forest carbon cycling. The study is focused on intra-seasonal dynamics. Wood production will be investigated with xylogenesis measurements with X-ray Computed Tomography, while data on carbon fluxes with be derived from eddy covariance towers. The project aims to combine and compare the two data streams, for beech, oak and pine forests of the temperate European zone. The research will be conducted in strong collaboration with Ghent University and international partners within the ICOS network.”
Part-Time Geochemistry Intern - Laboratory Testing at Aquarry
“Aquarry is a pre-seed stage startup working to convert mine pit lakes into massive carbon sinks. We’re seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented part-time intern to assist with laboratory testing of a new carbon removal process. This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a cutting-edge climate tech startup and contribute to the development of innovative solutions for carbon removal.”
🎙️PODCASTS
New Science Says Biochar is Very Permanent | Carbon Removal Newsroom
“In our guest’s corner of the geoscience field, inertinites are well-known to be stable forms of carbon. So Hamed Sanei was surprised to learn that there was significant debate over the stability of CO2 storage in biochar, which is an inertinite. In his view, the science of that question has been settled for a long time, and the answer is clear: biochar is durable carbon removal.
Biochar represented 92% of permanent carbon removal sales in the first part of 2023.
It is technologically ready and accessible by a larger share of businesses and populations than other ‘permanent methods’ due to its relatively low-tech production. A recent report found it could one day deliver three gigatons of CDR annually. More investment money is flowing to companies doing biochar, and it has become a staple of CDR portfolios among buyers who are diversifying.
Not only that, but it is thousands of years old and works as a soil amendment that helps crop productivity. It can be made from various biomass types, and the potential uses are just as numerous.
However, a major question has hovered over the reputation of biochar: Is the carbon removed from the atmosphere by biochar stored permanently, or will it quickly seep back into the air?
However, recent research has drawn some optimistic conclusions.
Hamed walks us through why there has been debate, what his research has found, and why he thinks the debate over carbon storage permanence needs to be closed so that the biochar community can focus on improving and scaling the use of biochar.”
David Koweek of Ocean Visions on the importance of interdisciplinary networks for marine Carbon Dioxide Removal | Plan Sea: Ocean Interventions to Address Climate Change
“David tells us about Ocean Vision's general work and thematic pillars. In particular, we discuss the importance of field trials in order for scaleup of mCDR approaches, as well as what is currently hindering scaling generally. As we navigate these different thematic focus points, David presents Ocean Vision's amazing resources such as the Launchpad Program, CDR Roadmaps, and their curate CDR Community. Finally, David also sheds light on the important work they are doing on an international stage at the United Nations.”
Can gifting carbon removal help spread awareness of our nascent industry?—w/ Thanks a Ton's cofounders | Reversing Climate Change
“What if you bought carbon removal, not as an offset, but rather as a gift?
This week we sat down with the founding team at Thanks a Ton (Laura Katayama, Tessaria Mihangel, and our own Siobhan Montoya Lavender), a carbon dioxide removal gifting startup on a mission to spread awareness about the burgeoning high-quality CDR industry.
“We take climate change very seriously, but try not to take ourselves too seriously” is a mantra the team lives by.
Thanks a Ton offers a platform where you can send the gift of carbon removal via a digital greeting card. Although the team admits that they are still circling product-market fit, they have had little problem securing high-quality project developers and have gotten a lot of attention for their fun-loving and often striking artwork.
In this episode we dive into this scrappy startup and the surprisingly robust platform they’ve built to engage non-insiders with carbon removal.”
Why we need to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, with Carbon180’s Anu Khan | Good Clean Energy
“Anu Khan, Deputy Director of Science and Innovation at the nonprofit Carbon180, joins Good Clean Energy to discuss the ins and outs of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Throughout the industrial era, we’ve emitted roughly 2 trillion tons of carbon dioxide, 1 trillion of which is still in the atmosphere today and is going to continue to cause warming for an extended period of time. Most of that warming is caused by the burning of fossil fuels for energy, and reducing emissions is crucial to keeping global warming below the goal of 2°C. But the challenge doesn’t end there. That’s where carbon dioxide removal comes in. While there are a few ways to actually remove the carbon dioxide and there’s the question of who should really pay for it, it’s clear that CO2 removal is necessary. “It's fundamentally a climate justice solution, and carbon removed anywhere benefits everyone globally,” Khan said.”
🎥YOUTUBE VIDEOS
A tour of newly funded marine carbon dioxide removal mCDR projects | NOAA Ocean Acidification Program
“This webinar series presented by the Coastal Acidification Networks along the West Coast and Alaska as well as California Ocean Science Trust is intended to deliver the best available information on marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) and to explore concepts related to coastal ocean carbon. Through this series of co-designed webinars, participants will gain a better understanding of mCDR technologies, limitations, risks, and learn how to become engaged. This webinar will provide an overview of the mCDR projects funded by the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP), to be released on Sept 7th. Come learn about the locations and foci of this exciting portfolio of new mCDR projects!”
Here's how carbon removal from the atmosphere is making waves in the fight against climate change | ABC11
“The latest fight against climate change is happening in a lonely, lunar-like valley in Iceland, where carbon is snatched from the atmosphere and buried deep underground.”
Removing carbon | Ifeoma from UNDO | Neon
“Meet Ifeoma! Ifeoma works as a soil scientist at UNDO, a company working to remove carbon from the atmosphere with the help of enhanced rock weathering.”
Kevin Anderson on CDR and NETs - Reductionist versus systems thinking | Nick Breeze ClimateGenn
This Is CDR Ep. 85: CarbonBlue with Dr. Dan Deviri | OpenAir
“In this installment of This Is CDR we are pleased to welcome CarbonBlue Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Dan Deviri to present the company's approach to direct ocean removal of carbon dioxide via marine calcium looping.”
Green Carbon Webinar - Viktor goes green - Producer of biochar and production equipment | Christian Wurzer
“Free Green Carbon Webinar from 19th October 2023 by Marc Moons (Viktor Goes Green, Belgium). This talk was presented as part of the Green Carbon Webinar Series.”
How this NYC Factory is Trapping CO2 in Concrete Blocks | Canary Media
“Canary Media’s Maria Gallucci visited Glenwood Mason Supply's facility in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. The company mixes CO2 into its concrete blocks, where the greenhouse gas stays trapped forever in mineral form. The CO2 is locally sourced, captured from high-rise apartment buildings in Manhattan by startup CarbonQuest, and then injected with technology from CarbonCure.
Cement and concrete production are responsible for roughly 8 percent of total human-caused CO2 emissions every year, more than the aviation and cargo-shipping sectors combined. Injecting CO2 into concrete is one of many approaches that companies are taking to address the construction industry’s outsize climate impact.”
TIME names UCLA climate solution a 2023 ‘best invention’ | UCLA
“Time magazine has named the carbon-removal Equatic process developed at UCLA’s Institute for Carbon Management one of the best inventions of 2023 in the sustainability category.”
Global Direct Air Capture Conference Day 1 FULL | Direct Air Capture Coalition
“Full Video of Day 1 of the 2023 Global Direct Air Capture Conference which took place on October 16th in NYC at Columbia University.”
Global Direct Air Capture Conference - Day 2 FULL | Direct Air Capture Coalition
“Full Video of Day 2 of the 2023 Global Direct Air Capture Conference which took place on October 17th in NYC at Columbia University.”
A guide to buying CO2 Removal Certificates (CORCs) with Puro.earth | puro_earth
“Neutralize your unavoidable emissions with CO2 Removal Certificates, a revolutionary new carbon removal credit.”
Articles 6.2 and 6.4 Technical Events - Day 3 | UN Climate Change - Events
Could Rocks Be the Climate Change Solution We've Been Searching For? | XPRIZE
“What if rocks—yes, rocks—could be the key to reversing the effects of climate change? New Zealand-based company Aspiring Materials is a mineral conversion company taking some of the most common rocks on the planet and turning them into useful products that can help with carbon capture and decarbonize heavy industry.
At the heart of their innovative process lies the most abundant rock on our planet, rich in magnesium, silica, and iron. Through a meticulous extraction process, they unlock the unique carbon-capturing prowess of magnesium, while simultaneously yielding iron, silica, and hydrogen—low-emissions ingredients essential for the progress of our world.”
Commercial Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchase Pilot Prize Informational Webinar: October 24, 2023 | American-Made Challenges
“Information about the CDR Purchase Pilot Prize and information on competing in Phase 1 of the prize.”
A Closer Look at Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement | NOAA Ocean Acidification Program
“This webinar series presented by the Coastal Acidification Networks along the West Coast and Alaska as well as California Ocean Science Trust is intended to deliver the best available information on marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) and to explore concepts related to coastal ocean carbon. Through this series of co-designed webinars, participants will gain a better understanding of mCDR technologies, limitations, risks, and learn how to become engaged. This webinar will provide an overview of the science of ocean alkalinity enhancement, how it works, why it’s receiving attention as a marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) strategy, and potential impacts being studied.”\