Articles tagged with "carbon-removal"
Inside Brazil’s basalt project turning rock into carbon sinks
The article highlights a large-scale carbon removal initiative in Brazil, where a Manhattan-sized basalt field is being used as a live testbed for Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW). Led by the carbon removal company Terradot in partnership with Microsoft, the project accelerates the natural process by which silicate rocks capture atmospheric CO₂. Finely milled basalt is spread on farmland, where it reacts with rain and soil to form bicarbonate, effectively storing carbon in dissolved form. Brazil’s favorable climate, renewable energy availability, and abundant basalt resources make it an ideal location for this approach. Over the past year, Terradot has applied over 100,000 tonnes of basalt across 4,500 hectares, aiming not only for carbon removal but also to provide agronomic benefits to farmers. Microsoft supports the project beyond funding, contributing technical expertise and backing Terradot’s rigorous measurement and verification efforts. Central to the initiative is the Sentinel research site in São Paulo state, which monitors carbon’s journey from
energycarbon-capturebasaltenhanced-rock-weatheringrenewable-energycarbon-removalsoil-sensorsSequestering All That CO2 ... In Macroalgae - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the urgent need to not only transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles but also actively remove the excess CO2 already in the atmosphere to prevent catastrophic climate change. Hans-Josef Fell, former German parliament member and energy expert, highlights research compiled by the Energy Watch Group showing that floating macroalgae (seaweed) farms in subtropical ocean gyres could sequester vast amounts of carbon dioxide within decades. These seaweed farms grow rapidly when nourished by nutrient-rich deep water, offering a promising natural carbon sink that could help bring atmospheric CO2 levels below critical planetary limits. Beyond carbon removal, the biomass from these large-scale seaweed farms could replace fossil fuels and fossil-based raw materials, while also enhancing global food security and creating sustainable marine economies—especially benefiting countries in the Global South. While the concept of ocean farming for carbon sequestration is compelling, the article acknowledges the complexity and challenges of safely and effectively implementing such solutions at scale. It encourages further exploration of the Energy Watch
energyrenewable-energycarbon-sequestrationmacroalgaeclimate-changesustainable-marine-economycarbon-removalAltitude Expands Ascent 1 Financing Facility To 250,000t Carbon Removals - CleanTechnica
Altitude has expanded its Ascent 1 financing facility for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from an initial commitment of 50,000 tons to 250,000 tons of carbon removals. Launched earlier this year, Ascent 1 aims to provide structured, long-term financing for high-integrity removal projects, reflecting Altitude’s belief that the CDR market is ready for significant growth and requires larger-scale financial support. The expanded facility is designed to offer developers stronger demand signals, improve price stability, and facilitate the scaling of projects from mid-size to industrial levels. The program continues to prioritize durable removals verified through methodologies from partners such as Puro and other verification platforms, with a global reach that especially supports CDR facilities in the Global South. This scale-up highlights the increasing momentum behind engineered biomass-based carbon removal and acknowledges the challenges of delivering removals at commercial volumes. Altitude emphasizes the importance of rigorous measurement, permanence, and portfolio diversification as it deploys the expanded financing, contributing
energycarbon-removalclimate-financecarbon-dioxide-removalclean-technologysustainabilityenvironmental-financeBuilding the world's largest direct air capture facility
The Stratos facility in West Texas is set to become the world’s largest commercial-scale direct air capture (DAC) plant, aiming to begin operations by the end of 2025. Designed to capture 500,000 tonnes of CO2 annually—about 14 times the capacity of the current largest DAC plant in Iceland—Stratos represents a critical test of whether DAC technology can be scaled beyond pilot projects. DAC is a cutting-edge carbon removal method that extracts CO2 directly from ambient air, which contains CO2 at a very low concentration (~0.04%), requiring the processing of massive volumes of air through chemical systems that bind and then release concentrated CO2 for underground storage. DAC differs fundamentally from traditional carbon capture and storage (CCS), which captures CO2 from concentrated emission sources such as power plants. Because atmospheric CO2 is roughly 1,000 times more dilute than point-source emissions, DAC systems must handle much larger air volumes, resulting in higher energy use, costs, and engineering challenges
energycarbon-capturedirect-air-captureclimate-technologyrenewable-energycarbon-removalenvironmental-engineeringClimate-Positive Syncraft Power Plant In Waiern, Austria, Quickly Takes Shape - CleanTechnica
The Syncraft power plant under construction in Waiern, Austria, is rapidly progressing, having completed key milestones such as steel construction, container assembly, installation of the INNIO gas engine, and rooftop radiator mounting. The next steps include insulation, pipework, and electrical installation, with commissioning planned for the third quarter of 2025. This facility will utilize regional forest residues to generate renewable electricity and heat, feeding directly into the local district heating network, while also producing carbon dioxide removal (CDR) products like green carbon or biochar, resulting in a climate-positive operation. This project exemplifies the benefits of decentralized, regional energy production by enhancing energy security and reducing transport emissions. Beyond renewable energy generation, the plant actively removes CO₂ from the atmosphere, making it genuinely carbon negative. Its integration into Waiern’s existing district heating system demonstrates a scalable and replicable model for municipalities aiming for sustainable energy solutions. The Syncraft Waiern plant highlights how combining regional biomass resources, innovative engineering, and
energyrenewable-energyclimate-positivebiomass-power-plantcarbon-removaldistrict-heatingclean-energyAltitude Partners With Greenglow For 50,000+ Tons Of CDRs In Southeast Asia - CleanTechnica
Altitude has partnered with Greenglow to secure over 50,000 tons of Carbon Dioxide Removal Certificates (CORCs) in Southeast Asia, verified through the Puro Registry to ensure transparency and durability. This collaboration supports Altitude’s ambition to become a leading platform for financing carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Greenglow operates carbon hubs that convert agricultural waste and forestry residues into biochar via advanced pyrolysis technology, which sequesters carbon for centuries while enhancing soil fertility, reducing health risks from waste burning, and lowering fertilizer usage and costs. The partnership highlights the growing recognition of biochar as a scalable, verifiable carbon removal solution with significant climate and community benefits. Southeast Asia is identified as a key region for biochar-based CDR, supported by initiatives such as Malaysia’s National Biomass Action Plan 2030. This collaboration enables Greenglow to expand its infrastructure and scale its impact, reinforcing Altitude’s role as a global leader in durable carbon removal efforts.
energycarbon-removalbiocharpyrolysissustainabilityclimate-changeSoutheast-AsiaCarbon Removal India Alliance: India's Carbon & CDR Policy Update H1 - 2025 - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica, curated with the Carbon Removal India Alliance (CRIA), highlights significant advancements in India’s climate policy landscape in the first half of 2025. Key developments include the introduction of mandatory Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) targets under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) for five high-emission sectors—Aluminum, Iron & Steel, Petroleum Refineries, Petrochemicals, and Textiles. This policy enables entities that exceed targets to earn tradable carbon credits, while those that fall short must purchase credits or face penalties, marking a critical step in operationalizing India’s carbon market. The draft notification is currently open for public comment. Additionally, India and Japan are finalizing a Joint Credit Mechanism (JCM) under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, allowing Japanese firms to invest in carbon-reduction technologies in India, particularly in solar energy, green hydrogen, and sustainable aviation fuel. This bilateral cooperation aims to attract international
energycarbon-removalclimate-policycarbon-marketsclean-energydecarbonizationbiocharFrontier buys $31M worth of antacids for the ocean
Frontier, a carbon removal clearinghouse founded by companies including Google and Shopify, has purchased 115,208 metric tons of carbon removal credits from the geoengineering startup Planetary. This marks Frontier’s first agreement to remove carbon by enhancing ocean alkalinity, a method that involves increasing the ocean’s natural alkalinity to absorb more carbon dioxide. The deal prices carbon removal at $270 per metric ton, although Planetary aims to reduce this cost to under $100 per metric ton in the future. Ocean alkalinity enhancement has the potential to remove over 1 billion metric tons of CO2 annually, offering a significant tool in combating climate change. The oceans have historically absorbed large amounts of atmospheric CO2, which has slowed global warming but also increased ocean acidity, threatening marine life. Since the industrial revolution, ocean pH has dropped from about 8.2 to 8.1, representing a 30% increase in acidity due to carbonic acid formation when CO2 reacts with seawater. Planet
energycarbon-removalocean-alkalinity-enhancementclimate-change-mitigationgeoengineeringenvironmental-technologycarbon-creditsSyncraft Builds New Climate-Positive Power Plant In Wallern, Austria - CleanTechnica
The article discusses Syncraft’s new climate-positive power plant under construction in Wallern, Austria, set to be commissioned in March 2026. This innovative facility will convert regional forest residues into baseload renewable electricity, high-temperature exhaust heat, and biochar for carbon dioxide removal (CDR). The plant’s design reflects Syncraft’s climate-positive philosophy by gasifying biomass to produce clean energy while simultaneously locking carbon into biochar for long-term storage, thus actively removing CO₂ from the atmosphere. The waste heat generated (up to 390 °C) will be repurposed on-site, such as for sludge drying, enhancing overall system efficiency. The Wallern plant is part of a broader decentralized renewable energy network, complementing a nearby biomethane facility operated by Wels Strom. This synergy exemplifies Austria’s leadership in the clean-energy transition by integrating local resource use, carbon removal, and community benefits through combined thermal and electrical outputs. Wallern also joins a growing fleet of over 30
energyrenewable-energybioenergycarbon-removalclean-electricityclimate-positive-power-plantbiomass-gasificationClimeFi Co-Founder Paolo Piffaretti On The Growing CDR Asset Mgmt Opportunity - CleanTechnica
ClimeFi, co-founded by Paolo Piffaretti, is a company focused on addressing the complexities and risks in the carbon dioxide removal (CDR) market by providing corporate buyers with tools, insights, and guarantees to integrate durable carbon removals into their climate strategies. Unique in its buyer-centric business model, ClimeFi charges fees solely to buyers and not suppliers, ensuring alignment with buyers' interests while emphasizing durable CDR solutions. This approach aims to maximize the delivery probability of CDR credits and offers a high level of market sophistication. Looking ahead, ClimeFi aims to establish itself as the leading CDR asset manager within three years, particularly by facilitating compliance markets such as International Transfer Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) under the Paris Agreement. The company is innovating with technology to enhance market transparency, exemplified by its recently launched Analyst Rating system inspired by financial sector analysis, designed to support portfolio management decisions. Piffaretti highlights unresolved challenges in the sector, notably the need
energycarbon-removalclimate-strategyclean-energycarbon-creditssustainabilitygreen-transitionAbsolute Climate Co-Founder Peter Minor Speaks Carbon Removal - CleanTechnica
Peter Minor, Co-Founder of Absolute Climate, first encountered the concept of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in 2014 during his graduate studies at UC Berkeley, but his professional involvement began in 2019 at Carbon180. Absolute Climate distinguishes itself by developing independent quality-assurance standards that uniformly evaluate all carbon removal projects, enabling buyers to compare projects fairly. Crucially, the organization separates quality assurance from credit issuance to avoid conflicts of interest, ensuring that the entity defining credit quality is distinct from the one issuing credits. Minor reflects that if he were to restart Absolute Climate, he would focus earlier on local policy engagement, as impactful climate policies often originate at city or state levels, building momentum and grassroots support. Looking ahead, he acknowledges that while carbon removal is still proving its essential role in climate change mitigation, Absolute Climate aims to be pivotal in aligning incentives toward quality and providing robust evidence of real atmospheric benefits. He also highlights ongoing challenges, such as balancing resources between emissions reductions and negative emissions, noting
energycarbon-removalclimate-changecarbon-capturesustainabilityenvironmental-technologyclean-energyMicrosoft uses human poop to offset emissions from its AI empire
Microsoft has partnered with waste management firm Vaulted Deep in a 12-year agreement to offset 4.9 million metric tons of carbon emissions generated by its artificial intelligence operations. The company’s approach involves injecting a slurry of human and farm waste—including biosolids, manure, and food waste—5,000 feet underground into sealed rock formations. This method, which has been used for decades to manage industrial waste, effectively locks away carbon that would otherwise contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. For each ton of carbon sequestered this way, Microsoft earns carbon removal credits, helping it reduce its net emissions and advance its goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030. Vaulted Deep’s technique stands out because it leverages existing infrastructure rather than relying on slower or less scalable options like tree planting or direct air capture. The process also addresses environmental concerns associated with traditional waste disposal methods, such as nutrient runoff and methane emissions from land-applied biosolids. While the approach offers measurable climate and public health benefits
energycarbon-capturecarbon-removalclimate-changewaste-managementsustainabilityenvironmental-technologyMicrosoft is buying tons of carbon removal from Xprize startup Vaulted Deep
Microsoft is accelerating its efforts to meet its 2030 carbon-negative pledge by purchasing large volumes of carbon removal credits, including a recent deal to acquire 4.9 million metric tons of carbon removal from Vaulted Deep, a startup specializing in underground carbon sequestration. Vaulted Deep collects solid waste materials such as treated sewage, manure, and paper sludge, converts them into a slurry, and injects this mixture into porous underground rock formations using fracking-derived technology. This 12-year agreement, running through 2028, represents a significant step in Microsoft's strategy to offset its growing emissions, which have increased by nearly 25% since 2020 due to rapid data center expansion. Despite heavy investments in renewable energy, Microsoft faces challenges in eliminating emissions from essential operations like semiconductor manufacturing, which currently lack zero-greenhouse-gas alternatives. In 2024, the company reported 14.9 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, more than double its target for 2030. To bridge this
energycarbon-removalclimate-technologyrenewable-energycarbon-emissionsenvironmental-sustainabilitycarbon-captureClimeFi Carbon Removal Market Review Q2’25: Major Buyers & CDR Policies Take Shape - CleanTechnica
The global carbon dioxide removal (CDR) market experienced unprecedented growth in Q2 2025, with contracted volumes more than doubling from 13.5 to 29.2 million tonnes of CO₂. This surge was driven primarily by biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS), which accounted for 99% of the volumes, and market spending reached $3.9 billion. Corporate buyers, led by Microsoft with a 6.75 million tonne agreement, continued to dominate demand, alongside other major players like J.P. Morgan and TikTok. Despite a significant slowdown in verified credit issuance—down 86% this quarter—diversification in financing increased, with $182 million raised in equity and grants and $78 million awarded through XPRIZE. Key policy developments also shaped the market landscape. The EU’s near-final Green Claims Directive will restrict companies from claiming carbon neutrality based solely on offsets, requiring demonstrable direct emissions reductions and certified removals under the EU’s Carbon Removal Certification
energycarbon-removalclimate-policycarbon-marketsbiomass-carbon-removalnet-zero-targetssustainable-financeBiochar & Rock Dust: Unlocking The Future Of Climate-Smart Agriculture - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the growing interest in two nature-based technologies—Biochar Carbon Removal (BCR) and Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW)—as promising solutions to decarbonize food systems while delivering multiple agronomic and socio-economic benefits. A new report titled “Unlocking the Future of Climate-Smart Agriculture,” led by Tom Mills, provides a comprehensive analysis of how these technologies can be integrated into agricultural supply chains, particularly in the Global South. The report estimates that BCR and ERW could collectively remove between 1.5 and 2.5 gigatonnes of CO₂ annually by 2050, while also improving soil fertility, increasing crop yields, and enhancing farmer resilience against climate shocks. Although biochar is more mature and closer to widespread deployment than ERW, pilot projects are already underway in various regions, demonstrating practical applications across key agricultural value chains such as coffee, cocoa, rice, and sugarcane. Examples include regenerative coffee initiatives in Colombia using biochar and early
energyclimate-changecarbon-removalbiocharrock-dustagriculturesustainabilityClimeFi Structures First ITMO CDR Transfer Between Switzerland & Norway - CleanTechnica
The article reports the first-ever cross-border transfer of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, marking a significant milestone in the durable carbon removal (CDR) market. This transaction involves the transfer of verified CDR credits generated from biomass-based carbon removal with permanent geological storage in Norway to a coalition of Swiss corporate buyers. The deal was coordinated by ClimeFi and formalized during a signing ceremony in Norway on June 17, 2025. Unlike traditional carbon offsets, this transfer operates within a government-recognized bilateral framework, ensuring enhanced credibility, transparency, and international accountability. Swiss Environment Minister Albert Rösti emphasized the importance of CO2 storage technology in Switzerland’s path to net-zero emissions, highlighting the agreement’s role in fostering innovation and strengthening bilateral ties. ClimeFi’s CEO Paolo Piffaretti noted the initiative as a pioneering example of public-private partnership, demonstrating how sovereign oversight, commercial structuring, and private
energycarbon-removalclimate-changeParis-Agreementcarbon-storagesustainabilitydecarbonizationClimeFi Unlocks Access To XPRIZE Winners With New Carbon Removal Portfolio Offering - CleanTechnica
ClimeFi has launched a new carbon removal portfolio that grants corporate buyers, climate investors, and procurement managers streamlined access to a diversified selection of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. These technologies were vetted and recognized through the XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition, which evaluated over 1,300 global teams and awarded top prizes to breakthrough projects such as Mati Carbon’s Enhanced Rock Weathering, NetZero’s Biomass CDR and Storage, Vaulted Deep’s underground waste storage, and UNDO Carbon’s Enhanced Rock Weathering. Together, these projects represent promising, scalable pathways for permanent atmospheric CO₂ removal. The ClimeFi portfolio offers a simplified, efficient procurement process by providing a single point of access to multiple validated technologies, pre-negotiated contracts, and lower minimum purchase thresholds, aiming to deliver over 50,000 tonnes of carbon removal by 2030. This approach addresses the growing demand for credible, durable, and auditable carbon credits in the maturing voluntary carbon market, combining rigorous scientific validation with commercial readiness. The collaboration between ClimeFi and XPRIZE exemplifies how competitions and asset management platforms can work together to scale global carbon removal solutions by connecting capital with vetted, investable projects.
energycarbon-removalclimate-technologysustainabilitycarbon-captureclean-energyenvironmental-technologyAlt Carbon scores $12M seed to scale carbon removal in India
energycarbon-removalclimate-techsustainable-agricultureenhanced-rock-weatheringenvironmental-impactIndiaMarcel Huber On Expanding SYNCRAFT & The Future of Clean Energy - CleanTechnica
clean-energyrenewable-energycarbon-removalbiomass-conversiongreen-technologyclimate-positivedefossilizationLegion44 CDR Movie Continues To Gather Global Momentum - CleanTechnica
energycarbon-removalclimate-changeclean-technologysustainabilityenvironmental-awarenessinnovationClimeFi Launches Analyst Rating Coverage On Deep Sky’s Tech-Agnostic DAC Projects
energycarbon-removaldirect-air-capturesustainabilitytechnology-agnosticclimate-innovationCO₂-removalInterview With Carbon Removal India CEO Asitava Sen On Scaling CDR In India
energycarbon-removalclimate-changesustainable-agricultureagribusinessIndiaCDR