Chen et al. (2026): Sustainability analysis of basalt enhanced weathering in China under the carbon neutrality pathway
Xinyu Chen, Xuan Wang, Xiaoping Jia, Siqi Wang, Raymond R. Tan, Bohong Wang, Fang Wang, IN: Environmental Impact Assessment Review, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2026.108396
Enhanced weathering (EW) of basalt is a promising negative emission technology (NET) for carbon dioxide removal (CDR), yet its large-scale sustainability remains uncertain, particularly in energy-intensive economies like China. This work develops an environmentally extended input-output (EEIO) model to evaluate the economic and environmental impacts of basalt EW deployment under China’s carbon neutrality pathway. This framework integrates life-cycle emissions from mining, comminution, transportation, and cropland application, quantifying trade-offs between CDR potential and process-related carbon footprints.