CO₂-removal News

Peer-reviewed Publications

Buffi et al. (2024): Energy and GHG emissions assessment for biochar-enhanced advanced biofuels value chains

M. Buffi, O. Hurtig, M. Prussi, N. Scarlat, D. Chiaramonti IN: Energy Conversion and Management, 309, 118450, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2024.118450

The present study proposes an innovative approach, where carbon sequestration through biochar is obtained through the integration of slow pyrolysis with fast pyrolysis in decentralised biorefining systems, and then converted producing drop-in fuels from pyrolysis oil hydrotreating or gasification and Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. The scope is either to achieve negative GHG emissions assigned to advanced biofuels, or to export the generated carbon credit for the carbon markets (i.e. outside the biofuels carbon intensity). The innovative concept entails process integration and optimisation for the different stages of biomass drying, conversion and upgrading into biofuels in a way to reduce fossil-based inputs, applying a full value chain approach. Methodological choices for the assumptions on life cycle emissions calculation are discussed, evaluating the environmental performances by comparing the new concept to traditional biofuels value chains. Using a tailored lifecycle accounting methodology, this paper demonstrates that high GHG emissions savings can be achieved. 

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Reports

Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) 2024-2044: Technologies, Players, Carbon Credit Markets, and Forecasts

Eve Pope, ITTechEx Research, April 2024

This report provides a comprehensive outlook of the emerging CDR industry and carbon credit markets, with an in-depth analysis of the technological, economic, regulatory, and environmental aspects that are shaping this market. In it, IDTechEx focuses on technologies that actively draw CO₂ from the atmosphere and sequester it into carbon sinks, namely: Direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS), Biomass with carbon removal and storage (BiCRS) including approaches such as BECCS (bioenergy with carbon capture and storage), biochar, biomass burial, and bio-oil underground injection, Land-based CDR methods, i.e. afforestation and reforestation and soil carbon sequestration techniques, Mineralization NETs that enhance natural mineral processes and Ocean-based CDR methods.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Li et al. (2024): Carbon removal, sequestration and release by mariculture in an important aquaculture area, China

Wei Li, Xu Li, Chi Song, Guang Gao IN: Science of The Total Environment 927, 172272, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172272

In this paper, carbon removal, release and sequestration by maricultured seaweeds, shellfish and fish in Shandong Province during 2003–2022 were assessed using a comprehensive method that considers the processes of biological metabolism, seawater chemistry and carbon footprint.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

López et al. (2024): Indoor CO2 direct air capture and utilization: Key strategies towards carbon neutrality

L.R. López, P. Dessì, A. Cabrera-Codony, L. Rocha-Melogno, N.J.R. Kraakman, M.D. Balaguer, S. Puig IN: Cleaner Engineering and Technology 20, 100746, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2024.100746

One application of DAC is indoor CO2 direct air capture (iCO2-DAC). A wide range of materials with unique properties for CO2 capture have been investigated, including porous materials, zeolites, and metal-organic frameworks. This review article highlights the importance of iCO2-DAC to improve indoor air quality in buildings and boost the circular economy. It discusses the available carbon capture technologies and materials, discussing their properties and focusing on those potentially applicable to indoor environments.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Salekin et al. (2024): Carbon sequestration potential of plantation forests in New Zealand – no single tree species is universally best

Serajis Salekin, Yvette L. Dickinson, Mark Bloomberg, Dean F. Meason IN: Carbon Balance and Management 19, 11, https://doi.org/10.1186/s13021-024-00257-1

Plantation forests are a nature-based solution to sequester atmospheric carbon and, therefore, mitigate anthropogenic climate change. The choice of tree species for afforestation is subject to debate within New Zealand. Two key issues are whether to use (1) exotic plantation species versus indigenous forest species and (2) fast growing short-rotation species versus slower growing species. In addition, there is a lack of scientific knowledge about the carbon sequestration capabilities of different plantation tree species, which hinders the choice of species for optimal carbon sequestration. This paper contributes to this discussion by simulating carbon sequestration of five plantation forest species, Pinus radiata, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Eucalyptus fastigata, Sequoia sempervirens and Podocarpus totara, across three sites and two silvicultural regimes by using the 3-PG an ecophysiological model.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Günther et al. (2024): Carbon farming, overestimated negative emissions and the limits to emissions trading in land-use governance: the EU carbon removal certification proposal

Philipp Günther, Beatrice Garske, Katharine Heyl, Felix Ekardt IN: Environmental Sciences Europe 36, 72, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-024-00892-y

This article conducts a qualitative governance analysis of the European Commission’s 2022 proposal for a certification framework for carbon removals (CRCF). It highlights potential challenges and legal implications—with a specific focus on carbon farming.

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Scientific Theses

Master’s thesis: Social Marginal Abatement Cost of Negative Emissions: Incorporating Externalities into the Private Costs of Carbon Dioxide Removal

Anna Havukainen, University of Helsinki, http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:hulib-202404091663

The objective of this thesis was to identify the Negative Emission Technologies and Practices (NETPs) that yield the lowest social costs, thereby providing insights into which NETPs should be prioritized for investments in CDR. This evaluation was conducted by developing a Social Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (SMACC) framework, to examine the potentials and social costs of various NETPs. 

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Mwaura et al. (2024): Do smallholders have a role to play in atmospheric greenhouse gas removal? Insights from western Kenya

Francis M. Mwaura, Margaret W. Ngigi, Gideon Obare IN: Scientific African 24, e02206, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02206

Despite consensus by the international community on the need for setting targets for reducing emissions or enhancing removal of greenhouse gases, comprehensive strategies for enumerating smallholders’ roles are yet to be designed and tested. Moreover, although smallholders’ role as net greenhouse gas removers has been speculated, evidence of this fact is necessary. A survey of 380 smallholders involved in maize-farming system in four sub-counties of western Kenya representing heterogeneity in agro-ecological zones and postulated biomass cooking energy access and demand was undertaken. 

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Suhrhoff et al. (2024): A tool for assessing the sensitivity of soil-based approaches for quantifying enhanced weathering: a US case study

Tim Jesper Suhrhoff, Tom Reershemius, Jiuyuan Wang, Jacob S. Jordan, Christopher T. Reinhard, Noah J. Planavsky IN: Frontiers in Climate, https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2024.1346117

Enhanced weathering (EW) of silicate rocks spread onto managed lands as agricultural amendments is a promising carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approach. However, there is an obvious need for the development of tools for Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) before EW can be brought to scale. Shifts in the concentration of mobile elements measured in the solid phase of soils after application of EW feedstocks can potentially be used to track weathering and provide an estimate of the initial carbon dioxide removal of the system. To measure feedstock dissolution accurately it is necessary to control for the amount of feedstock originally present in the sample being analyzed. This can be achieved by measuring the concentration of immobile detrital elements in soil samples after feedstock addition. 

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