CO₂-removal News

Peer-reviewed Publications

Nature – Moustakis et al. (2024): Temperature overshoot responses to ambitious forestation in an Earth System Model

Yiannis Moustakis, Tobias Nützel, Hao-Wei Wey, Wenkai Bao, Julia Pongratz IN: Nature Communications, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52508-x

Here, the authors develop an ambitious Afforestation/Reforestation scenario by harnessing 1259 Integrated Assessment Model scenarios, restoration potential maps, and biodiversity constraints, reaching 595 Mha by 2060 and 935 Mha by 2100. They then force the Max Planck Institute’s Earth System Model with this scenario which yields a reduction of peak temperature by 0.08°C, end-of-century temperature by 0.2°C, and overshoot duration by 13 years. Afforestation/ Reforestation in the range of country pledges globally could thus constitute a useful mitigation tool in overshoot scenarios in addition to fossil fuel emission reductions, but socio-ecological implications need to be scrutinized to avoid severe side effects.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Niron et al. (2024): Exploring the synergy of enhanced weathering and Bacillus subtilis: A promising strategy for sustainable agriculture

Harun Niron, Arthur Vienne, Patrick Frings, Reinaldy Poetra, Sara Vicca IN: Global Change Biology 30 (9), e17511, https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.17511

Among CDR technologies, enhanced silicate weathering (ESW) has been suggested as a promising option. While ESW has been demonstrated to depend strongly on pH, water, and temperature, recent studies suggest that biota may accelerate mineral weathering rates. Bacillus subtilis is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium that can facilitate weathering to obtain mineral nutrients. It is a promising agricultural biofertilizer, as it helps plants acquire nutrients and protects them from environmental stresses. Given that croplands are optimal implementation fields for ESW, any synergy between ESW and B. subtilis can hold great potential for further practice. B. subtilis was reported to enhance weathering under laboratory conditions, but there is a lack of data for soil applications. In a soil-mesocosm experiment, the authors examined the effect of B. subtilis on basalt weathering.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Nature – Frank et al. (2024): Enhanced agricultural carbon sinks provide benefits for farmers and the climate

Stefan Frank, Andrey Lessa Derci Augustynczik, Petr Havlík, Esther Boere, Tatiana Ermolieva, Oliver Fricko, Fulvio Di Fulvio, Mykola Gusti,
Tamas Krisztin, Pekka Lauri, Amanda Palazzo, Michael Wögerer IN: Nature Food 5, 742-753, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-024-01039-1

Carbon sequestration on agricultural land, albeit long-time neglected, offers substantial mitigation potential. Here the authors project, using an economic land-use model, that these options offer cumulative mitigation potentials comparable to afforestation by 2050 at 160 USD2022 tCO2 equivalent (tCO2e−1), with most of it located in the Global South.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Nordahl et al. (2024): Carbon accounting for carbon dioxide removal

Sarah L. Nordahl, Rebecca J. Hanes, Kimberley K. Mayfield, Corey Myers, Sarah E. Baker, Corinne D. Scown IN: One Earth 7 (9), 1494-1500, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2024.08.012

Despite a rapid growth in CDR purchases, no single standardized methodology for evaluating project-level net CO2 removal exists. Life cycle assessment (LCA) frequently produces net-negative emissions footprints, but only a small subset of those systems achieves a net flux of CO2 out of the atmosphere. In contrast to LCA, CDR accounting uses expansive system boundaries and excludes avoidance credits to distinguish between systems that achieve net removal from those that only contribute to emissions mitigation. This primer discusses a framework and set of metrics for CDR accounting.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Rezo et al. (2024): A method for siting adsorption-based direct air carbon capture and storage plants for maximum CO2 removal

D. Rezo, P. Postweiler, M. Engelpracht, L. Meuleneers, N. von der Aßen IN: Carbon Neutrality, https://doi.org/10.1007/s43979-024-00100-z

To assess DACCS performance holistically, a detailed global analysis is needed that accounts for the interplay of regional ambient conditions, energy supply, and CO2 storage potential. Hence, the authors present a novel method for the optimal siting of DACCS plants derived from optimising a dynamic process model that uses global hourly weather data and regionalised data on electricity supply and CO2 storage potential. The carbon removal rate (CRR) measures the climate benefit and describes the speed at which a DACCS plant generates net negative emissions.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Radfarnia et al. (2024): Accelerated CO2 Mineralization of Acid Mine Drainage Assisted by an Ultrasound Technique: An Experimental Parametric Study

Hamid Radfarnia, Katrin Staneva, Kourosh Zanganeh, Seyedeh Laleh Dashtban Kenari, Sanaz Mosadeghsedghi, Konstantin Volchek IN: Environmental and Carbon Dioxide Issues, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.4c03012

This work presents an experimental study on the CO2 mineralization of AMD solutions with a simulated flue gas stream and its acceleration by ultrasound intensification. Two test methods are investigated: one involving the CO2 mineralization of previously demetallized AMD, and the other focusing on the one-pot demetallization of raw AMD and its CO2 mineralization. Furthermore, additional experiments are conducted by incorporating ultrasound intensification to accelerate the carbonation reactions. The effect of the temperature on the process is also investigated. The ultrasound-assisted experiments result in a higher CO2 sequestration capacity and Mg removal efficiency than those without ultrasound, indicating the corresponding process intensification and the enhancement effect of ultrasound on carbonation reactions and greater conversion. 

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Schenuit et al. (2024): Five principles for robust carbon dioxide removal policy in the G7

Felix Schenuit, Oliver Geden, Glen P. Peters IN: One Earth, 7, 9, DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2024.08.015

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) policy is evolving rapidly but remains fragmented. Upcoming initiatives by the G7 members, which face expectations to be frontrunners in CDR deployment, should follow five principles for robust policies. This will be critical to prepare for distributional conflicts associated with achieving net-zero and net-negative emissions, both domestically and internationally.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Dooley et al. (2024): Understanding land-based carbon dioxide removal in the context of the Rio Conventions

Kate Dooley, Setu Pelz, Alexander Norton IN: One Earth, 7, 9, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2024.08.009

This paper introduces a framework for evaluating trade-offs in land-based CDR activities following the recent United Nations Environment Assembly definition of NBS. This framework emphasizes ecosystem integrity, human rights, and sustainable development, aligning with the objectives of the three Rio Conventions, which provide a guardrail to inform pathways toward feasible and equitable implementation. By applying this framework, the authors provide a more comprehensive understanding of the environmental and social constraints on CDR, ensuring that climate mitigation efforts do not compromise biodiversity, ecosystem services, or human well-being.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Migo-Sumagang et al. (2024): P-graph and Monte Carlo simulation approach for sustainable and risk-managed CDR portfolios

Maria Victoria Migo-Sumagang, Kathleen B. Aviso, John Frederick D. Tapia, Raymond R. Tan IN: Energy, 310, 133228, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.133228

This study proposes a two-step approach to optimize and check the robustness of NET portfolios, particularly for industrial-scale applications where resource availability fluctuates due to variations in energy, water, and fertilizer supply. The first step involves the process graph (P-graph) framework to generate optimal and near-optimal solution structures at minimum cost. The second step measures the probability of failure of these solutions against resource availability variations through Monte Carlo simulation. By comparing the cost and probability of failure, decision-makers can select a recommended solution that strikes a balance between robustness and cost. The proposed approach is demonstrated in two case studies involving NET portfolios.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Lyons et al. (2024): Legitimate Scientific Research: Objective Scientific Assessment of Marine Geoengineering Activities under the London Convention and London Protocol

Youna LBL Lyons, David Santillo, Federica Catonini IN: The International Journal of Marine and Costal Law, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10196

This article considers the scientific, measured, transparent, and robust approach taken by the joint-meetings of the Governing Bodies of the 1972 London Convention and the 1996 London Protocol and the regulatory framework they are developing in response, with a particular focus on the regulation and guidelines for legitimate scientific research for marine geoengineering activities. It unpacks key attributes of the research assessment framework, particularly its acknowledging and accounting for scientific gaps and uncertainties, as well as its informed application of the precautionary approach.

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