Carbon Removal Roundup - Enhanced rock weathering, biochar credits, Canada funds carbon capture
Testing different soils & rocks for enhanced weathering; Canada funds carbon capture tech; UK's Land Use Framework; Ecuador's first OMEC; Zurich Insurance biochar credits deal
Insights from the World’s Largest Enhanced Weathering Experiment
(January 29)
Carbon Drawdown Initiative in Germany conducted the world’s largest greenhouse Enhanced Weathering (EW) experiment, measuring carbon dioxide removal (CDR) across various soil-rock combinations over 4 years. The experiments - including 17 different agricultural soils and more than 40 soil-rock combinations - measured increase in the alkalinity of the leachate (CO2 is absorbed by the rocks forming bicarbonate ions on interaction with water, and these bicarbonates accumulate increased the pH). Based on this increase in alkalinity as a successful measure of CO2 removal, they found that many soil-rock combinations were not useful for CDR.
Our dataset, built from 6,500 water samples, 4,500 manual titrations, and 2,000 ICP-MS runs, revealed a striking conclusion: not all soil-rock combinations lead to meaningful alkalinity-based CDR effects within relevant timeframes. In fact, more than half of our tested variations failed to show a statistically significant increase in alkalinity-based carbon removal over two years, a critical window for scaling EW as a viable climate solution.
Although many combinations did not yield significant CDR effects, steel slag was identified as an effective amendment, achieving rates of up to 2.8 tCOâ‚‚ per hectare per year. More in their whitepaper (PDF).
The researchers have emphasized the need for machine learning models to predict effective soil-rock pairings for CDR applications.
Canada funds Carbon Capture in Alberta
(January 29)
The Government of Canada has announced a total investment of approximately $13.4 million to support Alberta-based carbon capture technologies aimed at reducing pollution and fostering job creation. Funds are allocated as follows:
$2.5 million to InnoTech Alberta Inc. for studying amine capture systems;
$4.7 million to Ionada Canada for demonstrating carbon capture and sequestration;
$4.3 million to the University of Calgary for three research projects;
and $1.89 million to the University of Alberta for two projects.
This investment is part of Canada's commitment to pushing innovative technologies that contribute to a sustainable future.
Northern Trust Develops Capability to Create Digital Voluntary Carbon Credits in Near Real-Time
(January 30)
US-based investment and wealth management firm, Northern Trust, has developed a capability to create digital voluntary carbon credits in near real-time through The Northern Trust Carbon Ecosystem. While this was first announced in September 2024, the company has been working with carbon project developers to streamline the verification process for Voluntary Carbon Markets by automating data collection and recording verified carbon credits. In these collaborations
the Northern Trust Carbon Ecosystem was able to receive data and record verified carbon credits in near real-time from participating providers, with the associated data attributes captured and stored on individual credits for accuracy and transparency. These data attributes encompass precise measurements including carbon dioxide capture flow rates, power consumed to capture the carbon dioxide and parameters critical for robust verification and traceability such as when and where the carbon was captured.
Northern Trust is partnering with Mangrove Systems for digital Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (dMV) for the system, and with InceptionX, which uses IoT devices, ML, and real-time data collection to monitor and measure carbon removal.
Zurich Insurance Biochar credits deal with Nellie
Zurich Insurance has entered into a multi-year agreement to purchase biochar-based carbon credits from Nellie Technologies.
Ecuador's First OECM: A Conservation Milestone
(January 29)
Ecuador's Ministry of Environment and Ecological Transition recognized the RÃo Anzu Reserve as its first OECM (Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measure), managed by EcoMinga Foundation. This designation supports biodiversity conservation, scientific research, and water resource management, enhancing ecological connectivity within the Llanganates-Sangay Ecological Corridor.
UK Government launches Land Use Framework for climate resilience
(January 31)
The UK government has launched a consultation on a new strategic approach to land use in England, aimed at enhancing food security, managing resources amid climatic changes, and driving economic growth. The initiative will foster collaboration among farmers, landowners, and nature groups to develop a Land Use Framework that prioritizes renewable energy and sustainable land practices while building 1.5 million new homes.
Gigablue selects Puro.earth as its trusted certification standard to verify its carbon removal solution
(January 30)
New York-based Gigablue has partnered with Puro.earth to certify its marine carbon fixation and sequestration technology under the Puro Standard. This collaboration aims to enhance carbon removal verification and aligns with Gigablue's goal to remove a gigaton of CO2 by 2035. The initiative supports high-quality carbon removal standards in the voluntary carbon market.
Carbon Pricing Proposal Set to Strengthen the Business Case for Wind Propulsion
(January 29)
On January 9, the International Chamber of Shipping, along with 47 governments, submitted a proposal to the IMO aimed at accelerating the adoption of wind propulsion technologies in global shipping. The proposal includes a greenhouse gas emissions pricing mechanism encouraging the use of emissions-reduction technologies like Rotor Sails, which could result in significant financial savings across the industry.
Our analysis shows that if Anemoi Rotor Sails were installed on every suitable vessel in the world’s fleet, the savings per year would be 17 million tonnes of fuel and 56 million tonnes of carbon. Under the proposed pricing mechanism, which suggests rates of USD 18.75, USD 100, or USD 150 per tonne of CO2e, these carbon reductions could translate to annual industry-wide savings of:
USD 1.05 billion at the lowest proposed rate (USD 18.75/tonne)
USD 5.6 billion at the medium proposed rate (USD 100/tonne)
USD 8.4 billion at the highest proposed rate (USD 150/tonne)
Prince Edward Island launches initiatives for livestock sector growth
(January 30)
Canada announced a suite of initiatives supporting the cattle and livestock sectors in Prince Edward Island (PEI). The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is introducing the Grow the Herd Pilot Program, which includes funding streams for heifer or cow retention and a certified beef brand incentive. This initiative is part of a 5-year, $3.5-billion investment designed to enhance the competitiveness and resiliency of Canada's agriculture sector.
Parks Canada contributes $1.3 million for ecological corridors
(January 30)
The Government of Canada has committed over $1.3 million to support ecological corridor projects in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. These projects aim to improve ecological connectivity and conserve 300 acres of land with cooperation from Birds Canada and the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute. This funding is part of a broader initiative to achieve the conservation of 30% of land and inland waters by 2030 and to halt biodiversity loss by 2030.
Estimates of quarterly greenhouse gas emissions in the UK
(January 30)
The UK has released experimental estimates of quarterly greenhouse gas emissions using the Chow-Lin regression-based temporal disaggregation method. This report covers emissions on a residence basis for the period of July to September 2024, indicating a significant step forward in understanding the nation's carbon footprint.
UK Office for National Statistics
Avista Foundation Awards Grants for Environmental Initiatives
(January 30)
The Avista Foundation awarded $54,650 to 21 non-profit organizations focused on environmental initiatives in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Alaska. In total, they distributed $563,285 to 125 organizations in 2024. The funding supports a range of environmental efforts, including wetland restoration by the Klamath Watershed Partnership and arts programs that also highlight environmental themes.
Orange County's Smart Landfills Reducing Methane Emissions
(January 30)
Orange County, California has implemented a new composting program that has diverted over 64,000 tons of organic waste from landfills and eliminated 12,400 tons of CO2e. The Smart Landfill Program utilizes real-time data assessment, drones, and robotic dogs to monitor and enhance landfill gas collection, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 15 percent. The region has also developed plans to process landfill gas into biomethane for local energy use and is exploring solar energy projects at closed landfills.
Czechia calls for CBAM changes to cut admin burdens
(January 29)
Czechia is pushing for a detailed evaluation of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) as part of a review of the legislation due to take place before the end of 2025. This call aims to reduce administrative burdens associated with the implementation of this mechanism, reflecting Czechia's commitment to improving operational efficiency within the EU's carbon regulation framework.
European Roundtable on Climate Change and Sustainable Transition (ERCST)
Impact of EU CBAM on Northern Ireland's Economy
(January 29)
UK-based Energy UK highlighted the potential economic impact of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on Northern Ireland. The report suggests linking the UK and EU Emissions Trading Systems to avoid costs, including £200 million annually in trade payments and higher energy bills. Over 1,100 jobs are at risk.
Efficiency and energy requirements of engineered CDR technologies
(January 29)
Global assessment of engineered carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies was conducted by Graphyte's CEO and CTO along with key researchers. They found that biomass-based CDR approaches generally demonstrate higher carbon removal efficiency compared to direct air capture (DAC) and enhanced rock weathering (ERW), despite the variation in conversion processes. The analysis highlighted the importance of lifecycle emissions and energy requirements for effective CDR implementation.
MIT Study on Carbon Dioxide Removal Strategies
(January 29)
A new study by researchers at the MIT Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy (CS3) expands carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategies to include biochar and enhanced weathering, assessing their potential to achieve the 1.5 C global warming goal. The study emphasizes diversifying CDR portfolios for effective net-zero emissions strategies, showing a potential deployment of up to 31.5 gigatons of CO2 per year by 2100. Researchers found that the ideal CDR options vary by region, urging policymakers to consider local conditions for effective implementation.
Join The 2025 Edition Of The Global Direct Air Capture Conference In New York
(January 29)
The Global Direct Air Capture Conference will take place on March 17-18, 2025, in New York. Organized by the Direct Air Capture Coalition, Breakthrough Energy, Good Energy Collective, and RMI, the event gathers stakeholders to share ideas and innovations in direct air capture technologies. Discussions will focus on strategies and collaborations for advancing the sector, which aims to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
Water Industry National Environment Programme aims for biodiversity and water quality
(January 29)
England’s Environment Agency has published the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP), detailing more than 20,000 actions water companies must complete by 2030 to meet environmental obligations. This programme represents a £22.1bn investment in restoring ecosystems vital for clean air, water, and healthy soils. Notably, WINEP allocates £3bn for Nature-based Solutions to promote climate action and economic benefits. Projects include removing a weir in Dartmoor to benefit biodiversity and securing 37 improvement schemes in Dorset.
UK Government | Natural England
New office building AWN binds CO2 with Climate Concrete
(January 30)
Germany-based CarStorCon® Technologies has introduced the use of Climate Concrete in the new office building AWN. This innovative material has permanently bound 0.186 tons of CO2 by creating an exposed concrete wall. Future projects include construction of concrete lego cubes for the outdoor area and seating furniture made of Climate Concrete, demonstrating a continuous commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
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