Scalable carbon solutions: life cycle insights and public willingness to adopt direct air capture and utilization systems

[Geoengineering News]

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10018-026-00473-8

Authors: Alexander R. Keeley, Andrew J. Chapman, Sunbin Yoo, Kenichi Kurita, Junya Kumagai, Dyah Ika Rinawati, Tianhui Fan & Shunsuke Managi 

21 May 2026

Abstract

Reducing the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere to combat climate change is a global challenge. Direct air capture (DAC) incorporates a new set of technologies that directly remove CO2 from the air; therefore, DAC can address emissions from any source. This paper begins by reviewing the literature on negative emission technologies (NET) to summarize the most recent technological developments. Further, a life cycle assessment (LCA) on one of the most recently developed technologies, the direct air capture and utilization (DAC-U) system is undertaken. DAC-U systems, like photovoltaic systems, can be installed in various locations, including homes, offices, and industrial settings, resulting in a compact, on-site system that may be suitable for modular and distributed deployment. Based on the LCA results, this article presents the CO2 capture and reduction potential of the DAC-U system, with a focus on installations in households, and examines the willingness to adopt the system in Japan. Results demonstrate that DAC-U functions as a NET and, when deployed at the household scale, offers a non-trivial capture and reduction potential within the residential sector.

Source: Springer Nature Link