 | | | | Links to recent scientific papers, web posts, upcoming events, job opportunities, podcasts, and event recordings, etc. on Carbon Dioxide Removal TechnologyCarbon Removal Updates is a reader-supported publication. If you find my work valuable, consider supporting it with a paid subscription TABLE OF CONTENTSNote: Click on the headings listed in the table of contents above to easily navigate to the sections you're interested in. THIS WEEK’S TOP CDR HIGHLIGHTSCALL FOR CONSULATATIONS: The UK government has opened a public consultation on its proposed business models to generate funding for greenhouse gas removals technologies in general and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) projects in particular. This consultation closes on 09 June 2025. RESEARCH STUDY: A new 3-year study found that by combining crushed rock, compost, and biochar could remove 51.7 million tons of CO₂e/year—just by treating 8% of California’s rangelands. REPORT: A latest CDR.fyi report showed Q1 2025 was the slowest quarter since 2023, with 462K tonnes contracted. Top 5 deals made up 52% of volume. Biomass-based methods dominated deliveries (99%), with biochar leading. XPRIZE WINNERS: Xprize announced the winners of its $100M CDR competition. The grand prize of $50M went to Mati Carbon for enhanced rock weathering. Other awards included $15M to NetZero, $8M to Vaulted Deep, $5M to UNDO & $1M each to Planetary & Project Harar. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: The EU LIFE programme has launched a €28M funding call for Climate Change Mitigation projects, including CDR like enhanced rock weathering, biochar, small bioCCS, and ocean methods. Apply by 23 September. DEAL: Microsoft signed a five-year deal with biochar firm Carba to purchase 44,000 tons of carbon removal credits. PODCAST: Enric Prats-Salvado, from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and RWTH Aachen University, discusses the benefits and challenges of using the sun's heat for Direct Air Capture desorption on the Reviewer 2 does geoengineering podcast. The paper discussed is here. Read on to unpack more updates: COMMERCIAL NEWS Share RESEARCH PAPERSAuthors: Dalia Dranseike, Yifan Cui, Andrea S. Ling, Felix Donat, Stéphane Bernhard, Margherita Bernero, Akhil Areeckal et al.Synopsis: Researchers engineered a photosynthetic living material that sequesters CO₂ by combining biomass production with microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP). Photosynthetic microorganisms are immobilized in a printable polymer network, enabling long-term growth. Over 400 days, the material sequestered 26 ± 7 mg CO₂ per gram. This approach offers a scalable, low-maintenance method for carbon sequestration in infrastructure and CO₂ mitigation.
Authors: Tarrah Burke, Balz Samuel Kamber, David RowlingsSynopsis: Digital optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study incipient weathering in basaltic rock particles from two enhanced rock weathering sites in Eastern Australia and three natural basalt sites (New Zealand, Eastern Australia). Weathering increased soil pH by 1–1.5 units at ERW sites. After 14 months, basalt particles showed dissolution of glass and olivine but minimal secondary minerals. Specific surface area (SSA) increased by 33%. Natural basalt weathering was less pronounced, and tephra weathering depended on emplacement context. Overall, interconnected glass and fractures facilitated weathering, suggesting suitable conditions for ERW with coarse basalt amendments.
Authors: Tyler L. Anthony, Andrew R. Jones, Whendee L. SilverSynopsis: This study explores combining enhanced rock weathering (ERW) with compost and biochar amendments to stimulate carbon sequestration. Over three years, the combined amendments increased soil carbon stocks by 15.3 ± 4.8 Mg C ha−1, outperforming other treatments. Ground rock amendments reduced nitrous oxide emissions by 11.0 ± 0.6 kg CO2e ha−1 yr−1 and increased methane consumption. The combined amendment achieved the greatest net ecosystem benefit of −86.0 ± 24.7 Mg CO2e ha−1, primarily due to soil organic carbon gains, and enhanced weathering rates.
Authors: Dia Milani, Haftom Weldekidan, Wilson Gardner, Phillip Fawell, Robbie McDonald, Paul Feron, Michael Rae, Geoff Drewer, Graeme Puxty, Nouman Mirza, Phil GreenSynopsis: This study proposes a novel integration of concentrated solar power (CSP), accelerated mineral carbonation (AMC), and direct air capture (DAC) to reduce emissions and waste at a nickel mine. A closed-loop Rankine cycle delivers 10 MWe while locking 92.2 kt CO₂ annually in carbonates and cutting diesel use by 90%. The design could achieve zero power-related CO₂ emissions and offset 68.55 kt of non-power emissions, supporting net-zero targets for the mining sector by 2050.
Authors: Alexander SamsonovSynopsis: Current greenhouse gas accounting focuses on national emissions and biotic carbon sinks, but uncertainties limit its effectiveness. This review argues for emphasizing irreversible abiotic mechanisms, especially carbon removal via continental runoff. Ecosystems capture carbon reversibly, but runoff processes drive long-term sequestration. New estimates suggest runoff plays a much larger role in permanent carbon removal than previously recognized.
Authors: Suparit Tangparitkul, Thakheru Akamine, Romal Ramadhan, Vorasate Thanasaksukthawee, Chetsada Tapanya, Thanapol Tantisattayakul, Premrudee KanchanapiyaSynopsis: This study assesses CO₂ storage potential in Northern Thailand’s Lampang and Nong Bua Basins to support BECCS deployment. Simulations show a combined dynamic storage capacity of 29 Mtpa, with a BECCS cluster targeting 10 Mtpa. Stratigraphic heterogeneity improves containment, while costs are estimated at around 8 USD/tonne, aligning with global benchmarks. The results demonstrate the feasibility of scalable, cost-effective CO₂ sequestration to help meet Thailand’s decarbonization goals.
Authors: Keila R. Mendes, Pablo E.S. Oliveira, José Romualdo S. Lima, Magna S.B. Moura, Eduardo S. Souza et al.Synopsis: In this study eddy covariance measurements across five sites show Brazil’s Caatinga forest acts as an efficient carbon sink, with average Net Ecosystem Exchange of -775 g C m⁻² annually. Carbon use efficiency (0.31–0.58) exceeded that of many global dry forests and even the Amazon. CO₂ fluxes varied with rainfall patterns and vegetation cover, confirming the Caatinga’s major role in atmospheric CO₂ absorption and climate mitigation.
Authors: Ming Ge, Linjing Ren, Dan Yang, Xiuzhen Li, Ying Huang, Jianwu Tang, Hans BrixSynopsis: This study examined how Spartina invasion affects carbon fluxes in salt marshes across China and Denmark. Monthly observations showed that Spartina enhanced CO₂ sequestration and reduced CH₄ emissions compared to native Phragmites australis. Despite higher CO₂ fluxes in China, CH₄ emissions remained similar. Overall, Spartina improved the wetlands' radiative balance, suggesting climate mitigation potential. Results highlight the need for cross-regional studies on invasive species and carbon dynamics.
Authors: Paulina B. Ramírez, Francisco Calderón, Surendra Singh & Stephen MachadoSynopsis: This study assessed soil carbon sequestration in Eastern Oregon croplands by comparing conventional wheat-fallow systems to wheat-pea rotations under conventional and no-till management. Over nearly 60 years, wheat-pea rotations increased soil C by 0.16–0.25 t/ha annually, with no-till systems showing greater gains. The no-till rotation boosted C in mineral-associated organic matter by 60%, suggesting cereal-legume systems can enhance soil C stocks and offset agricultural CO₂ emissions.
Authors: Xiaomei Huo, Mengjie He, Jun Qiao, Jianguo Zhao, Bin YangSynopsis: Nano-carbon fertilizers were tested at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 20 ml/kg on poplar seedlings to explore their effects on growth and soil carbon sequestration. After 120 days, poplar growth increased by 53-173%, with significant boosts in organic carbon fractions, particularly with the NC-5 treatment. Nano-carbon also enhanced microbial communities, promoting carbon fixation and cycling genes. Structural equation modeling indicated that microbial processes directly influenced soil organic carbon accumulation and poplar biomass, offering insights into nano-carbon's role in the carbon cycle.
Authors: Badger, N., Mattice, D., Atwood, M., & Amini, S.Synopsis: This study presents a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) of formic acid (FA) synthesis from direct air captured CO2 using chemical plant waste heat. It examines a project combining a low-temperature DAC system with a FA production facility at a fertilizer plant, utilizing waste heat from nitric acid production. The results show that, when powered by renewable energy, this process achieves a net negative global warming potential of −0.806 kg CO2 eq. per kg FA, outperforming traditional FA production.
Authors: Kyoung Hee Kim, Matthew W. Parrow, Parham Kheirkhah SangdehSynopsis: This paper explores nature-based carbon removal strategies for buildings, focusing on microalgae-integrated enclosures for carbon sequestration. Microalgae, due to their high photosynthetic capacity and rapid growth, are integrated into photobioreactors within building structures to capture carbon, while also producing biomass for other uses. Testing with Chlorella and Chlorococcum showed daily yields of 175 mg/L-day and 80 mg/L-day, respectively. The study suggests that microalgae-based systems, coupled with net-zero energy buildings, can contribute to sustainable urban development and global warming mitigation.
Authors: M. S. Booth, J. GiuntoliSynopsis: The EU's reliance on wood biomass for energy, particularly in heating and electricity generation, is weakening its forest carbon sink, with some countries like Estonia and Finland losing their net forest sink. Despite predictions that biomass use would shrink the forest sink, EU policies treat biomass as carbon-neutral, inconsistent with IPCC guidance. Increasing BECCS may further harm forests. To restore the forest carbon sink and meet climate goals, policies should disqualify forest biomass from renewable energy targets, cut subsidies for wood-burning, and prioritize carbon sequestration and biodiversity in forest management.
Authors: Joshua LuczakThe article discusses Atmospheric Methane Removal (AMR) as a complementary solution to CDR in tackling climate change. While AMR offers benefits like lowering global temperatures and improving air quality, it raises concerns about side effects, equity, ethics, and governance. It warns that AMR could distract from mitigation efforts, create political risks, and disproportionately impact vulnerable populations. The article urges careful evaluation and responsible governance to ensure AMR's effectiveness and fairness in addressing climate change.
Authors: A. C. Eckland, I. Overeem, B. Carlson, K. B. LiningerSynopsis: This study explores sedimentation and organic carbon (OC) burial in Elephant Butte Reservoir, New Mexico, USA, which experiences monsoon-driven flash floods. It examines sedimentation and OC burial rates during both wet (1980–1988) and dry (2007–2017/2019) periods, alongside observations during severe drought (2021–2022). Results show that dryland reservoirs can act as efficient carbon sinks during drought, with higher OC burial rates in dry conditions (391 ± 43.6 g C/m²/yr) compared to wet periods (82.4 ± 56.4 g C/m²/yr).
WEB POSTSThe Rising Risk in Carbon Markets: Who’s Really Carrying It? (Climate Playbook) Climate PlaybookIn today’s evolving carbon market, one player is shouldering more and more risk: the project developer… 9 days ago · 19 likes · 2 comments · Andrea Maggiani Methane and Super Pollutants: A New Pillar to Support Carbon Markets (Climagination Substack) Climagination SubstackHello once more, and thank you for reading… 5 days ago · 3 likes · Jason Grillo REPORTSCarbon Removal Roadmap (The Central Government For the Netherlands)BOOKUPCOMING EVENTSEGU General Assembly 2025 | 27 April - 02 May 2025 | Vienna, Austria & OnlineDC Climate Week | 28 April – 02 May 2025 | Washington, D.C.LAC Soil Carbon 2025 | 25-28 June 2025 | Reo de Janeiro (Brazil)We have curated a “Carbon Removal Events Calendar.” Explore and stay informed about upcoming events, conferences, and webinars on Carbon Dioxide Removal technology. Sync specific events / all events to your default calendar to ensure you never miss out on important CDR updates. Carbon Removal Events Calendar GUIDELINES:Sync selected events to your default calendar in these simple steps:1) Click on the event you want to sync.2) Tap the menu icon (three vertical lines) at the top left.3) Choose 'Share.'4) Pick your default calendar.5) Save the event.Sync the entire Teamup Calendar to your default calendar with these simple steps:1) Tap the menu icon (three vertical lines) at the top right.2) Choose 'Preferences.'3) Click 'iCalendar Feeds.'4) Copy the URL shown for 'CDR Events / CDR General Guidelines / CDR Job Deadlines.'’5) Paste the URL into your default calendar settings.6) Click 'Subscribe' or 'Add Calendar.'
You can directly sync all Carbon Removal events to your default calendars by pressing the link below: Sync CDR Events to your Default Calendar JOB OPPORTUNITIES"UNDO is an enhanced rock weathering firm that has recently been named one of four global winners of the $100M XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition, further giving recognition and credibility to enhanced rock weathering (ERW) as a carbon removal pathway, and UNDO as a scientific world leader in this field."
"Planetary’s vision is to protect and restore the ocean and climate for generations to come. We do this by enhancing the ocean’s natural ability to fight climate change through carbon dioxide removal and storage."
"At Klim, we’re creating a joint movement with farmers and businesses to make regenerative agriculture scalable and impactful. As a Berlin-based AgriTech start-up, we’re empowering farmers to restore soil, boost biodiversity, and capture carbon—all while earning revenue through our platform."
"The UW Hydro-Biogeochemical Research Group in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering is hiring a researcher to assist in an enhance rock weathering (ERW) project. ERW is a promising carbon dioxide removal approach. The project is part of a larger collaboration between the University of Washington, University of Guelph, Yale University, and UNDO, an ERW start-up company. The UW team is focused on understanding belowground chemical reactions and transport of weathering products in deep soil."
"We are a startup from Nagoya University in the green and agri field, established in February 2020 with the mission of "Realizing a super-circulating society based on sustainable next-generation agriculture." TOWING develops and sells "Soratan" (*1), a high-performance biochar that retains microorganisms in biochar made by converting local resources into charcoal, with its patented unique soil microbial cultivation technology at its core."
"Ocean Visions is a science-based, not-for-profit conservation organization. We work with and across diverse sectors and disciplines to identify, co-design, evaluate, and support implementation of ocean-based solutions to counter and reverse climate impacts."
"Skytree enables a transition to a world with cleaner Air for everyone. We do this by developing and deploying smart technology that captures atmospheric carbon dioxide, enabling its use or storage to combat climate change and aid society and businesses around the world."
Brazil."
Looking for your dream job in CDR? There are 712 jobs available *right now*: check them all out at: CDRjobs Board PODCASTSSolar thermal DAC - Prats Salvado | Reviewer 2 does geoengineering | Solar thermal DAC - Prats Salvado Reviewer 2 does geoengineering 1:12:46 |
"Enrico Prats Salvado discusses the benefits and challenges of using the sun's heat for DAC desorb. Paper Prats-Salvado, E., Monnerie, N. & Sattler, C. Powering Direct Air Capture: Overview of Existing Concepts and the Overlooked Role of Concentrated Solar Thermal Technologies. Curr Sustainable Renewable Energy Rep 12, 8 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40518-025-00255-y"
"CDR can scale — if the funding's there," Leila Conners, film director | Carbonsations | "CDR can scale — if the funding's there," Leila Conners, film director Carbonsations 27:38 |
"Our guest for this episode is film director Leila Conners -- the person behind climate documentaries The 11th Hour and Ice on Fire. Leila talks about her involvement in climate and discusses the ins and outs of making her latest movie, Legion 44, which is dedicated solely to carbon dioxide removal (CDR)."
Scaling Removal of GHG to 10 Gigatons by 2050 | ESG Currents | Scaling Removal of GHG to 10 Gigatons by 2050 ESG Currents 39:12 |
"Reducing greenhouse-gas emissions remains the top priority in addressing climate change. However, it’s increasingly clear that these efforts must be complemented by greenhouse-gas removal. The extent needed is difficult to pin down, but a recent report, Scaling Technological Greenhouse Gas Removal: A Global Roadmap to 2050, by the Bezos Earth Fund and the Rocky Mountain Institute is anchored around the idea that we need to achieve 10 gigatons in annual technological extraction by 2050. Noel Bakhtian, director of Technology Acceleration and lead of the GHG Removal Initiative at the Bezos Earth Fund, and Rudy Kahsar, principal for Climate-Aligned Industries at the Rocky Mountain Institute, join BI director of ESG research Eric Kane on this episode of ESG Currents. They discuss the road map and many of the steps needed to achieve this massive increase in scale from less than 1 megaton of removals currently."
CO₂ — Waste or Commodity? | The CDR Policy Scoop | CO₂ — Waste or Commodity? The CDR Policy Scoop 27:00 |
Are we scrubbing the smokestacks and skies of a waste gas, or creating a valuable resource for a net-zero world?As carbon management technologies like CCS, CCU, DACCS, and BECCS advance, policymakers and markets are narrowing down on CO₂’s role.In this CDR Policy Scoop, we dive into:-What happens if we treat CO₂ only as waste?-What is the real potential for CO₂ to be commoditized?-How does this debate shape business models, public acceptance, and climate impact?
Share Carbon Removal Updates YOUTUBE VIDEOSHow to accelerate your customers | Tito - AirMiners "We're giving corporate sustainability leaders access to top notch education about carbon removal at our first in-person Buyers Academy. In partnership with Carbon Unbound and BMO, corporate sustainability leaders get access to the Carbon Unbound Conference in-person Buyers Academy for a total of $695, a 70% discount on the regular price."
Meet the Winners of the $100M XPRIZE Carbon Removal Competition to Tackle Climate Change | XPRIZE "XPRIZE Carbon Removal aimed to tackle the biggest threat facing humanity—fighting climate change and stabilizing the Earth’s climate. It took place over the course of four years, launching on Earth Day 2021 and concluding during Earth Week 2025.
The grand prize and runner-up winning teams, selected from 20 impressive Finalists across 11 countries, each successfully removed more than 1,000 net tonnes of CO2 in the final year of the competition, meeting XPRIZE’s bold demonstration requirements, the first step towards scaling sustainably to remove billions of tonnes globally.
Grand prize winner Mati Carbon demonstrated a highly durable approach to CDR, by applying finely crushed basalt over agricultural lands in India to accelerate a natural weathering process that permanently draws down atmospheric CO2. Beyond carbon removal, Mati Carbon’s process delivers significant benefits to smallholder farmers. Mati Carbon’s deployments bolster farmers’ livelihoods through improved soil health, reduced agricultural inputs, and increased income at zero cost to them. Mati Carbon’s team has developed a scientifically rigorous approach to monitoring and verification, and excelled across each of XPRIZE’s prize evaluation criteria—operational, sustainability, and cost metrics—giving the XPRIZE judges the highest confidence in Mati Carbon’s solution’s long-term scalability.
NetZero, a French biochar company operating in Brazil, earned recognition as first runner-up and $15M for a highly efficient circular model to source and process tropical crop residues, then returning the biochar to local farmers to improve crop yields and resilience. Vaulted Deep, a U.S.-based waste management company, earned recognition as second runner-up and $8M for permanently storing otherwise unusable organic waste deep underground. UNDO Carbon, an enhanced rock weathering solution operating in Scotland and Canada, earned recognition as third runner-up and $5M for accelerating the natural process of rock weathering to permanently remove atmospheric CO2 and boost soil health."
Beyond Trees: Public Bias in Carbon Removal Perceptions | Remove and Reflect Podcast "This podcast covers academic paper from a Nature Portfolio journal investigates the strong public preference for tree planting as a method of carbon removal compared to other techniques. Drawing on various public perception studies and focus groups conducted globally, the authors highlight that afforestation is seen as natural, familiar, and providing co-benefits, which can bias individuals against more engineered carbon removal methods. They argue that this bias could impede the development of a necessary diverse portfolio of carbon removal solutions and call for further research to understand and potentially counteract this effect for better climate action planning. The text emphasizes that despite efforts to present other options, trees consistently dominate the public's understanding of carbon dioxide removal."
Liability Considerations for Marine C02 Removal Projects in U.S. Waters | Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal "Join the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal for the next event in its webinar series, “Scrubbing the Skies: The Role of Carbon Dioxide Removal in Combating Climate Change.” The series focuses on scientific, technological, legal, political, and justice-focused issues associated with carbon dioxide removal, and is hosted by the Institute’s Co-Director Wil Burns.
Legal considerations will have a major bearing on whether, when, where, and how marine carbon dioxide removal (CDR) field research goes forward. Previous studies have analyzed the potential international and domestic legal framework applicable to such research and subsequent deployment (if that is ultimately deemed appropriate). However, relatively little research has analyzed the potential for this legal framework to impose liability on marine CDR project proponents (e.g., for environmental harms resulting from their activities). This presentation discusses a new Sabin Center Report report that begins to fill that gap with regard to projects in U.S. ocean waters. The report analyzes potential liability for marine CDR project proponents under U.S. federal statute, and federal and state tort law.
Application of statutory and tort liability to marine CDR project proponents is complex and uncertain. Further, the existing liability frameworks seek to restrict environmentally harmful activities, but do not promote potential environmental benefits. A different liability framework may better be able to balance these competing concerns. The Sabin Center report concludes by analyzing three existing environmental liability regimes used in other sectors that may serve as models for a new liability regime to govern marine CDR."
Tanay Naik Senior Project Presentation: Optimizing Carbon Dioxide Removal | Tanay Naik "Optimizing Carbon Dioxide Removal: Enhancing Direct Air Capture Through Sorbent Selection and Home Implementation."
Weekly Carbon Removal Updates from 21 April - 27 April 2025 | Carbon Removal Updates BulletinDEADLINES
Follow us on: Twitter | Bluesky | LinkedIn | YouTube | Substack | Podcast 1 | Podcast 2
Share Carbon Removal Updates Carbon Removal Updates is a reader-supported publication. If you find my work valuable, consider supporting it with a paid subscription © 2025 Carbon Removal Updates
548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104
Unsubscribe 
| |
  |
|
