 | | | | Links to recent scientific papers, web posts, upcoming events, job opportunities, podcasts, and event recordings, etc. on Carbon Dioxide Removal TechnologySubscribe to stay informed on carbon dioxide removal tech and support our independent reporting through a paid subscription.Donate < $10 Get 20% off a group 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 UPDATESResearch Paper: A new study finds microplastics may weaken the ocean’s carbon sink by disrupting phytoplankton and zooplankton that drive the biological carbon pump, reducing CO₂ absorption and even releasing greenhouse gases as plastics degrade. CDR Deal: Salesforce has purchased 12,492 tonnes of CDR from 19 suppliers across 15 countries, covering six removal methods, through pre-purchase agreements facilitated by Milkywire. Report: Between 2021 and 2025, $3.6 billion was invested in carbon removal, with 61% directed to DACCS, followed by 15% to BiCRS. Yet BiCRS delivered over 95% of actual CO₂ removed, while DACCS accounted for under 0.1%, CDR.fyi reported. Global Carbon Credit Market: BeZero Carbon found high-quality credits (A+) doubled from 10% in 2022 to 23% in 2025, while low-rated credits (C/D) fell from 31% to 17%, showing a shift toward premium carbon offsets. Call for Applications: The fourth CEEZER Carbon Coalition Accelerator Program is now open for applications, supporting nature-based CO₂ removal, with submissions accepted until 6 February 2026. UK’s Department for Energy Security & Net Zero Selected Projects: The UK government has released the final reports from Phase Two of its Direct Air Capture and Greenhouse Gas Removal Innovation Programme, providing a detailed look at how a broad set of carbon removal technologies are performing outside the lab. Resource: Greentown Labs, together with Shell Catalysts & Technologies and Technip Energies, has launched Go Make 2026 - a global innovation program supporting startups working on low-carbon fuels, CDR, low-carbon gases, and alternative chemicals. Read on to unpack more updates: COMMERCIAL NEWS Share RESEARCH PAPERSAuthors: Zheng Li, Chunyang Zuo, Duhang Yi, Minjuan He & Zhan ShuSynopsis: This study evaluates life cycle carbon emissions of steel, reinforced concrete, and timber buildings, including the decoration stage. Using LCA and a new piece-wise linear model, results show timber buildings reduce production and construction emissions by 30–50% and full life cycle emissions by ~15% compared to steel and concrete. Findings highlight timber’s potential for low-carbon building strategies and provide tools for more accurate emissions accounting across building types.
Authors: Zihui Zhou, Tianqiong Ma, Heyang Zhang, Neda S. Sabeva & Omar M. YaghiSynopsis: This study presents COF-1000, a covalent organic framework with fast kinetics and high CO₂ uptake for direct air capture. Under dry conditions, it reaches half-capacity in 8.1 min (1.31 mmol g⁻¹), while humid conditions (75% RH) boost uptake to 2.19 mmol g⁻¹ and reduce half-capacity to 6.8 min. Outdoor cycling achieved 22.1 mmol g⁻¹ d⁻¹ over 50 cycles, outperforming current materials, demonstrating COF-1000’s promise for efficient, scalable carbon removal.
Authors: Jelle Bijma, Mathilde Hagens, Jens S. Hammes, Noah Planavsky, et al.Synopsis: This study evaluates MRV strategies for Enhanced Weathering (EW), highlighting limitations of traditional carbon-based approaches in open systems like arable land. It proposes total alkalinity (TA) as a central metric but emphasizes charge balance tracking and cation accounting for accurate system-level monitoring. The work discusses basalt weathering, soil cation dynamics, and analytical challenges, outlining open research questions to improve EW carbon accounting and verification in terrestrial environments.
Authors: E Tiwary, M Jürchott and A OschliesSynopsis: This study models large-scale “acid downwelling” (AD) as a marine CO₂ removal method, splitting surface water into an alkaline fraction for CO₂ uptake and an acidic fraction pumped to the deep ocean. Simulations show a maximum mCDR of 320 Pg C by 2100 under RCP 4.5. However, downwelled acidity resurfaces, especially in the Southern Ocean, causing CO₂ outgassing, and intense downwelling warms the ocean interior, accelerating acid re-emergence. Results highlight that ocean circulation, timescale, and emission scenarios critically shape AD’s effectiveness.
Authors: Guanyu Dong, Fei Jiang, Yongguang Zhang, Weimin Ju, Shilong Piao, et al.Synopsis: This study examines Canada’s boreal forest carbon uptake during 2023, the hottest year on record with extreme drought and wildfires. Combining satellite CO₂ flux inversions and in situ observations, results show net carbon uptake increased by 0.28 ± 0.23 PgC, offsetting 38–48% of wildfire emissions, primarily due to reduced ecosystem respiration from soil moisture deficits. Most vegetation models failed to capture these responses, highlighting the need to improve climate-vegetation modeling.
Authors: Mengyu Zhang, Honglin He, Martin Brandt, et al.Synopsis: This study quantifies the effects of land-use change and ecosystem management on China’s net ecosystem productivity (NEP) from 2001–2021. NEP averaged 327 Tg C/yr and increased by 16.1 Tg C/yr², driven mainly by forest management - forest tending and mountain forest restoration - whose total impact was 4.14× greater than afforestation. Forest management was also far more cost-effective, highlighting its key role in enhancing carbon sinks and informing global net-zero strategies.
Authors: Nabeel Liaqat & Xiong Bill YuSynopsis: This study demonstrates that carbonic anhydrase significantly enhances CO₂ uptake and retention in hydrated lime, Portland cement, fly ash, and slag under ambient conditions. Enzyme addition increased CO₂ capture by 71–89%, with near-complete retention in several cases, and retained 87.9% activity over four cycles. The enzyme accelerates surface hydration, promoting carbonate precipitation, offering a scalable approach for enzyme-assisted mineralization in construction materials to reduce process emissions.
Authors: Rachel Tamburini Gomes, A. WalterSynopsis: This study evaluates cost-effective BECCS deployment in Brazil’s ethanol sector using a GIS-based multi-criteria framework and TOPSIS analysis. Results identify central and northern São Paulo as optimal regions, enabling up to 40% annual emissions reduction and 290 MtCO₂ storage by 2050. Transport and storage costs vary widely, showing distance is not the sole driver of feasibility. Some projects are already viable under current carbon prices, while others require policy support.
Authors: Laura Steinwidder, Lucilla Boito, Anthony de Schutter, Patrick J. Frings, Nina Miladinović, Harun Niron, Jet Rijnders, et al.Synopsis: This 15-month mesocosm study combined enhanced weathering and mineral carbonation using pre-carbonated steel slags and basalt on maize-planted soil. Results show inorganic CO₂ removal remained low (<0.014 t CO₂/t rock), increasing only with highly carbonated slags. Rapid weathering led to base cation immobilization in secondary minerals, limiting CO₂ uptake. Findings highlight that assessing all soil pools, not just carbonates, is essential to evaluate the true potential of enhanced weathering.
Authors: Mojtaba Fakhraee & Noah J. PlanavskySynopsis: This study uses a sediment diagenetic model to show that seaweed aquaculture enhances sedimentary alkalinity, contributing to long-term CO₂ sequestration. Simulations estimate ~0.85 t CO₂ removal per hectare per year (0.1–2 t range). This overlooked ocean-based CDR mechanism could be monetized through carbon markets or policy incentives, supporting both the economic viability and climate mitigation potential of seaweed farming.
Authors: Chunfeng Li, Shuai Deng, Xiangkun Elvis Cao, Shuangjun LiSynopsis: This review presents a three-tiered framework analyzing DAC challenges and opportunities. High energy demand and thermodynamic limits constrain CO₂ removal efficiency, while deployment requires a mix of centralized hubs and distributed units. Integrating DAC with clean energy, CO₂ storage, and utilization offers advantages over BECCS, highlighting its potential as a sustainable negative emission solution and guiding research, investment, and policy priorities.
Authors: Ying Zhu, Hui Jia, Jibao Liu, Fei Gao, Yue Wang, Xu Zhu, Jiangfang Yu, Jie WangSynopsis: This study introduces a light-carbon double transfer membrane (LCTM) to overcome light attenuation and CO₂ supply limits in microalgal cultivation. The membrane achieves 89% light transmittance and 1867 GPU CO₂ permeation, boosting biomass by 80.8% and CO₂ fixation rates by 50% under 12% CO₂ aeration. A 120-day test confirmed stability. LCTM offers an innovative, scalable approach to enhance microalgal carbon sequestration for sustainable CO₂ removal.
Authors: Edgar Carrejo, Rhonald Ortega, Kai Lan, Daniel L. Sanchez, Sunkyu Park & William Joe SaguesSynopsis: This study evaluates carbon capture and storage retrofits in a U.S. kraft pulp and paper mill using life cycle assessment. CCS can transform a mill from net emitter to net sink, with removal efficiencies of 17–92% depending on system boundaries. Narrow gate-to-gate boundaries show up to 92% efficiency, while cradle-to-grave boundaries drop to 12–46%. Results highlight the importance of boundary choice and demonstrate the pulp and paper sector’s potential as a large-scale, biogenic carbon removal platform.
Authors: Fariya Abubakari and Farida AbubakariSynopsis: This review assesses Ghana’s carbon sequestration potential across forests, agroforestry, wetlands, and agricultural soils. Forests and agroforestry offer the highest potential, while soils and wetlands provide long-term storage opportunities. Implementation is constrained by unsustainable land use, weak governance, and limited financing. Strengthening integrated land management, tenure security, community engagement, and innovative funding is essential to realize Ghana’s underexploited carbon sequestration potential and support climate mitigation.
Authors: Jean-Francois Lamarque, Pierre Friedlingstein, Brian Osias, et al.Synopsis: This study proposes a framework to assess carbon credit projects (CCPs) by their measurable impact on atmospheric GHG concentrations, addressing the need for high-quality projects in the growing carbon credit market. It also outlines a pathway to verify the aggregated atmospheric effect of market actions, providing a direct measure of their climate effectiveness and supporting robust expansion of carbon dioxide removal and emissions reduction initiatives.
Authors: Francois du Toit, Nicholas C. Coops, Christopher Mulverhill & Aoife ToomeySynopsis: This study uses the 3-PG process-based model to compare deciduous versus coniferous afforestation in Canada’s boreal forests under three climate scenarios to 2080. Results assess aboveground biomass accumulation, soil water, and vapor pressure deficit responses. Deciduous afforestation shows potential to increase carbon storage and enhance climate adaptation by mitigating fire risk, offering a nature-based strategy for climate-informed boreal forest management.
Authors: Na Chen, Zhikang Wei, Xuancheng Jin, Nan Lin, Fan Yang, Ling Zhao & Song WuSynopsis: This study develops a high-resolution soil organic carbon (SOC) mapping approach in Northeast China by combining multi-temporal Sentinel-2 bare-soil composites with a transformer-based TabPFN model. Using small-sample data (N=174), the TabPFN with 50th percentile composites achieved R² = 0.78 and RMSE = 1.90 g kg⁻¹, outperforming CNN and XGBoost. Analysis shows shortwave infrared and precipitation drive predictions. The method offers an interpretable, scalable solution for SOC mapping, supporting precision agriculture and carbon accounting.
Authors: Asim Nawab, Muhammad Tariq Khan, I. Ihsanullah, Mohammad Nafees, Aamir Mehmood ShahSynopsis: This review explores the underappreciated role of microplastics (MPs) in climate change. MPs disrupt ocean carbon cycling, affect phytoplankton and zooplankton, and host microbial communities (the plastisphere) that produce greenhouse gases. The interplay between plastic pollution and climate impacts ocean warming and acidification. Addressing MPs requires integrated strategies, considering their implications for UN SDGs and human rights, to support sustainable climate and ocean management.
Authors: Huiping Zhang, Yuchen Zhao, Lingfeng Dai, et al.Synopsis: This study demonstrates the use of multi-channel ceramic membrane contactors for DAC. Among 19, 37, and 61-channel designs, the 37-channel configuration achieved optimal gas-liquid contact and stable CO₂ absorption (0.06 mol m⁻² h⁻¹). A scaled-up module operated continuously for 170 h, capturing ~2.2 kg CO₂ from ambient air. Results highlight the scalability and practical viability of multi-channel membrane contactors for modular DAC systems.
Authors: Rui-Long Wang, Ming-Jia Li, Wen-Quan TaoSynopsis: This review examines microalgae-based DAC as a scalable approach for CO₂ mitigation. It addresses key challenges in low-concentration CO₂ capture, fixation efficiency, and integration of capture–fixation processes. Advances in photobioreactor design, gas–liquid transfer, and process optimization are discussed, alongside technical and economic bottlenecks. The study highlights pathways for scaling modular microalgae DAC systems, offering insights for practical implementation and commercialization toward carbon neutrality.
WEB POSTSREPORTSUPCOMING EVENTS2026DeCarbon | 24-26 February 2026 | CopenhagenWe 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 Add our Carbon Removal Events Calendar to your default calendar in 2 ways: Head to this link: https://teamup.com/kshqbfhrqkw36sxymd Sync specific event: Click the event → menu (≡) → Share → choose your calendar → Save. Or sync all events: Menu (≡) → Preferences → iCalendar Feeds → Copy URL → Add to your calendar settings → Subscribe. JOB OPPORTUNITIES“Chestnut Carbon build long-term, afforestation (ARR) and improved forest management (IFM) carbon projects that decrease carbon emissions by cultivating biodiverse forest ecosystems and supporting local communities.”
“Mati Carbon offers an innovative technology to scale gigaton carbon removal that holds the potential to build climate resilience and economic empowerment for more than 100 million smallholder farmers in the developing economies worldwide.”
“Octavia Carbon builds and deploys Direct Air Carbon Capture (DACC) machines in Kenya, the world’s best place to do so.”
“InSoil is a climate finance company enabling the transition to regenerative agriculture across Europe.”
“CEEZER is the leading partner for carbon credit procurement and management, empowering organizations to transform climate ambition into a clear path to net-zero.”
“At Heirloom, we are turning that into reality. We use the natural carbon capture properties of abundant minerals to pull CO2 from the air, and store it permanently underground.”
“Supercritical delivers radical transparency through our carbon removal marketplace so you can access the best projects at the best prices with absolute confidence.”
“Vaulted is a waste management company that removes carbon.”
“Climeworks is a leading high-quality carbon removal provider, combining decades of expertise in Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology with a holistic approach to carbon removal solutions.”
Looking for your dream job in CDR? There are 616 jobs available *right now*: check them all out at: CDRjobs Board
PODCASTSHow CarbonCure and Ozinga Are Rethinking Concrete | Sustainability Leaders | How CarbonCure and Ozinga Are Rethinking Concrete Sustainability Leaders 26:13 |
“In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Caroline Donlin, Managing Director and Head of Engineering and Construction at BMO, speaks with Kristal Kaye, Interim CEO of CarbonCure, and Marty Ozinga, CEO of Ozinga, about their partnership to advance sustainable concrete. Their conversation explores the economic, technical, and cultural shifts needed to decarbonize one of the world’s most essential building materials.”
“The carbon market is already maturing,” Jan-Willem, Puro.earth President | Carbonsations | "The carbon market is already maturing," Jan-Willem, Puro.earth President Carbonsations 40:40 |
“For this episode, we are joined by Jan-Willem Bode, President of the world’s leading crediting platform for engineered carbon removal, Puro.earth. JW walks us through his lengthy experience in the voluntary carbon market basically since its inception and shares his thoughts on the progress made so far, and what 2026 will likely bring for carbon removals.”
Coming compliance markets with Marian Krüger | What goes up, must come down. | EP11 Coming compliance markets with Marian Krüger What goes up, must come down. 59:49 |
“In this episode of What Goes Up Must Come Down, Simon is joined by Marian Krüger, founder of Remove, a nonprofit supporting carbon removal startups worldwide. Together, they explore the motivations behind why companies buy carbon removal credits and how compliance will shape the sector’s future.”
Carbon Removal’s False Peak as mapped by Noah Deich | Reversing Climate Change | 381: Carbon Removal's False Peak as mapped by Noah Deich Reversing Climate Change 53:55 |
“Today’s show is with Noah Deich, a carbon removal mover and shaker with his thumbprint on many of the biggest organizations and policies in the world. He recently completed a year in the prestigious Stripe Climate Fellows program, which selected a cohort of some of the sharpest people in CDR to develop new approaches to grow demand for carbon removal. Noah’s effort was an attempt to create an Advance Market Commitment structure like Frontier but for governments rather than corporations. You’ll hear how that went in this episode.”
A year of renewal: carbon removal in the climate pullback era | The Carbon Curve | A year of renewal: carbon removal in the climate pullback era The Carbon Curve 55:12 |
“In this annual “flip the script” episode of The Carbon Curve, Na’im is back in the hot seat as his wife Rahima Dosani interviews him AMA-style to reflect on the past year in carbon removal and life outside of work.”
YOUTUBE VIDEOSMEERTalk with Paul Gambill | MEER SRM “The only permanent solution to Earth’s energy imbalance is removing over 1.5 trillion tonnes of excess CO2 from the atmosphere. In less than a decade, an industry has emerged from nothing: 700+ companies, billions invested, and real technology proving out. And yet for all that progress, we remain orders of magnitude behind the pace required to lower global temperatures before crossing catastrophic tipping points. If carbon removal can’t arrive in time—and the math suggests it can’t—what fills the gap? In this talk Paul makes the case that cooling interventions aren’t Plan B—they’re what makes Plan A possible.”
What is Global Cooling? - with Paul Gambill | Sebastian Manhart “In this conversation, Sebastian Manhart and Paul Gambill delve into the pressing topic of global cooling and solar geoengineering.They discuss the urgency of addressing climate change, the transition from carbon removal to geoengineering, and the moral hazards associated with these technologies.The conversation also touches on the challenges of governance, the role of the private sector, and the importance of cultural engagement in shaping public perception.Ultimately, they emphasize the need for open discussions and a shift in societal attitudes towards these critical issues.”
Weekly Carbon Removal Updates from 05 January - 11 January 2026 | Carbon Removal Updates BulletinDEADLINESFollow us on:Twitter | Bluesky | LinkedIn | YouTube | Substack | Podcast 1 | Podcast 2
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