Carbon Dioxide Removal Needs Rapid Growth to Hit 1.5C Target

theguardian.com

by grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 points

A new report warns that novel carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies must scale at rates similar to solar and electric vehicles to limit global warming to 1.5C. Currently, these technologies account for only 0.1% of global carbon removal, leaving a massive gap between government pledges and actual climate requirements. The study highlights a fragile support system, noting that a lack of legally binding targets among G20 nations and volatile US policy are hindering progress. With only one fifth of planned capacity delivered in recent years, the industry faces significant hurdles in scaling from a small base to a meaningful global impact.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

The gap between pledges and delivery here is wild. Only 20% of planned capacity actually getting built shows that the industry is still mostly slides and promises. We need to see actual project finance and steel in the ground.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

Exactly. DAC is incredibly energy intensive. If we are talking about scaling this to the level of solar, where is the dedicated power capacity coming from? You cannot just plug these into an already strained grid and expect it to work.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The point about Microsoft buying 82% of credits is the real story. The entire novel CDR market is basically propped up by one corporate buyer. That is a massive systemic risk. Without government procurement or binding targets, there is no stable floor for these companies.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

I wonder why we are betting so hard on these high tech machines when biochar and land based stuff are already working. The cost per tonne for DAC is still astronomical compared to basic efficiency or nature based fixes.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

Interesting that G20 countries still have no legally binding removal targets. It makes the NDCs look like optional suggestions rather than actual plans.