Why Big Tech Is Pouring Money Into Carbon Removal

CNBC・2 minutes read

The market for carbon removal is expanding rapidly, with major investments from companies like Stripe, Alphabet, Meta, and Shopify aiming to permanently store CO2. Various innovative methods such as direct air capture and ocean-based storage are being researched and implemented to reach the goal of removing 10 billion tons of CO2 annually by 2050.

Insights

  • Major technology companies are investing heavily in the carbon removal market, with a focus on permanent storage of CO2 distinct from temporary recycling for various products.
  • The carbon removal industry is rapidly advancing through innovative technologies like direct air capture, ocean-based storage, and concrete injection, supported by significant investments and government initiatives to validate and increase carbon removal efforts.

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Recent questions

  • What are some innovative methods for permanent carbon storage?

    Various companies are researching and implementing innovative methods for permanent carbon storage, such as injecting CO2 into rocks, concrete, or converting waste plant residue into bio oil. Direct air capture companies like Climeworks and Carbon Engineering are prominent players, using fans and chemical processes to extract CO2 from the air. CarbonCure injects captured carbon into concrete mixes, enhancing concrete strength and reducing emissions from cement production. Planetary Hydrogen focuses on ocean-based carbon capture and storage by adding an antacid to seawater, aiming to decrease ocean acidity and enhance CO2 absorption capacity.

  • How much CO2 needs to be removed annually by 2050?

    Experts emphasize the need to remove 10 billion tons of CO2 annually by 2050, requiring diverse approaches beyond tree planting. This significant amount highlights the urgency and scale of the carbon removal challenge, necessitating innovative and scalable solutions to combat climate change effectively.

  • Which companies are investing in carbon removal initiatives?

    Major technology companies like Stripe, Alphabet, Meta, and Shopify are making significant investments in the market for carbon removal. These companies are recognizing the importance of addressing climate change and are actively contributing to the development and implementation of carbon removal technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  • What is the goal of Stripe's Frontier initiative?

    Stripe, in collaboration with other tech giants, has launched an initiative called Frontier to purchase $925 million worth of carbon removal by 2030. The goal of this initiative is to accelerate research and development efforts in the field of carbon removal, aiming to drive innovation and scale up technologies that can effectively remove CO2 from the atmosphere.

  • How is the carbon removal industry evolving?

    The carbon removal industry is rapidly evolving with various technologies like direct air capture, geologic, biologic, and ocean-based storage. These technologies are benefiting from increased funding and development, leading to the emergence of innovative methods for permanent carbon storage. The industry's growth and advancements underscore the importance of addressing climate change through sustainable and scalable solutions.

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Summary

00:00

"Expanding Market for Permanent Carbon Removal"

  • The market for carbon removal is rapidly expanding, with significant investments from major technology companies like Stripe, Alphabet, Meta, and Shopify.
  • Companies are focusing on permanently storing carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere, distinct from temporary carbon recycling for products like beverages, plastics, or fuels.
  • Experts emphasize the need to remove 10 billion tons of CO2 annually by 2050, requiring diverse approaches beyond tree planting.
  • Various companies are researching and implementing innovative methods for permanent carbon storage, such as injecting CO2 into rocks, concrete, or converting waste plant residue into bio oil.
  • Direct air capture companies like Climeworks and Carbon Engineering are prominent players, using fans and chemical processes to extract CO2 from the air.
  • Stripe, in collaboration with other tech giants, has launched an initiative called Frontier to purchase $925 million worth of carbon removal by 2030, aiming to accelerate R&D efforts.
  • Climeworks, through a partnership with Carbfix, has developed a direct air capture and storage plan in Iceland, raising $650 million to scale up the technology.
  • CarbonCure injects captured carbon into concrete mixes, enhancing concrete strength and reducing emissions from cement production.
  • Planetary Hydrogen focuses on ocean-based carbon capture and storage by adding an antacid to seawater, aiming to decrease ocean acidity and enhance CO2 absorption capacity.
  • The carbon removal industry is rapidly evolving with various technologies like direct air capture, geologic, biologic, and ocean-based storage, all benefiting from increased funding and development.

13:19

China Leads Carbon Market; U.S. Industry Hopes

  • China implemented a carbon pricing scheme in 2021, becoming the world's largest carbon market. Industry leaders are hopeful for a U.S. federal carbon pricing scheme and an increase in the current tax credit for carbon storage, currently at $35 per ton for geologically sequestered CO2 and $22 for CO2 used in products like concrete. Ocean-based storage methods lack incentives due to challenges in verifying captured CO2 amounts. The carbon removal industry emphasizes the need to validate each ton of CO2 removed to avoid past offset failures. The Department of Energy launched a $3.5 billion program to establish four direct air capture hubs in the U.S., each aiming to permanently remove over 1 million tons of CO2.
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