Climate TechMaturity: Early
Direct Air Capture
Machinery that pulls carbon dioxide directly out of ambient air for permanent storage or industrial use.
Why does it matter?
Some emissions — aviation, cement, agriculture — are very hard to eliminate. Removal is the only route to net zero for that remainder, but only if cost per tonne falls dramatically.
How does it work?
Air is drawn across a chemical sorbent that binds CO₂. Heat or a pressure swing releases a concentrated stream, which is then compressed and injected into geological storage.
Where is it today?
Operating plants remove thousands of tonnes per year at a cost far above most carbon prices. Energy supply is the dominant cost driver.
Applications
- · Carbon removal credits
- · Synthetic fuels
- · Industrial CO₂ supply
Key challenges
- · Cost per tonne
- · Energy intensity
- · Durable demand beyond voluntary buyers
- · Verification
Advantages
- · Location independent
- · Measurable removal
- · Permanent storage
Infrastructure required
Low-carbon heat and power, plus geological storage and pipelines.