Q: Why do we need direct air capture (DAC)?

It is international scientific consensus that carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) emissions need to reach net-zero no later than 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5°C. To avert the most catastrophic impacts of climate change, cutting CO₂ emissions is essential. But it isn’t enough. We also need technologies that remove existing CO₂. Even if the world hits all its emissions reduction targets, we still need to take out ~20bn tonnes of CO₂ every year to prevent catastrophic environmental impacts.

Q: How is DAC different from CCS?

Direct air capture (DAC) is the process of capturing CO₂ from the ambient air which makes it a highly scalable approach. Our approach allows for the amount of CO₂ removed to be easily measured and verified. Both the amount of chemicals used for capture and the weight of output can be calculated. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a way of reducing carbon emissions from industrial processes in hard-to-abate sectors such as the manufacturing of ethanol, fertilizers, steel, and cement. Carbon capture and storage from their point source of CO₂ may be necessary to significantly reduce their emissions and avoid longer timelines for decarbonization.

Question 1

Why do we need direct air capture (DAC)?

Accepted Answer

It is international scientific consensus that carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions need to reach net-zero no later than 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5°C. To avert the most catastrophic impacts of climate change, cutting CO₂ emissions is essential. But it isn’t enough. We also need technologies that remove existing CO₂. Even if the world hits all its emissions reduction targets, we still need to take out ~20bn tonnes of CO₂ every year to prevent catastrophic environmental impacts.

Question 2

How is DAC different from CCS?

Accepted Answer

Direct air capture (DAC) is the process of capturing CO₂ from the ambient air which makes it a highly scalable approach. Our approach allows for the amount of CO₂ removed to be easily measured and verified. Both the amount of chemicals used for capture and the weight of output can be calculated.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a way of reducing carbon emissions from industrial processes in hard-to-abate sectors such as the manufacturing of ethanol, fertilizers, steel, and cement. Carbon capture and storage from their point source of CO₂ may be necessary to significantly reduce their emissions and avoid longer timelines for decarbonization.

Question 3

How do you store the CO₂ you capture through DAC?

Accepted Answer

We store the carbon captured in a mineralized form. Mineral carbonates, such as calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), minimize impacts on the local ecosystems by reducing the risk of leakage and permanently sequestering carbon dioxide for thousands of years.

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