CDR

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday announced the 24 semi-finalists selected for the Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Purchase Pilot Prize (the Prize). The Prize will ultimately provide up to $35M in the form of CDR Purchase Agreements from the DOE. The Phase 1 semi-finalists will each receive $50K to scale CDR approaches across four pathways: (i) direct air capture (DAC) with storage; (ii) biomass with carbon removal and storage; (iii) enhanced rock weathering and mineralization; and (iv) planned or managed carbon sinks. The Prize aims to develop CDR markets, demonstrate rigorous monitoring practices, and model workforce and community benefits. The Phase 1 semi-finalists under each category of the Prize are: DAC with Storage Avnos, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA). Hybrid DAC technology that produces 5 tons of water per ton of CO2 captured, while eliminating external heat input. Delivery proposal: 3,000 CDR credits. Carbon America (Arvada, CO). Carbon America and Global Thermostat leverage Colorado’s diverse assets to demonstrate a scalable model for DAC-powered carbon dioxide removal. Delivery proposal: 3,400 CDR credits. CarbonCapture, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA). Stores captured carbon in low-carbon concrete. Delivery proposal: 3,333 CDR credits. Climeworks (Austin, TX). Project Cypress, a DAC plus storage project in Louisiana, builds on the company’s Mammoth plant to reach a megaton scale by 2030. Delivery proposal: 3,500 CDR credits. Global Thermostat and Fervo Energy (Brighton, CO). Building a high efficiency, zero-carbon energy, integrated DAC, and geothermal deployment. Delivery proposal: 3,500 CDR credits. Heirloom (Brisbane, CA). Employs carbon mineralization (using limestone as a feedstock) to remove CO2 from the air, and then permanently store it. Delivery proposal: 3,030 CDR credits. 1PointFive (Houston, TX). The Stratos DAC facility will capture up to 500K MtCO2/year when fully operational. Delivery proposal: 3,861 CDR credits. 280 Earth (Palo Alto, CA). Uses DAC technology designed for modularity and scalability, integrating mechanical and…

The UNFCCC Secretariat has released a concept note on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) activities under the Article 6.4 Mechanism (the Concept Note), published as an annex to the annotated agenda of the first meeting of the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body (SB) taking place beginning today in Bonn, Germany. This bulletin provides a brief summary of the Concept Note. Alongside the Concept Note, the UNFCCC Secretariat also released draft rules of procedure for the SB and concept notes on SB work in 2022-2023, its support structure, share of proceeds, and guidelines on baselines and additionality. Overview. The Concept Note is the first step in the SB’s work to develop recommendations for CDR and includes analysis of possible CDR activities under the Article 6.4 Mechanism, including CDR monitoring, reporting, accounting, crediting periods and issues relating to addressing reversals, avoidance of leakage, and avoidance of other negative environmental and social impacts. We anticipate that CDR will be given particular attention at COP 27 set to take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt this November and note that the SB is due to make recommendations on CDR in advance of the COP. Key issues and analysis. The Concept Note provides analysis on the following key issues: Types of CDR activities. The Concept Note defines CDR as “anthropogenic activities that remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and ensure its long-term storage in terrestrial, geological, or ocean reservoirs, or in long-lasting products” and acknowledges that CDR cannot serve as a substitute for deep emissions reductions, but can fulfil multiple complementary roles (including near-term reductions, addressing residual emissions from ‘hard-to-transition’ sectors, and achieving and sustaining net-negative in the long-term). The Concept Note breaks CDR out into the following categories: Afforestation and reforestation (A/R) and revegetation; Sustainable forest management; Wetlands restoration and re-wetting; Agroforestry; Urban forestry; Soil organic carbon enhancement in croplands…

U.S. Department of Energy Announces Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchase Pilot Prize Phase 1 Semi-finalists

UNFCCC Secretariat Releases Concept Note on Carbon Removals under Article 6.4