🚨NEW STUDY🚨
“Given the high expectations placed on #DAC for future #decarbonisation, recent study presents an extensive review of DAC tech, exploring a number of techno-economic aspects, including an updated collection of the current & planned DAC projects around the world.”
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“A dedicated analysis focused on the production of synthetic methane, methanol, and diesel from #DAC and electrolytic hydrogen in the European Union (EU) is also performed, where the #carbonfootprint is analysed for different scenarios and energy sources.”
2/10
The results show that “the maximum grid carbon intensity to obtain #NegativeEmissions with #DAC is estimated at 468 gCO 2 e/kWh, which is compliant with most of the EU countries’ current grid mix.”
3/10
“Using only photovoltaics (PV) and wind, #NegativeEmissions of at least −0.81 tCO 2 e/tCO 2 captured can be achieved.”
4/10
“The maximum grid intensities allowing a reduction of the synthetic fuels carbon footprint compared with their fossil-fuels counterparts range btw 96 & 151 gCO 2 e/kWh.”
5/10
However, “to comply with the Renewable Energy Directive II (REDII) sustainability criteria to produce renewable fuels of non-biological origin, the maximum stays between 30.2 to 38.8 gCO 2 e/kWh.”
6/10
“Only when using PV and wind is the EU average able to comply with the REDII threshold for all scenarios and fuels, with fuel emissions ranging from 19.3 to 25.8 gCO 2 e/MJ.”
7/10
These results highlight the “importance of using renewable energies for the production of synthetic fuels compliant with the EU regulations that can help reduce emissions from difficult-to-decarbonise sectors.”
8/10
Read the paper entitled: "The Role of Direct Air Capture in EU’s Decarbonisation and Associated Carbon Intensity for Synthetic Fuels Production" here ⬇️ econpapers.repec.org/article/gamjen…
🚨New study finds #biochar made from bioenergy crops & residues in China could remove up to 1.88 GtCO₂/yr with optimized plant logistics and dedicated biomass.
At ~$10/tCO₂, far cheaper than #BECCS, it offers a scalable, cost-effective carbon removal (#CDR) pathway.
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2/ Biochar, a carbon-rich solid produced by pyrolysis of biomass, locks carbon into soils for decades to centuries while improving soil quality and crop yields.
Its stability makes it a promising negative emissions technology (NET) relied on in climate scenarios.
3/ The authors evaluate a hybrid system called BCBE, biochar production with biomass supply from dedicated bioenergy crops grown on abandoned cropland, plus agricultural and forestry residues.
This aims to reduce competition with food production.
From U.S. withdrawal from global climate bodies & anti-geoengineering bills, to SAI uncertainty tool, Arctic field trials & funding calls, SRM stayed at the nexus of sci & geopolitics.
Top 10 SRM Highlights (Jan'26)🧵1/11
1️⃣ 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗖𝗖𝗖 & 𝗜𝗣𝗖𝗖 - Experts warn withdrawal could weaken SRM governance, deepen geopolitical mistrust, and accelerate fragmented or unilateral approaches.
2/11
2️⃣ 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨.𝗦. - New Arizona and Iowa state proposals target geoengineering, despite limited evidence and no active SRM programs.
🚨Climate pathways to 1.5°C increasingly depend on land-intensive carbon dioxide removal (#CDR) like forestation and BECCS.
But new research shows these climate solutions could place major pressure on #biodiversity if deployed without safeguards.
Details🧵1/11
2/ Using five integrated assessment models, the study examines where large-scale CDR is projected to occur & and how often it overlaps with biodiversity hotspots and climate refugia, the places most critical for species survival.
3/ The analysis focuses on a moderate but realistic deployment level of 6 GtCO₂ per year:
• 3 GtCO₂/yr from forestation
• 3 GtCO₂/yr from BECCS
Even at this level, land pressures are already significant.
🚨The Politics of Geoengineering (book) is out, offering 1st comprehensive social science view of #geoengineering.
It examines political, legal, economic & societal dimensions of CDR & SRM, from Africa to the Asia-Pacific, amid urgent governance & ethical debates
Chapters🧵1/15
2/ Chapter 01: Geoengineering has shifted from theory to contested policy, with technology outpacing governance. The analysis highlights political, legal, economic, and justice dimensions and calls for urgent global oversight.
3/ Chapter 2 examines Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) as geoengineering, analyzing CO2 extraction, storage, and conversion, with SWOT insights on techniques and implications for sustainable climate action.
🚨Is carbon dioxide removal (#CDR) in the Arctic really feasible?
A new peer-reviewed study systematically assessed proposed Arctic CDR pathways and finds that feasibility is far more limited than often assumed.
DETAILS🧵1/14
2/ As Arctic warms rapidly (4x) & attracts attention for climate interventions, can it host CDR at meaningful scale?
To answer this, authors conducted a comparative assessment of major CDR approaches proposed for Arctic regions, spanning both nature-based & engineered methods.
3/ The analysis draws on existing empirical studies, pilot projects, and modeling literature, evaluating each CDR pathway against biophysical constraints, technical readiness, environmental risks, and governance requirements.
🚨2025 Year in Review: Solar Geoengineering Edition🚨
As we enter 2026, we’re excited to share our yearly summary for #SRM: "Solar Geoengineering in 2025: Rays of Hope, Clouds of Doubt."
Here’s what we cover in this comprehensive review:🧵1/11
2/ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐5 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰?
1️⃣ Rising Temp & Escalating Climate Impacts
2️⃣SRM Funding Announcements
3️⃣Top SRM Stories
4️⃣Restrictions & Bans on SRM
5️⃣Essential SRM Reads
6️⃣SRM in Media
7️⃣Research Highlights
8️⃣Our Work Across Geoengineering
3/ 2025 was the third-warmest yr on record. @CopernicusEU shows the last 11 yrs were the warmest ever, with the global average temp in yrs 2023-25 exceeding 1.5 °C. Top climate disasters caused $120B+ in losses, intensifying debates over mitigation, CDR & SRM.