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At Blusink, we’re all about diving into the big challenges facing our planet and finding solutions that actually work. Today, we’re talking about something that’s a hot topic (pun intended) when it comes to climate change: carbon removal. If you’ve heard the term but aren’t entirely sure what it’s all about, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.
Why Carbon Removal Matters
Let’s set the scene: climate change is one of the biggest challenges humanity has ever faced (click here to read our article on climate change and it’s impact on the ocean). We know we need to cut emissions – and fast – but even with the best renewable energy plans and efficiency upgrades, there are still some stubborn emissions that are hard to eliminate. Think heavy industries like steel, cement, and chemical production. That’s where carbon removal comes in.
Carbon removal refers to a range of solutions designed to pull CO2 directly out of the atmosphere. These solutions can include nature-based approaches like reforestation and soil carbon sequestration, marine solutions like ocean alkalinity enhancement and seaweed farming, and technological innovations like direct air capture. The idea is to actively drawdown and therefore reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, helping us to slow climate change and in future to potentially even reverse some of its impacts (given sufficient time).
Now, let’s be clear: carbon removal isn’t a magic wand that will solve all our climate problems. It’s more like a tool in the toolbox. The real heavy lifting still needs to come from cutting emissions at the source, which is still number one priority. However, many experts agree that without large-scale carbon removal, we won’t be able to meet net-zero targets. Additionally, carbon removal can be thought of as a way to 'buy us more time' whilst we fully figure out new, green systems and economies.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century will require not only deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions but also the removal of billions of tons of CO2 annually - making carbon removal a must-have if we’re serious about hitting such targets.
For a handy explainer, check out this awesome Vox explainer video.
The Big Challenges
Okay, so why isn’t every man and his dog going crazy for carbon removal? Well, there are some hurdles:
Cost: Many carbon removal projects are still in their early stages, and scaling them up is expensive. From planting forests to deploying marine technologies, funding remains a major challenge for project developers - especially in the early stages where projects aren’t on a large enough scale to be economically self-sustaining. At the moment, no-one really wants to take a risk funding something that hasn't been proven at large scale, and we find ourselves in a catch 22 situation.
Energy and Resources: Some technological solutions, like direct air capture, require significant energy inputs. It's crucial to ensure these are powered by renewables to avoid offsetting their benefits, or that the net drawdown far exceeds the energy used.
Legislation and Regulation: The carbon removal sector is still relatively unregulated compared to other industries, and as many techniques are incredibly new it can be hard to reach scientific consensus on their efficacy. Clear policies and standards are needed to ensure projects are effective, ethical, and transparent, while also preventing misuse or greenwashing.
Public Perception: For many years people have worried that focusing on carbon removal might give industries an excuse to delay cutting their emissions. It’s a valid concern and one we need to address through smart policies and accountability, making sure that Carbon Removal is seen as something to use in conjunction with emissions reduction efforts, rather than instead of.
Marine Carbon Removal: A Rising Star
One of the most exciting areas with potential for carbon removal is our oceans (though of course, we're a little biased!). Marine carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solutions leverage the vast potential of the seas to capture and store carbon. Here are a few examples:
Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement: By adding alkaline materials to the ocean, scientists believe we can enhance its natural ability to absorb CO2. This can not only reduce atmospheric carbon but also help counteract ocean acidification, a major threat to marine ecosystems.
Blue Carbon Ecosystems: Protecting and restoring coastal habitats like mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes (carbon capture species) can result in increase uptake of CO2 while also providing critical benefits like storm/flood protection and biodiversity support.
Hybrid Solutions: Deploying hybrid solutions that utilise both natural mineral material properties (alkalinisation) and enhancement of biological processes (carbon capture species) can be a way to accelerate natural processes to capture carbon whilst mitigating the risk from the introduction of foreign materials. Blusink is pioneering this approach and our combination of techniques is currently unique.
These marine solutions are particularly promising because they tap into the ocean’s vast capacity for carbon storage while offering co-benefits that extend far beyond climate mitigation. You can read more about the ocean's role in carbon removal in this National Geographic article.
The Co-Benefits We Can’t Ignore
Here’s where it gets exciting: carbon removal can be about more than just reducing emissions. When done right, it can deliver some awesome co-benefits, like restoring ecosystems and boosting biodiversity.
For example, nature-based solutions like seagrass restoration or terrestrial soil carbon sequestration not only pull CO2 out of the air but also create habitats for wildlife, improve water quality, and even support local economies. Marine solutions can help restore ocean health and biodiversity, support fisheries, and protect coastal communities from rising seas.
And let’s not forget about jobs. Building and operating carbon removal projects can create new opportunities in engineering, conservation, and sustainable development. It’s a chance to invest in communities and help transition workers from high-carbon industries into greener careers.
What Needs to Happen Next
So, how do we make the most of carbon removal? Here are a few ideas:
Scale Up Investment: Governments and private companies need to pour more money into research, development, and deployment. The faster we scale up, the cheaper and more effective the solutions will become. There needs to be a willingness of governments to take the risk of investment in order to demonstrate solutions at scale.
Set Smart Policies: Carbon pricing, tax credits, and other incentives can help make carbon removal projects financially viable and more attractive to private companies.
Think Holistically: As an industry we should design projects that deliver multiple benefits, like combining marine carbon removal with biodiversity restoration or renewable energy.
Keep It Accountable: We need strong regulations to ensure carbon removal projects deliver on their promises and that industries don’t use them as an excuse to avoid cutting emissions. The current model of carbon removal project certification, where certification bodies rely on a model which generates revenue by putting more credits through, regardless of the quality and durability of the removal technique, needs to be moderated and supported by governments and regulators.
Final Thoughts
At Blusink, we’re optimistic about the role carbon removal can play in a sustainable future. It’s not the whole solution, but we think it’s a super important piece of the puzzle. By combining it with bold emission cuts and appropriate legislation, we can tackle climate change while building a healthier, more resilient planet. And that’s something worth getting excited about.
What do you think? Are you team carbon removal, or do you have questions or concerns? Let us know – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
