Countering Climate Change: Google and Other Big Companies Invest in Carbon Dioxide Removal
In an effort to mitigate the impact of their pollution on the climate, tech giants like Google have begun investing in a novel strategy for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. By partnering with startups like Terradot, these companies are backing enhanced rock weathering (ERW), a low-tech yet promising approach to slowing down climate change.
The Multimillion-Dollar Deal
In recent announcements, it was revealed that Google and other major corporations have collectively agreed to pay $27 million to Terradot for the removal of 90,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This deal was brokered by Frontier, a carbon removal initiative led by Stripe, Google, Shopify, and McKinsey Sustainability. Separately, Google announced its own agreement to purchase an additional 200,000 tons of carbon removal from Terradot.
While details regarding the price per ton for the larger deal have not been disclosed, estimates suggest that it could reach $60 million if the cost is similar to the Frontier agreement. However, Google asserts that they anticipate a reduction in costs over time for this larger deal.
A New Era of Carbon Dioxide Removal
The partnership with Terradot marks a significant milestone in the adoption of ERW technology, which accelerates a natural process that can take thousands of years to occur naturally. By crushing and spreading rock across large areas, ERW increases the surface area exposed to carbon dioxide, triggering a chemical reaction that traps CO2 in water as bicarbonate.
Terradot’s 2029 deadline for removing 90,000 tons from the atmosphere is ambitious, but Google’s commitment to capturing an additional 200,000 tons by the early 2030s demonstrates their confidence in the technology. The startup has partnered with Brazil’s agricultural research agency (EMBRAPA) to utilize this strategy on over one million hectares of land.
The Importance of Measurement and Verification
One of the primary concerns surrounding carbon removal is its cost-effectiveness, safety, and potential impact on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Experts warn that while ERW may be a promising approach, it should not replace reducing emissions in the first place.
Terradot plans to assess CO2 capture by taking soil samples over time. However, measuring the permanent sequestration of carbon dioxide is more complex due to factors like fertilizer usage and its potential impact on carbon capture rates.
Professor Oliver Jagoutz from MIT emphasizes that "it’s hard to measure with precision how much CO2 this process removes from the atmosphere." Nevertheless, he advocates for deploying ERW widely in the real world to develop rigorous measurement tools.
Challenges Ahead
While Google’s purchase represents a significant investment in carbon removal, it’s essential to acknowledge that 200,000 tons is still a fraction of their annual carbon dioxide emissions. Last year alone, Google was responsible for releasing 14.3 million metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Kanoff stresses that "any of the partners we’re even thinking about working with… have some of the most aggressive emission reduction strategies of any companies really in the world." He emphasizes that carbon removal should complement emissions reductions, rather than replace them.
The Future of Carbon Dioxide Removal
Google’s commitment to developing advanced nuclear reactors and new solar and wind farms highlights their recognition of the need for a transition to clean energy. While ERW may be an effective tool for mitigating some of the legacy pollution from data centers, it is clear that reducing emissions remains the most critical step in combating climate change.
As Jagoutz aptly puts it, "we don’t have the luxury to overthink it right now." With the world facing increasingly devastating climate disasters, investing in carbon removal technologies like ERW may be a crucial stepping stone towards creating a more sustainable future.
