Gaia Refinery
Climate Transformation Fund • Canada
Merging DAC with biomass for efficient, scalable CO₂ capture
Gaia Refinery is pioneering a unique carbon dioxide removal technology that merges Direct Air Capture with Biomass Carbon Removal. This innovative approach utilizes liquid DAC capture technology and biogenic sources of acetic acid to capture three streams of CO2, offering a potentially more cost-effective solution than current DAC technologies. The hybrid technology requires less electricity, captures more CO2 per ton of biomass, and can achieve efficient scale at a smaller plant size.
Durable Carbon removal title
To stop the climate crisis, we must cut CO₂ emissions in half over the next decade and then bring them close to zero. But emissions reductions won’t be enough to limit global warming to 1.5°C, some emissions from hard-to-abate sectors are expected to remain and to counterbalance that, carbon will need to be removed from the atmosphere and stored permanently. To address overshoot and bring temperatures back down the world also needs to remove large amounts of legacy CO₂ emissions. By supporting new ways of removing and storing carbon, we contribute to these methods developing and becoming cheaper for others to implement. As [recent research](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S254243512300449X) has shown, the coming decade is pivotal for carbon removal. Without the necessary support to bring it through its formative phase, CDR is not likely to be available at scale and in time to reach net-zero.
Enhanced rock weathering (ERW)
Rocks reacting with CO₂ and removing it from the atmosphere is the earth's natural, but slow way of lowering CO₂ levels. It can be sped up by grinding the rocks to a fine powder and spreading it on farmland as a form of mineral fertilizer. It could potentially become a cheap carbon removal method with low energy needs and strong co-benefits.
Durable Carbon removal title
Indonesia
New Energy Nexus is a global nonprofit providing funds, accelerators, and networks to drive clean energy innovation and adoption. This project will specifically focus on establishing a policy and regulatory framework that supports the growth of clean energy technology startups in Indonesia.
Durable Carbon removal title
Tanzania
Plant with Purpose works in rural communities to share knowledge on nature restoration and regenerative agricultural practices. This leads to improved yields, increased food sovereignty, and improved water quality and access.