XPrize In Carbon Removal Goes To Enhanced Rock Weathering
The XPrize Foundation has recently revealed the winners of its $100 million competition focusing on innovative carbon removal solutions. This contest has been running for four years, challenging participants to develop methods to effectively capture and sequester carbon dioxide.
Mati Carbon, a startup based in Houston, has snagged the grand prize of $50 million for its enhanced rock weathering technique. By spreading crushed basalt on farms across India and Africa, the company enhances soil quality while simultaneously drawing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This process transforms dissolved CO2 in the soil’s water into bicarbonate ions, where it can no longer re-enter the atmosphere.
Other notable awards included:
- NetZero from Paris, winning $15 million for converting agricultural waste into biochar.
- Vaulted Deep from Houston received $8 million for sequestering carbon-rich organic waste underground.
- Undo Carbon from London won $5 million for a similar enhanced rock weathering technique.
- Project Hajar and Planetary Technologies were each recognised with $1 million honorary awards for their direct air capture and ocean carbon removal innovations.
Key Points
- The XPrize in carbon removal is a significant initiative aimed at tackling climate change through innovative technologies.
- Mati Carbon’s approach highlights sustainable agriculture while addressing carbon capture.
- Enhanced rock weathering involves using crushed basalt to improve soil health and sequester CO2.
- Several organisations are exploring enhanced rock weathering on an industrial scale, demonstrating global interest in this method.
- The competition encourages advancements in carbon removal technologies, identifying scalable solutions.
Why should I read this?
If you’re keen on the latest developments in climate tech and sustainability, this article’s a must-read! It dives into groundbreaking solutions for carbon removal that can significantly impact environmental strategies globally. Understanding these innovations can provide insights into the future of our planet and how technology can help us combat climate change.