Enhanced Rock Weathering Projects in the UK
BBC News - The UK is exploring large-scale ERW by spreading crushed basalt rock across farmland to capture CO₂ through accelerated weathering. University of Sheffield scientists are leading this effort, testing various regions and soil types to optimize the process. The results could provide key data for scaling ERW as a reliable CO₂ removal approach.
Meanwhile, The Guardian reports that a British agricultural coalition has launched an ERW pilot project on arable farms in Scotland. This group is monitoring CO₂ uptake and soil effects to assess ERW’s commercial viability and impact on soil quality. Early results suggest ERW may improve soil health in addition to capturing CO₂, which could be beneficial for both climate and agriculture.
Similarly, The Independent covers a related project in the UK where scientists are examining ERW’s ecological impacts, assessing potential risks to local ecosystems. While preliminary findings indicate minimal risks, researchers emphasize the importance of close monitoring as ERW scales up.
ERW Initiatives in North America
The New York Times (paywall) - In the U.S., researchers are testing ERW on acidic soils across Midwestern farms with the goal of enhancing soil fertility while capturing CO₂. However, challenges such as basalt transport and farmer adoption present obstacles. Subsidies are being considered to help address these logistical and financial issues.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that a collaboration between a U.S.-based non-profit and agricultural stakeholders is piloting ERW in Iowa and Illinois. Early data shows promise for CO₂ capture and improved crop resilience, though further research is needed to refine application techniques and assess long-term effects on soil chemistry.
Also in North America, National Geographic explores ERW’s potential in restoring degraded soils in California’s agricultural regions. Partnering with local farmers, this project tests ERW’s ability to sequester CO₂, replenish soil nutrients, and improve crop yield in drought-affected areas.
European ERW Efforts and Policy Developments
Financial Times - The EU is evaluating ERW’s feasibility within its carbon reduction goals, with potential subsidies for basalt application across carbon-intensive sectors. Policymakers view ERW as a supplementary carbon reduction method but are weighing economic and ecological concerns before pursuing wider adoption.
Meanwhile, Reuters highlights discussions among EU legislators about integrating ERW into the carbon credit market. If ERW projects qualify for carbon credits, companies would gain financial incentives for verified CO₂ capture, potentially making ERW more appealing for industrial use.
At the same time, Euronews reports that the European Commission has launched a pilot ERW program across multiple EU countries, focusing on adapting ERW to different soil types and climates. Findings from this program are expected to shape future policy measures to support ERW adoption on a larger scale.
Research Advancements in ERW Effectiveness and Feasibility
Science Journal - A new study explores how ERW’s CO₂ capture efficiency varies with local climate and geology. Researchers developed predictive models to estimate ERW’s CO₂ sequestration capabilities under different environmental conditions, highlighting the need for location-specific applications to optimize results.
In related research, Nature discusses ERW’s effects on soil pH and plant growth. Findings show that while ERW can increase soil alkalinity, careful application is necessary to avoid imbalances. This study emphasizes ERW’s potential as both a carbon capture and soil improvement tool when managed appropriately.
Meanwhile, Journal of Environmental Science provides insights into the durability of CO₂ storage through ERW, suggesting that carbon captured via ERW may remain stable for centuries under favorable conditions. Researchers argue that ERW could be a long-lasting carbon sink if adequately monitored and applied in suitable regions.
ERW in the Agricultural Sector: Impacts and Economic Factors
Agriculture Today - Farmers in Australia are testing ERW on wheat fields to boost soil nutrients while capturing CO₂. The project assesses how ERW might affect crop yields and soil quality in arid climates. Early findings indicate improved nutrient levels, although further testing is required to confirm these effects on a larger scale.
In Canada, Farm Journal reports on an initiative testing ERW on canola fields to evaluate its impact on crop yield and soil health. While ERW shows promising CO₂ capture potential, economic viability is dependent on government incentives or carbon credits to help offset costs.
Additionally, Global AgriTech covers ERW trials across North America’s agricultural belt, where farmers are exploring its effects on crop resilience amid rising drought. ERW could be valuable for both carbon capture and agricultural sustainability if scalability challenges are addressed.
Corporate Interest and Commercial ERW Applications
Forbes - Large agribusinesses are investing in ERW research to assess its potential for sustainable farming. Though companies recognize the high initial costs, they are interested in ERW’s dual benefits for carbon capture and soil productivity. Forbes notes that if research outcomes are positive, these investments may transform agricultural practices.
Similarly, Business Insider reports that a Silicon Valley startup is developing a logistics network to streamline ERW implementation for farms. By coordinating basalt supply and distribution, the startup aims to make ERW more accessible and cost-effective, particularly for smaller agricultural operations.
- --New ERW Research and Technological Developments
Scientific American - A recent study featured in Scientific American investigates ERW’s impact on water quality and nutrient cycling in soil ecosystems. Initial findings indicate that ERW may enhance water retention and nutrient availability, particularly in degraded soils, making it valuable for sustainable agriculture, though long-term effects remain under study.
Meanwhile, Environmental Research Letters discusses ERW’s potential in tropical climates, where warmer temperatures could accelerate the weathering process. The study suggests that tropical regions might achieve faster CO₂ capture, making ERW a promising option for equatorial countries aiming to scale carbon removal efforts.
Challenges and Economic Considerations for ERW Scaling
The Wall Street Journal (paywall) - The Wall Street Journal discusses financial challenges facing ERW, including the high costs of basalt production and transportation. Although ERW has substantial potential, its economic feasibility hinges on innovations in supply chain efficiency and potential subsidies to cover initial costs.
Additionally, Carbon Brief explores ERW’s limitations in densely populated areas, where land competition and costs may hinder its application. The report advocates for targeted policy support to address these barriers, particularly in urban-adjacent agricultural zones that could benefit significantly from ERW if it proves viable.
ERW and Public Awareness: Communication and Community Engagement
The Atlantic - An article in The Atlantic discusses public perception of ERW and challenges in communicating its benefits. Highlighting community-led ERW projects in California, the article stresses the need for public education and transparent communication to build trust and support for ERW initiatives.
Meanwhile, GreenBiz covers a recent forum where scientists and environmental advocates discussed community involvement in ERW projects. Participants recommended partnering with local farmers and environmental groups to enhance ERW’s accessibility and impact, especially in rural and agricultural communities.
Global ERW Efforts and International Collaboration
International Energy Agency (IEA) - The IEA recently published a report on global ERW efforts, highlighting projects in Australia, Brazil, and Japan, where governments and private organizations are collaborating to test ERW under diverse environmental conditions.
At the same time, World Bank provides an analysis of ERW’s role in global climate finance, suggesting that ERW could be included in international carbon credit markets to attract investment. The report calls for standardized ERW methodologies to ensure reliable CO₂ capture metrics across regions, which would support global scaling efforts.
Industrial Energy Green Transition 2024
Tokyo, JapanERW25: Terrestrial and marine carbon dioxide removal by enhanced rock weathering
Antwerp, BelgiumHow Eion's CEO Fell in Love with Rock Weathering
Ana Pavlovic, Eion's CEO, shares insights into enhanced rock weathering (ERW), discussing its potential role in global carbon removal. She covers the types of minerals used in ERW, including those sourced from Hawaii and Norway, and explores strategies for adapting ERW across different landscapes to optimize carbon capture.
The conversation touches on Eion's approach to monitoring and verification of ERW's impact, a method inspired by nuclear contamination studies, which aims to improve accuracy in tracking CO2 removal. Pavlovic also highlights the benefits ERW may bring to agriculture, particularly for farmers interested in enhancing soil health.
Challenges such as costs and data limitations are discussed, along with the role of strategic partnerships, like that with Stripe, in advancing the ERW field. Pavlovic concludes by addressing the long-term scalability of ERW and the coordination required for effective deployment.
Wilder Podcast Crushing Rocks for the Climate - Enhanced Weathering with Ben Westcott
Ben Westcott, Head of Enhanced Weathering at UNDO, discusses the process of accelerated weathering to permanently remove CO2, highlighting its potential benefits for agricultural land. He explains the commercial opportunities for landowners and how enhanced weathering can integrate with current farming practices to create additional value.
Westcott explores the carbon credit market, detailing both the challenges and potential growth areas, and examines how enhanced weathering could play a role in expanding carbon storage solutions. He outlines UNDO's plans to scale their operations, aiming to make enhanced weathering a viable, large-scale method for CO2 removal.
The conversation touches on the future of enhanced weathering and the role it might play alongside other nature-based technologies in the broader carbon removal landscape, including potential risks and co-benefits.
Advancements in MRV for Enhanced Rock Weathering
Experts in carbon dioxide removal and enhanced rock weathering discuss the latest developments and challenges in Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV). Topics include MRV's role in carbon capture projects, methods to trace CO2 reactions, and the complexity of tracking weathering across various ecosystems. Key figures highlight the balance needed between research and operational implementation and explore model-based protocols for measuring rock weathering at scale. They also discuss innovations such as remote sensing, and the impact of geography and local soil on carbon removal efficiency. Insights cover future possibilities of MRV as a service and the importance of transparency and trust for stakeholders in advancing carbon sequestration efforts.
Cara Maesano - Scaling Terrestrial Enhanced Weathering
Cara Maesano explores the scaling of terrestrial enhanced weathering as a pivotal approach to carbon dioxide removal (CDR), highlighting its potential to meet global climate goals by 2100. Emphasising the urgency of substantial R&D funding, she outlines the need for at least 50-100 million dollars to drive advancements and achieve technical viability. Maesano discusses challenges like supply chain issues and slow industry growth, which hinder large-scale implementation. She further addresses the role of carbon markets and government procurement in supporting funding. With an independent focus on guiding policy and stakeholders, Maesano aims to bridge funding gaps and accelerate key research, propelling terrestrial enhanced weathering toward commercial viability.
EAG Reactions 8 March 2024 - Academics working on carbon dioxide removal CDR projects
This EAG Reactions webinar brings together academics and industry experts to discuss strategies for carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Featuring insights from Rebecca Tyne and Noah Planavsky, the session examines the intersection of academic research and practical implementation in CDR projects. Tyne discusses her work in subsurface CO2 storage and the importance of understanding CO2 behaviour for durability, while Planavsky highlights partnerships aimed at making CDR methods both measurable and affordable. The webinar also explores using wastewater treatment plants for CDR, enhanced by weathering processes to reduce greenhouse gases. Emphasis is placed on transparent verification, collaboration with stakeholders, and creating robust standards to ensure effective CDR practices without compromising other environmental goals.
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