The ‘world’s largest’ vacuum to suck climate pollution out of the air just opened. Here’s how it works | CNN
The ‘world’s largest’ vacuum to suck climate pollution out of the air just opened. Here’s how it works CNNThe world's largest carbon removal plant is here, and bigger ones are on the way The VergeThe world's biggest carbon removal factory just opened in Iceland Fast Company
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The World’s Largest Carbon Capture Plant Begins Operation in Iceland
The “world’s largest” plant designed to suck planet-heating pollution out of the atmosphere like a giant vacuum began operating in Iceland on Wednesday.
Introduction
The plant, named “Mammoth,” is the second commercial direct air capture (DAC) plant opened by Swiss company Climeworks in Iceland. It is 10 times larger than its predecessor, Orca, which started running in 2021.
Direct Air Capture Technology
DAC technology is designed to remove carbon from the air by sucking in air and using chemicals to strip out the carbon. The captured carbon can then be injected deep underground, reused, or transformed into solid products.
Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Carbon Sequestration Process
Climeworks plans to transport the captured carbon underground, where it will be naturally transformed into stone, effectively locking up the carbon permanently. The company is partnering with Icelandic company Carbfix for this sequestration process.
Use of Clean Geothermal Energy
The entire operation of Mammoth will be powered by Iceland’s abundant and clean geothermal energy, aligning with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
Importance of Carbon Removal Technologies
Next-generation climate solutions like DAC are gaining attention as concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reach record highs. These technologies are seen as crucial in addition to cutting fossil fuels to combat climate change and achieve the SDGs.
Controversies and Concerns
- Carbon removal technologies like DAC have been criticized for being expensive, energy-intensive, and unproven at scale.
- Some climate advocates are concerned that these technologies could divert attention and resources away from efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption.
- There are uncertainties and ecological risks associated with carbon capture technologies, according to experts.
Mammoth Plant: Features and Capacity
- Mammoth is the world’s largest carbon capture plant, built by Climeworks in Iceland.
- The plant has a modular design with space for 72 “collector containers” that capture carbon from the air.
- It has a current capacity of capturing 36,000 tons of carbon from the atmosphere per year.
- This capacity is equivalent to taking around 7,800 gas-powered cars off the road for a year.
Capture Cost and Future Plans
The exact cost of capturing each ton of carbon was not provided, but Climeworks aims to reduce the cost to $300 to $350 per ton by 2030 and eventually reach $100 per ton by 2050. The company plans to scale up its carbon removal capacity to 1 million tons per year by 2030 and 1 billion tons per year by 2050.
Expert Perspectives
Stuart Haszeldine, a professor of carbon capture and storage, considers the Mammoth plant an important step in the fight against climate change. However, he emphasizes that it is still a small fraction of what is needed to address the global carbon emissions challenge.
Scaling Up Carbon Removal
Climeworks has ambitious plans to scale up its carbon removal capacity and establish DAC plants in Kenya and the United States. The company
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
- SDG 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Carbon capture capacity (e.g., 36,000 tons of carbon captured per year)
- Cost per ton of carbon removed (e.g., aiming for $300 to $350 per ton by 2030)
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | – |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | – |
| – | Carbon capture capacity (e.g., 36,000 tons of carbon captured per year) |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: cnn.com
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