Breaking Barriers in Carbon Dioxide Removal with Electrochemistry

A broad portfolio of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approaches is essential to meet the unique needs of various geographies and industries. Within this portfolio, synthetic carbon dioxide removal (sCDR) approaches — those that rely on engineered systems powered by low-carbon energy to capture CO₂, such as direct air capture — offer advantages like a smaller physical footprint and permanence of carbon removed. However, they typically require the most energy and are more expensive when compared to other CDR methods. Electrochemistry stands poised to transform the field of CDR by significantly reducing the energy requirements, and therefore costs, of prominent sCDR pathways.

“Breaking Barriers in Carbon Dioxide Removal with Electrochemistry” characterizes the state of electrochemistry-based CDR approaches, delves into the key benefits of leveraging electrochemistry in CDR, and provides guidance for evaluating innovations in the space. In doing so, this report cuts through the complexity associated with electrochemistry-based CDR approaches, lays out the trade-offs of different approaches, and provides practical guidance for due diligence.

The next few years will be pivotal for electrochemistry-based CDR approaches. With funding lagging behind what will be necessary to test and scale these solutions, we need research and tools that unlock better understanding and evaluation of critical innovations. This report is the first of such tools, providing an independent review of technologies’ effectiveness and scalability.