Silicate & Northwestern University
Climate Transformation Fund • United States
Studying carbonate mineral ERW in US soils
Silicate uses fast-dissolving carbonate minerals to amend soil pH and durably store carbon as dissolved bicarbonate. In collaboration with Northwestern University, they will study how soil characteristics affect bicarbonate export and greenhouse gas fluxes in the US Midwest. This project provides novel insights into long-term ERW effectiveness using carbonate minerals, particularly in deep soil layers and across diverse soil types.
Durable carbon removal (CDR)
CDR is one of the most crucial solutions to reach and maintain net-zero emissions and limit global warming. To counterbalance fossil emissions from the long carbon cycle, the carbon removed needs to be stored durably. While solutions for durably removing carbon are still nascent, pre-purchasing carbon removal from startups can help kickstart the sector, making it an affordable and climate-relevant solution in the future. When credits or certificates are bought, they will be retired, meaning they cannot be resold and will not be counted as financial instruments.
Geochemical Solutions, incl. Enhanced rock weathering
Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) refers to capturing CO₂ by spreading crushed silicate rocks on land. In addition to naturally capturing CO₂, this method acts as a fertilizer for the soil it is applied to. The technology grinds waste- or freshly mined ultramafic rocks to a fine powder, that is spread on land. Once applied, the powder reacts with CO₂ solved in water, forming minerals in the soil and bicarbonates in rivers.
Durable carbon removal (CDR)
United States
Karbonetiq mineralizes CO₂ by carbonating alkaline industrial byproducts, such as steel slag, through a passive aeration process that is co-located with existing industrial activities. They are working closely with operational partners to establish low-cost, scalable, and quantifiable CDR projects that valorize industrial wastes and contribute to decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors globally.
Durable carbon removal (CDR)
South Africa
CHAI will work on the high impact project of transitioning a portfolio of hospitals in South Africa's Western Cape Province to renewable energy. This could be a high impact measure that is currently not occurring due to the limited capacity of the department of health and because of bureaucratic hurdles to innovative financial and energy contracts. The project has the potential to reduce emissions by hundreds of thousands of tons, and leverages CHAI's extensive experience in health sector procurement and innovative finance.
Durable carbon removal (CDR)
Tanzania
This project develops a mobile app for regreening techniques like Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). The app delivers real-time, location-specific advice directly to farmers' phones. This approach reduces intervention costs by eliminating the need for in-person visits to every location. We already support Justdiggit’s regular work since 2021, and now added this project because it builds on proven FMNR methods, increasing cost-efficiency and potential for rapid scaling in dry landscapes.