The fight against climate change took a significant leap forward this week as the world’s largest plant designed to remove planet-warming pollution from the atmosphere commenced operations in Iceland. The plant, aptly named “Mammoth,” is the latest creation from Swiss company Climeworks and marks a critical moment in the development of direct air capture (DAC) technology.
Mammoth: A 10-Fold Leap Forward in Carbon Capture
Mammoth is Climeworks’ second commercial direct air capture plant in Iceland, following the 2021 launch of its predecessor, Orca. But what sets Mammoth apart is its scale – the plant is ten times larger than Orca and designed to capture 36,000 tons of carbon from the atmosphere annually. This is equivalent to taking approximately 7,800 gas-powered vehicles off the road each year.
The plant operates through a modular design, which allows units called “collector containers” to be stacked and moved around the facility. Currently, 12 collector containers are in place, with more set to be added in the coming months. When fully operational, Mammoth will house 72 containers, further boosting its carbon capture capabilities.
How Does Direct Air Capture Work?
Direct air capture technology works by drawing in ambient air, which passes through filters that chemically strip out carbon dioxide (CO2). The captured CO2 can then be stored or repurposed. In the case of Climeworks, the company partners with Icelandic firm Carbfix to permanently lock away the carbon underground, where it will gradually transform into stone.
This innovative process relies on Iceland’s abundant geothermal energy to power the entire operation, ensuring the plant itself has a minimal carbon footprint.
A Growing Focus on Carbon Capture
The opening of Mammoth comes at a time when climate solutions like direct air capture are gaining traction. Global carbon dioxide levels have reached record highs in 2023, and scientists warn that reducing emissions alone may not be enough to halt climate change. Technologies that actively remove CO2 from the atmosphere are increasingly seen as a necessary complement to efforts to phase out fossil fuels.
However, DAC technology is not without its critics. Some argue that it is still expensive, energy-intensive, and unproven at scale. At present, the cost of removing a ton of CO2 is closer to $1,000, according to Climeworks, though the company hopes to bring that figure down to $300-$350 per ton by 2030 and eventually $100 by 2050. These cost reductions are essential to make the technology commercially viable on a larger scale.
Challenges and Controversies Surrounding DAC
Despite its potential, DAC technology faces skepticism from some climate advocates, who fear it could divert attention from the urgent need to cut fossil fuel use. Critics also point out the ecological risks and uncertainties associated with carbon capture technologies. Lili Fuhr, director of the fossil economy program at the Center for International Environmental Law, has raised concerns about the long-term impacts of widespread carbon capture deployment.
Other critics focus on the potential misuse of DAC technology by fossil fuel companies. For instance, Occidental Petroleum, which is building a larger DAC facility in Texas, plans to use captured carbon for enhanced oil recovery, a process that forces carbon into oil wells to extract hard-to-reach oil deposits. This practice, critics say, undermines the goal of reducing fossil fuel consumption.
Climeworks’ Ambitious Future Plans
Unlike companies with ties to the oil industry, Climeworks is committed solely to carbon removal. The company has ambitious plans to scale up its operations, with a target of removing 1 million tons of CO2 annually by 2030 and 1 billion tons by 2050. Future projects could see DAC plants established in the United States and Kenya.
The Mammoth plant represents an essential step in achieving these targets, although experts caution that much more will be needed to meet global climate goals. According to the International Energy Agency, current carbon removal technologies only capture around 0.01 million metric tons of CO2 per year, far below the 70 million tons required by 2030.
A Step Forward, But the Journey Continues
While Mammoth’s launch is a milestone in the development of carbon capture technology, it is clear that direct air capture alone will not solve the climate crisis. Reducing reliance on fossil fuels remains a critical priority, but the advancement of DAC offers a complementary solution that could play a vital role in reducing atmospheric carbon levels.
As Climeworks continues to innovate and expand its operations, the world will be watching closely to see if DAC technology can fulfill its promise and become a scalable, cost-effective tool in the global fight against climate change.
With climate goals becoming ever more pressing, Mammoth’s launch is a bold reminder of both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the quest to reverse global warming.
