Governments worldwide, especially in wealthier nations, are falling behind on commitments to the Paris Agreement, the landmark 2015 climate accord signed by 195 countries and the European Union. With carbon dioxide emissions continuing to rise, many have pinned their hopes on technological solutions like Direct Air Capture (DAC) to remove this greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. However, recent research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Energy Initiative casts doubt on the viability of this approach.
The Challenges of Direct Air Capture
Direct Air Capture refers to a method that extracts carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. Although the concept seems simple, researchers at MIT have pointed out numerous engineering and operational challenges that cast doubt on the feasibility of implementing this technology on a large scale.
One key issue is where to build DAC facilities. These structures need to endure environmental exposure while also providing space to store the captured carbon dioxide. This logistical hurdle is frequently overlooked in climate models but becomes a significant barrier in real-world applications.
Even more challenging is the energy requirement for these facilities. To be effective, they must be located near a low-carbon electricity source. If coal or other high-emission energy sources are used, DAC operations could inadvertently increase CO2 levels. For instance, using coal power for DAC could result in 20% more carbon dioxide than is removed. Meeting ambitious targets like removing 10 gigatonnes of CO2 annually would demand 40% of today’s global electricity production—a scale that is currently impractical.
Scaling up DAC technology is another obstacle. Carbon dioxide constitutes just 0.04% of the atmosphere, meaning enormous volumes of air must be processed to extract meaningful amounts of CO2. For every tonne of carbon removed, 1.8 million cubic meters of air must be filtered—a staggering figure equivalent to nearly two Empire State Buildings’ worth of air. This complexity drives up costs, far beyond what many models have estimated.
Carbon Sequestration: A Viable Alternative
In contrast to DAC, carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies focus on capturing CO2 from concentrated sources, such as industrial flue gases. Because the CO2 concentration is higher, CCS is more cost-effective and easier to implement than removing it from ambient air. This makes CCS a more practical option for industries looking to reduce emissions directly.
Emissions Reduction: The True Solution
The broader implication of these findings is clear: carbon removal technologies like DAC are not a substitute for reducing emissions at the source. While technological solutions offer potential, their effectiveness is constrained by physical, financial, and energy limitations. The continued reliance on high-emission activities while hoping for a technological fix is a politically driven decision with severe consequences for the climate, ecosystems, and humanity.
The COP29 summit highlighted the lack of substantial progress in global climate efforts, with world leaders failing to implement effective measures. Financial support mechanisms intended to help vulnerable nations remain inadequate, often adding to their debt rather than tackling the underlying factors contributing to the climate crisis.
The path forward requires more than just promises of future innovation. There is an urgent need for immediate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, a structured phase-out of fossil fuels, and financial accountability from industries that have profited from environmental harm. Achieving these goals will require a collective global effort and the political will to prioritize sustainable practices over short-term gains.
The Future of Climate Action
The research underscores a critical lesson: no single technology can solve the climate crisis. While innovations like DAC play a role in mitigating emissions, they must be part of a broader strategy focused on prevention rather than cure. The physical and economic constraints of direct air capture highlight the importance of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, where emissions are minimized from the outset.
The global community must recognize that addressing climate change requires comprehensive action, from policy reform to technological development. The potential of solutions like DAC should not distract from the immediate necessity of reducing emissions—a goal that remains within reach if the will to act is found.
