There is wide debate nowadays about the various tools that could help us overcome the challenges associated with climate change, such as reducing the volume of carbon dioxide emissions. The use of both technological and nature-based solutions is emphasised, but the most important thing is a strategic approach and an awareness of the opportunities and resources already available, while delivering a positive contribution to both the environment and people.

Cutting emissions alone is not enough

In public discourse, carbon dioxide (CO₂) is today regarded as one of the main drivers of climate change. Experts estimate that around 50 gigatonnes or 50 billion tonnes of carbon emissions are produced each year, yet only two gigatonnes of CO₂ are removed globally out of that amount. This means that 25 times more CO₂ is emitted than can be captured. Seeing the scale of the problem, policymakers and decision-makers around the world are devoting ever more time and resources to finding solutions for reducing the CO₂ footprint. It is important to recognise, however, that in order to meet the climate targets set both within the European Union and globally, and to keep the temperature rise below 1.5 degrees, it is not enough merely to reduce the current volume of emissions — carbon must also be removed.

One innovative solution is direct air capture — a technology that removes carbon from the atmosphere. Combined with long-term carbon storage, for example by injecting CO₂ underground where it mineralises, this is undoubtedly the best tool available to humankind for tackling climate problems.

Although direct air capture is important and necessary, at present it operates on a very limited scale — in 2021 the combined operating capacity of direct air capture plants worldwide amounted to the removal of roughly 11,300 tonnes of CO₂. To reach 1 billion tonnes — about half of what nature currently achieves under its own steam — direct air capture would have to be scaled up around 88,500 times over. This leads to the conclusion that this solution alone cannot significantly increase the current volume of CO₂ removals.

Solutions to the climate crisis must be sought in nature

Faced with environmental and climate challenges, in today's digital age it seems only natural to rely on the support of technology, but it is worth remembering that nature itself also offers a wide range of solutions, particularly in the field of CO₂ removal. What is more, nature-based solutions deliver additional benefits too, such as helping to conserve biological diversity, restore habitats and build ecosystem resilience to the effects of climate change. By harnessing this potential, it is possible not only to reduce the volume of carbon emissions but also to promote sustainable development and improve the planet's ability to adapt to climate change. One of the best-known nature-based solutions is afforestation, that is, converting unused or under-used land into forest. This process helps to increase considerably the amount of carbon that the land is able to store. Several international studies have shown that forests have the greatest overall potential for mitigating CO₂ impacts, reaching roughly 60-80% of the total potential of nature-based solutions.

There are drawbacks, too, however — for nature-based solutions to reach their full potential, patience is required. Trees and plants grow slowly, and peat forms more slowly still. They are also made more vulnerable by climate change, for example by rising air temperatures, prolonged periods of drought or the spread of pests, and the process of implementing these solutions also has to contend with competition for land use.

On the whole, it must be concluded that the potential for CO₂ removal is growing by the day and, as the experience of “Arbonics” confirms, investors have noticed this too, investing more actively in companies that help to advance the importance of this process. To make full use of the potential of CO₂ removal, research and development in the field of both natural and technological carbon removal solutions must be set as a priority. In addition, a stable policy framework and financial incentives are needed to encourage CO₂ removal practices and ensure their inclusion in climate change mitigation strategies worldwide.