Analysis on carbon air capture technology

Can carbon air capture save us, or is it just a distraction?

Direct Air Capture (DAC) is no longer just a concept in climate tech labs. It’s real, and it’s scaling, pulling CO₂ directly from the atmosphere using giant fans, filters, and chemical processes.

But here’s the critical question: How much should we rely on it?

The IPCC has made it clear: carbon removal technologies like DAC are essential for achieving net-zero, especially to offset emissions from hard-to-abate sectors. Yet DAC is not a silver bullet:

High costs: Currently estimated at $600, $1,000 per ton of CO₂ removed.

High energy use: It often requires clean power, which must scale in parallel.

Limited deployments: Just a handful of commercial plants exist today.

And yet… companies like Microsoft, Stripe, and Airbus are investing millions in carbon removal portfolios. Even oil majors are exploring DAC as part of their decarbonization strategies.

So where does that leave us?

DAC is not a substitute for reducing emissions, it’s a safety net, not a strategy. We need rapid decarbonization and carbon removal. The challenge is finding the right balance, without delaying urgent action.

Let’s keep the conversation honest: DAC is promising, but it’s no excuse for inaction.

What’s your take on the role of carbon removal in your industry or region?