What carbon capture can do for hard-to-decarbonize sectors like real estate
There are several industrial sources of carbon emissions that are really tough to decarbonize, but are essential for the built world. Concrete is one of them. Cement, an ingredient in concrete, is responsible for around 8 percent of CO2 emissions. It’s poured into buildings, roads and bridges all over the world — so what sustainable options are out there?
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The trend: One option is carbon capture and storage — and it’s seeing a lot more investment. To put it simply, these technologies capture carbon from the air, transport it, and store it underground. Investment in carbon capture and storage has more than doubled since last year to hit a record high of $6.4 billion, according to BNEF.
The U.S. claims 45 percent of global investment in carbon capture and storage technologies. And what’s more, the Biden administration announced $2.5 billion in funding for programs for these technologies.
The big picture: Industrial sectors that supply materials to the built world need options for decarbonizing. Carbon management is one that’s picking up speed. For example, a 30-story apartment building in New York is using carbon capture technology to reduce emissions from it’s giant gas boilers. At The Grand Tier, CO2 is captured, cooled to a liquid and then trucked to a concrete factory where carbon and cement are mixed into concrete blocks, reports the New York Times.
What’s more: What’s on the horizon for heavy industry’s decarbonization? Consider recent developments in concrete production. There are a handful of startups, including Fifth Wall portco Brimstone, working on processes for carbon-negative concrete.
