Microalgae-based Carbon Capture: A Cornerstone for Climate Change Mitigation

Vanguard Reports
Vanguard — Energy
4 min readMar 30, 2024

Regulatory Frameworks and International Agreements

As the world grapples with the escalating crisis of climate change, microalgae-based carbon capture technologies emerge as a beacon of hope. These systems exploit the natural photosynthesis process of microalgae to absorb carbon dioxide, thereby reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. The development and deployment of these technologies are increasingly backed by evolving regulatory frameworks and international agreements, signaling a combined global effort towards climate change mitigation.

In the realm of policy support, the European Union’s EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) stands as a pioneering cap-and-trade scheme designed to slash greenhouse gas emissions across key sectors. This system presents a structured pathway for integrating microalgae-based carbon capture solutions into broader emission reduction strategies. Similarly, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces carbon emission standards through the Clean Air Act, influencing how microalgae technologies could be adopted within the regulatory landscape. Meanwhile, China’s National Carbon Emissions Trading Scheme opens avenues for microalgae solutions by encompassing major industries under its emissions trading umbrella.

Internationally, the commitments outlined in the Paris Agreement aim to curb global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while ambitiously pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. The agreement underscores the vital role of innovative carbon capture and utilization technologies, including microalgae-based systems, in attaining these climate targets. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) further endorses carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies as critical tools for mitigating climate change, providing guidelines for regulatory and policy frameworks that bolster the development and application of such technologies.

Economic Feasibility and Scalability of Microalgae-based Carbon Capture

Microalgae-based carbon capture not only demonstrates remarkable environmental benefits but also reveals a potential pathway towards economic viability. The ability of microalgae to absorb approximately 2 tonnes of CO2 for every tonne of biomass produced, alongside releasing abundant oxygen, positions it as an efficient solution for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).

Financial analyses, such as those detailed in the Algal Research journal, indicate that the costs for capturing CO2 via microalgae range between $50 to $100 per ton. This cost spectrum reflects various influencing factors, including geographic location, operational scale, and technological progress. Recognition of microalgae’s potential to sequester up to 10% of global CO2 emissions underpins its significant scalability prospects, as highlighted by University of Cambridge researchers. Contrastingly, the drive towards scalability confronts challenges, notably in the cultivation, harvesting, and processing of microalgae, which must be meticulously addressed to enhance commercial adoption.

Companies like Brilliant Planet are at the forefront of expanding microalgae-based carbon capture, aiming to remove 1,500 tonnes of CO2 by 2027 and targeting an ambitious milestone of 1 million tonnes annually by 2030. However, attaining global impact necessitates overcoming scalability and economic hurdles. Microalgae technology’s integration with sectors such as biofuel production and wastewater treatment could amplify its economic and environmental advantages. Furthermore, breakthroughs in genetic engineering and biotechnological innovations promise to yield more efficient and cost-effective microalgae varieties for carbon capture, paving the way for industry-wide application and commercialization.

Opportunities and Future Developments

The amalgamation of microalgae-based carbon capture into existing industrial ecosystems opens a spectrum of opportunities for enhancing its economic rationale and environmental efficacy. Industrial symbiosis, leveraging microalgae systems in conjunction with biofuel generation or wastewater management, could significantly amplify the tangible benefits presented by these technologies. With ongoing advancements in the field of genetic engineering and biotechnology, the prospect of cultivating microalgae strains with optimized efficiency for carbon capture emerges as a promising avenue for research and development.

The path to mainstreaming microalgae-based carbon capture technologies necessitates collaborative efforts among academics, industry stakeholders, and policymakers. This tripartite partnership is pivotal in navigating the technical, economic, and regulatory challenges that currently impede widespread adoption. A concerted push for progressive research, bolstered by supportive public policies and financial incentives, could catalyze the commercial success and scalability of microalgae-based carbon capture, marking it as a cornerstone in global initiatives to combat climate change.

In light of the projected surge in global carbon credit demand, expected to reach up to 13 GtCO2 by 2050, and the anticipated $275 trillion investment required for a net-zero transition, microalgae carbon capture technologies stand out for their potential economic and environmental dividends. By facilitating the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) hubs, these technologies can significantly contribute to reducing industrial emissions, especially in sectors characterized by low-concentration CO2 emissions. The establishment of such hubs will likely hinge on factors like emission source proximity, renewable energy availability, and collaboration willingness, underscoring the imperative for a strategic approach to microalgae carbon capture implementation.

Ultimately, the convergence of comprehensive regulatory frameworks, forward-thinking policy recommendations, and international collaboration holds the key to unlocking the transformative potential of microalgae-based carbon capture. By embracing a holistic strategy that addresses regulatory, scientific, and commercial challenges, stakeholders can propel these technologies to the forefront of global efforts toward achieving a sustainable, carbon-neutral future.

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Vanguard Reports
Vanguard — Energy

Pioneering Tech in multi dimensional analysis and investigative journalism. Inviting independent voices to end the century old information monopoly.