Google has made a significant push in carbon removal by joining Frontier’s $33 million offtake agreement with Eion Carbon. This deal aims to reduce approximately 79,000 tons of CO₂ by 2030 through enhanced rock weathering (ERW), a natural process that enhances carbon absorption in rocks.
Reilly O’Hara, Program Manager of Carbon Removal at Google, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “This deal goes beyond just eliminating CO2 – it also focuses on establishing a comprehensive and transparent understanding of the potential of enhanced weathering. By integrating with existing agricultural systems and prioritizing data sharing, Eion will play a crucial role in paving the way for scalable and impactful climate solutions.”
Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) involves the deployment of olivine, a fast-weathering rock, on farmlands in the Southern and Midwestern United States. This method not only captures CO₂ permanently but also enhances soil health and crop yields. ERW differs from traditional carbon capture methods as it seamlessly integrates into current farming practices, making it a cost-effective and scalable solution.
Eion’s research extends beyond carbon capture to include deep soil core measurements that aim to enhance the understanding of how rock-soil interactions influence carbon storage. By making this data publicly available, Eion is contributing to advancing the field of enhanced weathering.
Agriculture plays a significant role in both emitting and removing carbon from the atmosphere. Techniques such as soil carbon sequestration, biochar, and enhanced rock weathering are emerging as promising methods to make farming more climate-friendly. Soil carbon sequestration involves practices like no-till farming and cover cropping, which can store carbon in the soil for extended periods. Biochar, a substance made from plant waste, locks carbon into the soil while improving fertility. ERW, on the other hand, involves applying reactive minerals like olivine to farmland, capturing CO₂ while enhancing soil productivity.
Farmers in the Southern and Midwestern U.S. are opting for Eion’s olivine-based product over traditional agricultural lime due to its cost-effectiveness, soil improvement benefits, and positive environmental impact. By integrating ERW into their practices, farmers not only enhance plant growth and crop yields but also contribute to reducing atmospheric CO₂ levels, playing a direct role in combating climate change.
Frontier, a collective that includes Google, Stripe, and Shopify, focuses on investing in carbon removal technologies. By pooling resources to support innovative solutions like Eion’s ERW, Frontier accelerates the development and deployment of these technologies. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of collective action in addressing climate change.
Google has been a pioneer in sustainability and carbon reduction efforts since 2007, operating as a carbon-neutral entity by offsetting all its emissions through purchasing carbon credits. The company’s commitment to running on 100% carbon-free energy by 2030 aligns with its long-term climate strategy, which includes investments in renewable energy, support for carbon removal technologies like Direct Air Capture (DAC), funding forest conservation projects, and backing early-stage carbon credit markets.
The Frontier-Eion partnership reflects Google’s broader commitment to carbon removal, aiming to eliminate CO₂ emissions permanently rather than simply offsetting them. This initiative aligns with Google’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions across its operations and supply chain by 2030, emphasizing the importance of transitioning to carbon-smart agriculture to combat climate change effectively.
While enhanced rock weathering shows promise in carbon removal, challenges such as sourcing, transporting, and applying large quantities of crushed rock need to be addressed for scaling up the process. Developing robust monitoring, reporting, and verification frameworks to accurately quantify CO₂ removal and reducing associated costs are crucial for widespread adoption of ERW.
As the urgency of climate issues grows, major tech companies like Google are taking proactive steps to manage their emissions. The partnership with Eion through Frontier’s $33 million offtake agreement represents a significant advancement in carbon removal efforts, highlighting the importance of high-quality and verifiable solutions in combating climate change.
