Reclaiming Carbon

How we can transform captured CO2 emissions into a valuable resource

Carbon is the basis of life on Earth. It's found in every living thing, from human beings to bacteria. How did it become the enemy?

Carbon dioxide emissions are the most significant driver of the climate and biodiversity crisis, but we must be mindful not to demonise carbon itself. As Jennifer Holmgren from LanzaTech reminds us: "Everything we use, everything we need, is provided by carbon."

Since the Industrial Revolution we have been digging up fossil fuels to generate the energy that’s built the modern world. Instead, what if we could close the loop on any emissions we continue to generate, and use the captured carbon to create a new circular economy?

Innovations are emerging around the world to transform the way we manage carbon. Scaling carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technology is an essential step in reaching our climate goals, and once captured, these CO2 emissions can be transformed into any number of essential products from fashion to fuel.

A myriad of solutions already exists, but funding is needed to maximise their impact. Sustainable business models, demand signals, and accurate measurement all have a key role to play in unlocking investment – and with it, opportunity.

Do you want to learn more about how we can fix nature’s carbon cycle instead of fighting it? Visit our digital hub filled with extended interviews, case study films and reports.

With thanks to the following contributors:

Jennifer Holmgren from LanzaTech (recipient of the Sustainable Markets Initiative 2023 Terra Carta Seal)

Guloren Turan from Global CCS Institute (a member of the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Carbon Capture, Use and Storage Task Force)

Lori Guetre from Carbon Engineering (a member of the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Carbon Capture, Use and Storage Task Force)

Gaurav Sant from UCLA Samueli School of Engineering and Equatic

Brent Constantz from Blue Planet Systems