Projects that suck carbon dioxide out of the air can generate removal credits that can then be bought and used by companies to help offset emissions they are unable to cut from their business.

A view of Climeworks’ Mammoth direct air capture plant, Hellisheidi Geothermal Park, near Reykjavik, Iceland. PHOTO: Courtesy
By EB Content Studio
Swizerland-based carbon dioxide (CO2) removal specialist Climeworks will explore the development of large-scale direct air capture and storage (DAC+s) projects in Kenya alongside Kenyan project developer Great Carbon Valley (GCV).
The partnership aims to leverage Climeworks’ advanced DAC technology and Kenya’s potential for permanent carbon mineralisation for underground storage of CO2.
This could lead to the removal of up to one million tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere once DAC+S is fully deployed in the country.
Many scientists believe extracting billions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere annually, by using nature or technology, is the only way to meet goals set under the U.N. Paris climate agreement to curb climate change.
The announcement comes soon after the Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi earlier this month, where it was revealed that Kenya’s geological advantages and abundant low-carbon energy sources make it a promising location for large-scale DAC+S deployment.
“East Africa is home to abundant untapped renewable energy potential including world-class solar, wind and geothermal energy resources, and basalt formations necessary to catalyse a vibrant carbon removals industry,” said Bilha Ndirangu, CEO of GCV.
“We are thrilled to partner with Climeworks to deploy its advanced DAC technology in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley and together validate the region’s significant potential for scalable, high-quality, permanent carbon removal in support of global decarbonisation efforts.”
Research conducted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that the world must remove around three to 12 gigatonnes of CO2 from the air annually by 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.
One of the leading companies in the global roll-out of DAC+S, Climeworks launched its pioneering Orca plant in Iceland in 2021.
How does DAC work?
DAC facilities use large fans to draw in ambient air, which is then passed through chemical filters or absorbents which selectively capture CO2 molecules while allowing other gases to pass through.
The CO2 is then heated, separated and purified before being liquefied for transportation or storage. The underground storage sites are chosen for their ability to trap and contain the CO2 for extended periods.
Over time, the stored CO2 mineralises or dissolves into geological formations, further reducing the risk of leakage.
According to Climeworks, the geological potential for CO2 mineralisation in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley has shown similarities to Iceland’s proven model.
“Kenya’s unique qualities make it a forerunner for effective CO2 removal through DAC+S,” commented Christoph Gebald, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Climeworks.
“Partnering with GCV, we’re exploring this high potential, combining our field experience to unlock a key contribution from Kenya to global decarbonisation.”
Building upon the successful launch of its Orca plant, Climeworks started work on its new DAC+S facility, Mammoth, last year.
Equipped with a nominal CO2 capture capacity of 36,000 tonnes per year when fully operational, the plant marked the next step in the company’s journey to reach gigatonne carbon capture capacity by 2050.
“Climeworks is set on being a pivotal player in this arena, both in Kenya and on the world stage,” added Gebald.
Projects that suck carbon dioxide out of the air can generate removal credits that can then be bought and used by companies to help offset emissions they are unable to cut from their business.