Also known as DAC, Direct Air Capture is a form of carbon removal method that sucks up air from the atmosphere and filters it to segregate carbon dioxide that has been built up and settled in the air for quite a long time. While directly capturing the carbon from the atmosphere, DAC lowers the atmospheric concentration of carbon with the help of clean energy sources such as energy-from-waste, renewable energy, and other waste heat alternatives.
The need for Direct Air Capture is more urgent than ever, as by the end of the year 2030, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated to reduce carbon emissions by half. In order to bring the goal to fruition, Direct Air Capture carbon removal is the most efficient solution.
As per the State of Carbon Dioxide Removal report of 2024, co-curated by the researchers of the University of Oxford, approximately 7 to 9 billion tonnes of carbon need to be eliminated from the atmosphere every year until the end of the year 2050 in order for the world to meet the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target. While lowering carbon emissions is an integral part of the net zero path, carbon removal from the atmosphere requires more attention than ever.
Direct Air Capture has two key techniques, one of them being a solid-based capture method (S-DAC) and the other being the liquid-based capture method (L-DAC).
S-DAC makes use of solid sorbents at room temperature and pressure, and with the help of a temperature-vacuum swing method, carbon dioxide is released at low temperature (between 80°C and 100°C) and pressure.
In the L-DAC, there are two closed chemical loops wherein one loop exposes the air to an aqueous basic solution to capture carbon dioxide, and the other loop takes the air out of the solution through heating at temperatures between 300°C and 900°C.
Together, these Direct Air Capture methods facilitate scalable carbon removal with possible incorporation into industrial systems and geological storage solutions.
Now let’s explore how the other carbon capture technique, Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) method functions differently from the Direct Air Capture. The major difference between Direct Air Capture and CCS lies in the location of carbon capture. While the DAC technique captures carbon that is already present in the atmosphere, CCS emphasizes capturing carbon at its source of emission, mainly at industrial facilities or power plants. Even the mechanisms of both methods vary to a considerable extent. In the Direct Air Capture process, carbon is collected from the atmosphere using a large fan or air contactor, then unbound through heating, and finally either stored or recycled to create products for further use. In CCS, the carbon is captured with the help of filters or liquids consisting of bounded chemicals that help with the concentration of carbon dioxide, which is then unbound through heating and stored underground.
Due to the increased acidity of the ocean, the ocean chemistry experiences massive changes that adversely affect not just aquatic beings but also the human population.
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Due to the increased acidity of the ocean, the ocean chemistry experiences massive changes that adversely affect not just aquatic beings but also the human population.
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As of now, 27 DAC plants are authorized all over the world, capturing only 10,000 tonnes of carbon per year in totality, as reported by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Out of these 27 plants, 18 are situated in Europe, Canada, and the United States of America.
The future scenario of Direct Air Capture seems quite optimistic with its ability to mitigate carbon emissions, build a climate-neutral source material, and encourage a net-zero future. Nevertheless, DAC brings along with it some concerns as well in the form of high implementation costs, lack of decision-making aid, and rivalry from other methods. To note, 130 Direct Air Capture (DAC) plants are commissioned to be installed, out of which 15 are in the development phase. If all these 15 plants begin their operations soon, they would offer less than 5% of the 80 metric tonnes of carbon capture capacity on an annual basis by the year 2030 to be on the net-zero track, as estimated by IEA.
Due to the increased acidity of the ocean, the ocean chemistry experiences massive changes that adversely affect not just aquatic beings but also the human population.
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Direct Air Capture technology is an innovative approach to protect the world from the worst impacts of climate change and achieve net zero emissions. However, further considerations regarding its operations, costs, and energy usage are necessary to maximize its benefits as soon as possible.
Abhigyan Gupta
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Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a technology that removes carbon dioxide (CO₂) directly from the atmosphere using chemical processes. The captured CO₂ can then be stored underground or used in products like fuels and building materials.
DAC works by passing ambient air through filters or chemical solutions that selectively capture CO₂ molecules. The captured CO₂ is then separated, compressed, and either permanently stored or repurposed.
Currently, DAC is expensive, costing between $250 and $600 per ton of CO₂ removed. However, costs are expected to decrease as the technology scales and efficiency improves.
DAC is considered a promising but supplementary climate solution. While it can remove significant amounts of CO₂, its high cost and energy requirements mean it should complement, not replace, emission reductions.
As of 2025, there are around 25 operational DAC plants worldwide, with more under development as investment and interest in carbon removal grow.
