German-based reverce has recently launched with the mission to reduce carbon emissions through the process of enhanced rock weathering (ERW). This carbon removal method involves accelerating the natural process of rock weathering to counteract the effects of human-generated carbon dioxide emissions.
Reverce aims confront the main challenges associated with ERW. These include the risk of incorrect execution that might lead to carbon dioxide emissions instead of absorption due to complex interactions between soil and materials; the absence of a reliable method for measuring, reporting, and verifying (MRV) the extent of carbon removal; and the fragmented nature of the market resulting in overlapping efforts and potential inaccuracies.
The company’s response to these challenges involves developing a methodology grounded in the latest research findings, which emphasizes direct measurement of CO2 in the MRV process and aims to establish a transparent end-to-end operational framework to ensure credibility.
“We combine scientific and business expertise to create an end-to-end process chain for weathering-related carbon removal,” said Klaus Gumpp, reverce’s CEO. “Through this consolidated approach, we strive to accelerate the worldwide scaling of carbon dioxide removal.”
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reverce is involved in ongoing research initiatives such as Project Carbdown in Germany and the Olivine Project in Greece. Their approach takes into account multiple variables relevant to enhanced rock weathering, including the choice of materials, soil conditions, climate, and crop factors.
By increasing the surface area for weathering reactions, enhanced rock weathering accelerates the absorption of CO2 dissolved in rainfall. This allows for significantly faster carbon removal, which can occur within years to decades, as opposed to the naturally occurring process that takes millions of years.
Working in collaboration with farmers, reverce tailors the composition of rock materials to suit specific fields. This approach brings additional benefits to agriculture, such as promoting healthier plant growth and higher yields. Through field measurements, the company quantifies the carbon removal, leading to the generation of carbon removal credits that organizations can use to offset their emissions.
Read more: New Startup Lithos Carbon Improves Enhanced Rock Weathering To Store More CO2
