In a bold response to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Purchasing Challenge, Meta has committed $35 million in the coming year to support carbon removal technologies. The DOE has called on private companies to step up, and Meta’s participation marks a crucial move toward scaling CDR efforts.
The IPCC highlights that we must remove between 5 and 10 billion tons of CO₂ annually by 2050 to stay on track with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. This scale-up is vital—experts warn that waiting could result in irreversible warming.
The Climate Crisis is Now
2023 saw some of the most extreme climate events in recent history: wildfires ravaging Canada, floods in Libya, and record-breaking heatwaves across Europe. In the last two months, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton left a trail of destruction across the U.S., with damages exceeding $15 billion combined. The financial consequences are stark: global insured losses from natural disasters have risen by 250% over the past two decades, now averaging $100 billion per year. These numbers emphasize the need for immediate action, and CDR is a critical piece of the puzzle.
Biochar: An Immediate Solution to Carbon Removal
Among the many CDR technologies, biochar stands out for its ability to sequester carbon while improving soil health. This method converts agricultural waste into biochar, locking carbon in the soil for centuries. Additionally, biochar’s agricultural benefits—such as increased soil fertility and improved crop yields—are crucial for regions where food security is critical.
At Wiener Impact, we see biochar as a scalable, effective solution to climate change. By converting waste into biochar, we are not only addressing carbon removal but also providing a valuable resource to farmers, especially in developing economies where better yields can be life changing.
The Time to Invest is Now
Meta’s commitment shows the leadership needed to meet our climate goals, but we need more companies to follow suit. Carbon removal technologies like biochar offer a dual benefit: removing CO₂ from the atmosphere while boosting agricultural productivity. To avoid catastrophic climate outcomes, investments in scalable solutions are critical. The time for action isn’t tomorrow—it’s today. Let’s invest in the technologies that will secure our future.