Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations Carbon Dioxide Removals: A Mammoth Task
In this episode of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations, we return to one of our favourite topics: carbon dioxide removals (CDR) and its potential role in combating climate change. Our host, Richard Delevan, interviews two distinguished guests: Ben Cooke, Earth Editor at The Times, and Robert Höglund, manager of the MilkyWire Climate Transformation Fund, founder of CDR.fyi and writer of Marginal Carbon. T
1. Ben Cooke, Earth Editor at The Times, discusses his recent trip to Iceland to visit Climeworks' Mammoth facility, the world's largest direct air capture plant.
Key Discussion Points:
- Overview of Climeworks' Mammoth Facility:
- Ben describes the setting of the Mammoth facility, its reliance on geothermal energy to power its Direct Air Capture technology, and the role of an Icelandic startup - Carbfix - in turning the captured CO2 into rock.
- Technological Details:
- Explanation of how the facility captures carbon dioxide using fans and sticky filters, and then locks it away underground through a process developed by Carbfix.
- Future Goals and Challenges:
- Discussion on Climeworks' ambitious targets of capturing a million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2030 and a billion by 2050, and the challenges they face in scaling up.
- Economic Viability:
- Insights into the cost dynamics of carbon capture technology and the potential for future cost reductions.
2. Robert Höglund, manager of the MilkyWire Climate Transformation Fund, shares his expertise on carbon removal technologies and the voluntary carbon market.
Key Discussion Points:
- Current State of Carbon Removal:
- Overview of the development and cost trajectories of direct air capture (DAC) technologies.
- Market Dynamics:
- Insights into the voluntary carbon market, key players like Microsoft, and the potential for scaling up carbon removal efforts.
- Policy and Regulation:
- The importance of government intervention and the potential impact of policies like the carbon take back obligation.
- Ethical and Practical Considerations:
- Addressing the ethical implications of carbon removal and the need for a balanced approach that includes significant emission reductions.
Links and Resources:
- Follow Ben Cooke on Twitter, LinkedIn
- Subscribe to ’s Substack at
- Learn more about Climeworks and their carbon capture projects
- Follow us on LinkedIn, BlueSky, Threads
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