Review of carbon removals through enhanced rock weathering (EU CRCF)

Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) seeks to sequester carbon dioxide as dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) by accelerating the dissolution of alkaline minerals on the Earth’s surface. This technical review explores ERW in the context of the EU’s Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Regulation (CRCF), and covers the theoretical underpinnings in geochemistry and soil science, implementation challenges, quantification & baselining issues, and sustainability safeguards that would have to be considered if an ERW methodology were to be developed for the CRCF.

The review was led by Cerulogy, with key contributions from Zara Popstoyanova (ICF) and Martin Johnson (Ecodiversity). It was presented alongside evidence from experts in the field at a European Commission carbon removals workshop on ERW and OAE.