Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a cutting-edge technology that pulls CO2 directly from the air. Large fans draw in air, and special filters capture the CO2. The captured CO2 is then either stored underground or used in products like building materials.
DAC is unique because it can remove CO2 from any location, making it versatile and effective. Unlike other methods, it doesn’t depend on land or water resources. However, because the concentration of CO2 in the air is very low, a lot of air needs to be processed to remove the CO2, so it's an energy-intensive process and is best used in areas with abundant renewable energy.
By capturing and storing CO2 from the air, DAC projects directly reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. In the future, they could help bring the world beyond carbon neutrality by lowering CO2 concentrations back to pre-industrial levels.
Octavia Carbon is working with Cella Mineral Storage to launch Project Hummingbird: the first Direct Air Capture + Storage (DAC + S) plant in the Global South, located in Gilgil, Kenya.
They are pioneering climate innovation in Africa, by leveraging Kenya’s geothermal energy, geology, and talent - three factors that make Kenya one of the world's best locations for DAC.
Octavia impacts the following SDG's:
At Bigfoot, we love top-notch carbon removal projects, and we love sustainable development in the global South. So, we couldn’t help but love Octavia's project Hummingbird in Kenya.
Direct Air Capture (DAC) is often seen as the crème de la crème of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects. Octavia’s project pulls CO2 directly from the air and stores it in underground geological formations, ensuring the CO2 is locked away for millennia, and providing a long-term solution to climate change. Another great thing about DAC is that we know exactly how much carbon is being removed and stored, so we’re certain about the exact impact it’s having. What’s even cooler is that Octavia’s DAC project is based in Kenya, creating development opportunities and high-tech jobs for local talent. It’s not just about the environment; it’s about supporting sustainable development in the global South, which is a win-win in our book.
Now, we have to address the elephant in the room: DAC is currently the most expensive type of CDR. While prices are expected to drop as the technology advances and scales, it’s still a significant investment right now. Additionally, DAC is a very energy-intensive process. Although for Octavia this energy-intensity is less of a problem, thanks again to its location in Kenya. Octavia uses exclusively geothermal energy, and while there usually is an argument that green energy used by DAC could otherwise have been used elsewhere, Kenya actually has an excess of renewable energy and a need for industrial baseload demand.
In summary, Octavia's DAC project is a top-notch choice for those who want to combine their carbon removal with funding crucial climate tech development in the global South. It’s an expensive choice, but you don’t have to offset your entire footprint with Octavia’s project. Every contribution counts.
We understand that you want to know where your money goes, so we're showing you the money.
This CO2 will be removed from the atmosphere in 2026.
What does this mean?
Verification standard used: Puro.earth - Direct Air Capture
Carbon removal audit performed by: DNV
Carbon registry: Puro.earth
