• Google partners with Holocene to secure carbon removal credits at a record-low price of $100 per ton.
• The deal supports early-stage direct air capture (DAC) technology, a crucial tool for reaching global net-zero emissions.
• This collaboration addresses high DAC costs and accelerates scalable carbon removal solutions for the future.

Google has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Holocene to purchase carbon removal credits at the lowest price recorded for direct air capture (DAC) technology: $100 per ton. This marks a significant step toward making DAC, a key tool in combating climate change, commercially viable.

A Major Milestone

DAC uses chemical processes to extract carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, which is then stored or reused. Experts estimate that billions of tons of CO2 will need to be removed annually by 2050 to curb climate change. However, DAC technology has struggled with high costs and scalability challenges. No existing DAC plant delivers more than 2,000 tons of carbon removal per year, and costs often exceed several hundred dollars per ton.

Google’s partnership with Holocene aims to tackle this cost barrier. Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Google, said, “This partnership addresses one of the key barriers facing DAC technology: the price tag. While this is just one way to support carbon removal as it scales, we hope it will inspire the market to invest in promising solutions that can play a key role in addressing climate change.”

Innovative Technology, Lower Costs

Holocene’s approach combines liquid and solid-based DAC systems, which have the potential to reduce costs over time. In addition to Google’s upfront financial support, the project benefits from the U.S. government’s 45Q tax credit, providing $180 per ton of carbon removed. This helps further reduce costs and incentivizes investment in DAC.

By 2030, Holocene is expected to capture and store 100,000 tons of CO2 — equivalent to taking 20,000 gas-powered cars off the road annually. While this is a fraction of the billions of tons needed, it demonstrates the potential to scale DAC affordably.

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Looking Ahead

The success of this project could shift the carbon removal market by showcasing the feasibility of low-cost, scalable solutions. Google remains committed to supporting innovative carbon removal pathways to help achieve its goal of net-zero emissions and contribute to global decarbonization efforts.

Brandt concluded, “We’re excited about this partnership because it paves the way for future solutions that can help address climate change at scale.”