A recent study by researchers from UC Davis and Stanford University suggests that incorporating carbon storage into common construction materials, particularly concrete, could significantly aid in tackling climate change. Given that over 20 billion tons of concrete are produced annually, integrating carbon into this material presents vast potential for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The study, published in the journal Science, highlights innovative approaches such as incorporating biochar and biomass-based plastics to transform buildings into carbon sinks. Lead author Elisabeth Van Roijen emphasized the importance of leveraging existing materials for carbon sequestration, rather than relying solely on traditional methods like underground storage of CO2. The researchers found that using carbonated aggregates in concrete could absorb enormous amounts of CO2—up to a gigaton annually if 10% of concrete production were carbonateable. These carbon-storing technologies, which include the use of low-value waste materials as feedstocks, not only contribute to environmental goals but also foster economic development and promote a circular economy. While some methods are still in the experimental phase, many are ready for adoption, making them promising tools in the fight against climate change.
