Substantial carbon drawdown potential from enhanced rock weathering in the United Kingdom

Euripides P. Kantzas, Maria Val Martin, Mark R. Lomas, Rafael M. Eufrasio, Phil Renforth, Amy L. Lewis, Lyla L. Taylor, Jean-Francois Mecure, Hector Pollitt, Pim V. Vercoulen, Negar Vakilifard, Philip B. Holden, Neil R. Edwards, Lenny Koh, Nick F. Pidgeon, Steven A. Banwart, David J. Beerling*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Citations (Scopus)
2026 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Achieving national targets for net-zero carbon emissions will require atmospheric carbon dioxide removal strategies compatible with rising agricultural production. One possible method for delivering on these goals is enhanced rock weathering, which involves modifying soils with crushed silicate rocks, such as basalt. Here we use dynamic carbon budget modelling to assess the carbon dioxide removal potential and agricultural benefits of implementing enhanced rock weathering strategies across UK arable croplands. We find that enhanced rock weathering could deliver net carbon dioxide removal of 6–30 MtCO2 yr1 for the United Kingdom by 2050, representing up to 45% of the atmospheric carbon removal required nationally to meet net-zero emissions. This suggests that enhanced rock weathering could play a crucial role in national climate mitigation strategies if it were to gain acceptance across national political, local community and farm scales. We show that it is feasible to eliminate the energy-demanding requirement for milling rocks to fine particle sizes. Co-benefits of enhanced rock weathering include substantial mitigation of nitrous oxide, the third most important greenhouse gas, widespread reversal of soil acidification and considerable cost savings from reduced fertilizer usage. Our analyses provide a guide for other nations to pursue their carbon dioxide removal ambitions and decarbonize agriculture—a key source of greenhouse gases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)382–389
Number of pages8
JournalNature Geoscience
Volume15
Issue number5
Early online date25 Apr 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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