Life Cycle Assessment applied to Carbon Dioxide Removal processes: a literature review

In addition to sharp emission reductions, it is necessary to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) processes, also called Negative Emission Technologies (NET), for limiting global warming according to the Paris Agreement. The application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to CDR processes is useful for assessing the effectiveness of the process, the potential environmental co-benefits and trade-offs among the different impact categories, and the efficiency of CO2 removal of a process compared to other processes. The LCA studies of three main CDR processes, i.e. bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, direct air capture with carbon storage and enhanced weathering, are reviewed.