Will the global cumulative install base of permanent Direct Air Capture (DAC) carbon removal capacity exceed 1 million metric tons of CO2 per year before 2028?

DAC Capacity: Exceeding 1 Million Tons Annually by 2028

Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a technology that chemically removes CO2 directly from the ambient air, offering a pathway to permanent, verifiable carbon removal. This prediction states that the global cumulative install base of permanent DAC capacity will exceed 1 million metric tons of CO2 per year before the end of 2028.

Investment and Policy Momentum

The 'Yes' majority reflects the massive investment and policy support for DAC:

• **Corporate Offtakes:** Commitments from major tech companies (Microsoft, Google) to buy millions of tons of removal credits, guaranteeing demand.
• **Government Subsidies:** Significant tax credits (e.g., US 45Q) and funding for DAC hubs accelerate construction.
• **Technological Maturation:** Companies like Climeworks and Carbon Engineering are scaling their second and third-generation plants.

While 1 million tons is a small fraction of annual emissions, achieving this scale would signify that DAC has crossed a critical industrial threshold, moving from pilot to established infrastructure.