Enhanced Rock Weathering Could Remove Gigatons of Carbon by 2100

New study models adoption trajectories and potential impact of this carbon sequestration technology.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A new study from Cornell University researchers models the potential impact of enhanced rock weathering, a carbon sequestration technology that involves crushing silicate rocks and adding them to crop soil. The researchers found that if widely adopted, this process could remove up to 1 gigaton of carbon from the atmosphere annually by 2100, with the Global South playing an increasingly important role over time. The study also examines how social dynamics and tipping points could accelerate adoption of this technology as a climate mitigation strategy.

Why it matters

Enhanced rock weathering is one of the latest technologies being explored to help sequester carbon and mitigate global warming. If adopted globally, it could remove the equivalent of a major industrial economy's annual emissions from the atmosphere by 2100. However, widespread adoption, particularly in the Global South where conditions are more favorable, will be essential to realizing this potential.

The details

The process of enhanced rock weathering involves crushing silicate rocks and adding them to crop soil. This allows the rock dust to naturally react with carbon dioxide, binding the carbon into stable mineral forms that can persist for millennia. The process also enriches the soil with nutrients, boosting crop yields and increasing farmer profits. Previous research has assumed a uniform adoption of this technology, but this new study models more realistic trajectories, including staggered adoption, regional lags, and social tipping points that could accelerate adoption.

  • The study projects that enhanced rock weathering could remove 0.35 to 0.76 gigatons of carbon by 2050 and 0.7 to 1.1 gigatons by 2100.
  • High-income countries are expected to initially lead in adoption, but countries in the Global South, such as India and Brazil, will overtake them by 2050.

The players

Ying Tu

Co-first author and postdoctoral researcher.

Radine Rafols

Co-first author and postdoctoral researcher.

David Liao

Senior author and assistant professor in the Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment, part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS).

Benjamin Houlton

Ronald P. Lynch Dean of CALS and co-author, who has conducted extensive field studies and farmer outreach around the practice of enhanced rock weathering.

Natalia Butler

Doctoral student and co-author.

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What they’re saying

“If this were to be scaled, the Global South would eventually contribute more, and tech transfer and global carbon markets could accelerate adoption in these regions while also making adoption more equitable.”

— David Liao, Assistant professor (Cornell Chronicle)

“We need to sharpen scientific predictions of enhanced rock weathering, because it has amazing potential to drive carbon profits directly into farmers' pocketbooks.”

— Benjamin Houlton, Ronald P. Lynch Dean of CALS (Cornell Chronicle)

What’s next

The researchers plan to conduct further empirical research to better understand the social dynamics that impact the adoption of enhanced rock weathering, as climate change is not just an environmental problem but also a social science problem.

The takeaway

Enhanced rock weathering is a promising carbon sequestration technology that could remove up to 1 gigaton of carbon from the atmosphere annually by 2100 if widely adopted, particularly in the Global South. However, overcoming social and regional barriers to adoption will be crucial to realizing this potential and ensuring an equitable distribution of the benefits.