Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

5-2026

Department

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Series

Science and Mathematics

Abstract

Centuries of greenhouse gas emissions have led to anthropogenic climate change and an increased average global temperature. The 2015 Paris Agreement committed the signatory countries to take action to limit global warming to at most 2°C, with a lower maximum warming target of 1.5°C. Climate data shows the 1.5°C target is out of reach, and that aggressive greenhouse gas mitigation needs to be undertaken to reach the 2°C goal. A rapid shift to renewable energy and lifestyle changes will not be effective, however, and in fact, CO₂ needs to be removed from the atmosphere for the 2°C goal to be realized. Direct air capture (DAC) of CO₂, coupled with geologic storage, is an effective way to reduce and sequester atmospheric greenhouse gases. I conducted an analysis of the literature on DAC and geologic storage technology and then performed a cost-benefit analysis to determine if this is a viable economic solution. From my research, I calculated a $21.50 average net benefit per ton of CO₂ removed from the atmosphere using DAC and geologic storage, and based on this, it is then my recommendation that federal policy be implemented to help further reduce the cost of DAC and encourage firms to enter the carbon credit market.

Recommended Citation

Fettig, Sarah, "A comparative analysis of direct air capture and geologic CO2 storage technologies" (2026). Environmental Studies Honors Theses. 3.
https://orb.binghamton.edu/environmental_theses/3