CarbonRun 2027

CarbonRun is a Canadian carbon removal company that employs a unique method known as River Alkalinity Enhancement (RAE) to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide while simultaneously restoring river ecosystems. By addressing the legacy of acid rain—which stripped many rivers of their natural ability to regulate acidity—CarbonRun’s approach enhances the water’s capacity to absorb carbon and transport it to the ocean for permanent storage. This dual-purpose solution creates a bridge between climate action and ecological conservation.

The Technology: River Alkalinity Enhancement

CarbonRun’s technology accelerates Earth’s natural weathering process by adding crushed limestone (calcium carbonate) directly to river systems. The process functions through a series of chemical reactions:

1. Application: Automated dosing stations release crushed limestone into the river water. These dosers are designed to be low-impact, often using renewable energy, and can adjust the flow of limestone based on real-time water measurements.

2. Reaction: As the limestone dissolves, it reacts with the carbon dioxide found in the water (which comes from the atmosphere and soil respiration). This reaction converts the CO2 into stable bicarbonate ions.

3. Storage: The river acts as a conveyor belt, transporting the bicarbonate downstream to the open ocean. Once there, the carbon remains chemically locked away for tens of thousands of years, effectively removing it from the atmosphere.

4. Verification: Unlike open ocean capture methods which can be difficult to measure, CarbonRun’s “contained” river system allows for precise measurement of water chemistry upstream and downstream of the dosing point, enabling high-confidence verification of the removed carbon.

Operational Scale and Co-Benefits

CarbonRun’s operations are currently focused in Nova Scotia, Canada, and Norway, regions where rivers have historically suffered from acidification due to acid rain. The company operates the world’s first verified river alkalinity enhancement project on the Kvina River in Norway, which has already generated certified carbon removal credits.

A critical advantage of this approach is its “co-benefits” for biodiversity. Acidic rivers are often hostile to aquatic life, particularly Atlantic salmon, which struggle to survive in low-pH waters. By restoring the river’s pH balance to a neutral level, CarbonRun creates healthier habitats for salmon and shellfish populations, effectively repairing decades of industrial pollution damage while conducting carbon removal. This ecological restoration aspect has garnered significant support from local communities and First Nations groups.

Future Outlook

CarbonRun aims to scale its operations significantly, with a clear trajectory to removing gigatons of CO2 annually. The pathway to scale is economically viable because limestone is abundant and inexpensive, allowing the company to project costs of under $100 per ton without needing major technological breakthroughs. While initial projects focus on repairing acidified rivers, the company is researching the potential to expand into pH-neutral rivers, which would vastly increase the available capacity for global carbon removal.