Criteria for effective site selection of direct air capture and storage projects

The importance of removing CO2 from the atmosphere to meet climate targets is highlighted in the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. One promising approach is Direct Air Capture and Storage (DACS), which involves the capture of CO2 from the air and its subsequent storage underground. Technical feasibility has been demonstrated, but careful consideration of DACS plant locations is crucial for achieving wide-scale implementation. In this perspective, we propose a set of key criteria for DACS site assessment, incorporating technical, economic, sociopolitical, legal, and environmental criteria considering the perspectives of numerous stakeholders. Two hypothetical applications of these criteria are illustrated for two different stakeholder groups to underscore their practical usefulness. The perspective also suggests supportive political and legal actions that can facilitate the deployment of DACS when informed by key criteria for siting. While this work advances DACS site assessment, further research should focus on the practical application of these criteria and the in-depth analysis of barriers to and paths towards the wide-scale adoption of DACS technology.