Carbonsate startup buries wood in Namibia to sequester carbon

The German startup Carbonsate is implementing a carbon removal project in the Namibian savanna by burying unused wood in large pits. The process involves using excavators to place wood into holes, which are then sealed with plastic sheeting to prevent oxygen and moisture from entering. This airtight environment is designed to prevent the wood from rotting, thereby keeping the stored carbon out of the atmospheric cycle for the long term.

Co-founders Johanna Bröll and Fabian Sperling aim to monetize this process by selling CO2 certificates through an online marketplace. The company uses sensors to monitor the depots and ensure they remain airtight. While the founders state that their own emissions account for only about four percent of the carbon they sequester, the project has faced scrutiny. Organizations such as Greenpeace have expressed doubts regarding whether voluntary climate protection measures can build lasting trust without more robust quality verification processes.