CO2 News: Top Headlines You Shouldn’t Miss

Carbon emissions remain a hot topic and the world is responding. In this roundup of key CO₂ news, we spotlight what’s happening right now to curb emissions and push for a cleaner future.

CO₂ News Roundup: Shifts, Stats, and Solutions

1. America Just Crossed 1 Gigaton of CO₂ Stored Underground

In a landmark moment, the US has officially stored over 1 billion tons of CO₂ underground. This milestone highlights how carbon capture and storage (CCS) is no longer experimental; it’s becoming a real part of the climate action toolkit.

Carolyn Seto, S&P’s director of energy transition, noted, “This volume represents a material impact in reducing emissions from these hard-to‑abate-sources,” reinforcing the importance of CCS alongside renewables.

2. Microsoft Buys Record Amount of Carbon Removal Credits

Tech giant Microsoft just signed one of the biggest carbon removal deals to date, purchasing credits that will offset 2.76 million tons of CO₂. It’s part of their bigger goal to become carbon negative by 2030, and it’s a sign that private companies are stepping up their climate game.

3. Carbon Pricing Is Booming—$104 Billion in 2023 Alone

International movements to reduce carbon emissions are also gaining pace with more countries resorting to carbon pricing measures such as carbon tax and cap-and-trade. These policies brought in a mind blowing revenue of 104 billion in the year 2023 alone globally. In addition to increased tax collection, the increased emphasis on carbon pricing can be regarded as one of the best levers to curb emissions and encourage businesses to standardize their operations in the greener direction.

4. ExxonMobil to Build CCS-Equipped Gas Plant for Texas Data Centers

Exxon Mobil is planning a new natural gas power plant in Texas, specifically designed to supply clean electricity to tech firms and data center operators. What sets it apart? The plant will capture over 90% of its CO₂ emissions, making it one of the first major data center power sources with integrated carbon storage. As demand for data and AI grows, this blend of reliable power and CO₂ control marks a major step in greening the digital economy. 

5. New York Launches City-Wide Carbon Mapping Initiative

In a first-of-its-kind move, New York City is developing a detailed map of CO₂ emissions by neighbourhood. The project will track pollution from buildings, traffic, and even household energy use, helping residents and policymakers see where improvements are most needed. The goal? Targeted action and smarter climate policies at the street level.

6. California Invests $1.2 Billion in Carbon Removal Hubs

California has also stated that it will invest a whopping 1.2 billion in developing 2 carbon removal hubs to help it remove CO₂ directly out of the air. These hubs will involve the latest Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology, and are anticipated to add thousands of employment opportunities. This action further solidifies California in its net-zero commitments and places it in the spotlight as being a leader in scaling climate technology.

Intrigued by these developments? There’s plenty more waiting in our CO₂news section.

Final Thoughts

You’re all caught up on what’s shaking the carbon world, but this climate story isn’t over yet. What YOU think, question, or support could spark the next idea.

So don’t just scroll; tell us, which trend surprised you the most, and what innovation do you think the world needs next? Drop it in the comments.