Cropland enhanced weathering in low GDP regions for gigaton scale carbon removal with potential economic co-benefits

Abstract Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) applies crushed silicate rocks like basalt to croplands and offers significant potential for atmospheric carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Here, we explored the potential of ERW as a bridge for sharing decarbonization responsibilities, with less-developed regions contributing cropland deployment and more developed regions providing financial support, thereby enhancing equity in global decarbonization. Low GDP regions (bottom 50% GDP administrative region as a case) in major global economies contribute 55%–89% of the total national or continental ERW decarbonization potential. Deploying ERW on 10% of cropland in these regions could achieve a cumulative global carbon removal of 22.92 Gt by 2075, approximately equivalent to half a year of current global emissions. Carbon trading between developed and developing regions can deliver annual economic benefits of up to 4.5% of the deployment regions’ 2023 GDP, measured by carbon prices. By enabling regions to fulfill decarbonization responsibilities with their strengths, this initiative can facilitate the concrete implementation of COP29’s vision for equitable and inclusive global decarbonization at national and sub-national levels.