A Canadian engineering , backed by carbon Gates , is behind an attempt to extract CO2 and use it to create a synthetic fuel . Carbon Engineering is among the 11 finalists shortlisted in the Virgin Earth Challenge , which aims to reward the “ best greenhouse gas elimination solutions ” . The British Columbia - based firm has already started ‘ sucking ’ CO2 out of the air and , via a series of chemical reactions , transforming it into gases that are then burned to create synthetic fuel . Carbon Engineering aims to pump one million tonnes of CO2 out of the air annually up to 2020 , and create one million tonnes of fuel . Critics however , have said the project ’s high costs could “ dampen enthusiasm ” .
A Canadian company, backed by Bill Gates, is behind an attempt to capture CO2 and use it to create a synthetic fuel. Carbon Engineering is among the 11 finalists participating in the Virgin Earth Challenge, which aims to reward the “best greenhouse gas elimination solutions”. The British Columbia-based firm has already started ‘sucking’ CO2 out of the air and, via a series of chemical reactions, transforming it into pellets that are then burned to create synthetic fuel. Carbon Engineering aims to take one million tonnes of CO2 out of the air annually up to 2020, and create 400 million tonnes of fuel. Critics however, have said the project’s high costs could “dampen enthusiasm”.