Advancing Direct Air Capture (DAC) for Community Benefit and Climate Action

Workshop Series Overview

Direct Air Capture, commonly abbreviated as DAC, is a technology currently being developed that removes Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere by using special chemicals for filtration. Integrating community perspectives into DAC projects is crucial to ensure that DAC hubs become community assets, supporting communities’ visions for the future and addressing local concerns. Here's a video and an article introducing DAC.

Our Community DAC Workshops are designed to deepen understanding of Direct Air Capture and foster collaboration between community leaders and the researchers, technology specialists, project developers, and government agencies that typically lead DAC design, development, and deployment.

Six workshops will be offered between September 2024 and May 2025. Fall Semester 2024 workshops included DAC Technology in Development; DAC Ecosystem Innovation; Community Benefits Plans; and Crowdsource Key Takeaways. Materials are available upon request. The Spring Semester 2025 workshop schedule is below. Workshops are free and open to the public but require registration. We aim to attract a diverse group of people from across the sectors mentioned above. Note that we have lengthened the workshops since last semester’s workshops garnered significant interaction, and we want to provide enough time for everyone to learn, ask questions, and share their wisdom without feeling rushed.

Community DAC Q&A: A Conversation with Scientists & Engineers

Thursday, February 27, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM EST (virtual - feel free to eat your lunch during the workshop)

Learn directly from scientists and engineers involved in Direct Air Capture (DAC) research and deployment. Questions to be discussed will include how DAC works, current technological developments, and potential impacts on communities and the environment.

Featuring Chris Jones and Matthew Realff from the Georgia Tech Direct Air Capture Center and Ben Wernette from the Southern States Energy Board and Judy Xie from Georgia Tech School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Facilitated by Erica Holloman-Hill from Ayika Solutions and the Georgia Tech SCoRE External Advisory Council and Alexandra Rodriguez Dalmau from Georgia Tech SCoRE. 

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Underground Storage: Technology, Uncertainties & Risks

Tuesday, April 1, 2:00 - 4:30 PM EST (virtual)

Learn about the uncertainties and potential risks associated with underground storage of CO₂. This session will cover requirements for infrastructure, geologies, and monitoring. We will touch on issues related to community well-being and human health, environmental impacts, scale, etc.

Featuring Ashlynn Hall from Carbon 180, Adam Milewski from the University of Georgia Department of Geology, and Judy Xie from Georgia Tech School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

Value for Attendees

Learn About DAC

Learn about Direct Air Capture (DAC) at the intersection of technology and community.

Collaborate Across Sectors

Engage in meaningful dialogue and activities with people from different communities and sectors to expand your networks and create an unlikely coalition of people committed to centering the community in clean energy and decarbonization projects.

Develop Innovative Pathways

Work together to push innovative concepts for designing and deploying DAC to advance community priorities.

Digital Badge Program

Direct Support for Your On-the-Ground Work