The fight against climate change involves reducing emissions, but also removing the carbon dioxide we have already released from the atmosphere. In recent months, several initiatives both within and outside of Spain have been making progress on this front, with approaches ranging from ultrathin membranes to forest management, not forgetting technology applied to the automotive industry.
A good example of this drive comes from the University of Zaragoza, where a group of researchers has developed membranes capable of separating CO2 from the surrounding air. Meanwhile, in Soria, meetings are being organized to explore the potential of the mountains as carbon sinks , while in Japan, Mazda insists that traditional engines can continue to be used if they can absorb their own emissions.
Ultrathin membranes that capture CO2 from the air
Scientists at the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragon (INMA) have published a study in 'Advanced Materials' focusing on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). By mixing polymers with the ZIF-8 material , they have created a system that functions even when CO2 concentrations are very low, such as those found in the environment. Tests yielded a permeance of 1.037 GPU and a nitrogen selectivity of 16,2 under direct air capture (DAC) conditions.
The idea behind this technology is that it can be installed anywhere, without depending on a chimney or a specific factory. The team, which includes experts from the University of Manchester, suggests that this is another step towards the technical feasibility of CO2 capture , although scalability and cost challenges remain. Furthermore, the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to the pioneers of MOFs, which has made these materials highly sought after in laboratories.
Forests, a sink with economic returns
In rural areas, CO2 capture is also seen as an opportunity. The Federation of Business Organizations of Soria (FOES) has organized a series of workshops entitled 'Soria, a Territory that Absorbs'. The next event will be held in Ágreda, where the discussion will focus on how sustainable forest management and the bioeconomy can generate income while forests absorb carbon dioxide.
The aim is for landowners, local councils, and businesses to learn firsthand about the opportunities available, from resin and truffles to carbon sequestration projects using trees . These meetings, funded by the Regional Government of Castile and León, seek to help each region analyze its specific situation and leverage its forest resources without compromising their conservation.
Mazda is trying to make the diesel engine breathe its own smoke.
In the automotive sector, things get interesting. Mazda has confirmed that it is moving forward with its system to capture the CO2 generated by a diesel engine when using HVO fuel. In a competition test, they managed to capture 804 grams of CO2 on a single run, although they had to change the filter at pit stops, a detail the brand has not yet fully explained.
The intention is that, by 2035, this technology can be installed in production cars, hidden under the passenger compartment floor. If they manage to scale the system and reduce costs, it could be an alternative to electric vehicles. But don't get too comfortable: engineers have a huge amount of work ahead of them to ensure the filter withstands daily use and the price doesn't skyrocket.
From Spanish membranes to the forests of Soria, and including Japanese engineering, CO2 capture presents itself as a field brimming with possibilities . There is no single silver bullet, but rather a range of complementary CO2 capture solutions that will have to be developed simultaneously. While some are perfecting the materials to extract the gas from the air, others are trying to prevent cars from releasing it, and forests are contributing their natural share. What is clear is that the CO2 already floating in the atmosphere is not going to disappear on its own, so every advance, however small, counts.
