Tomorrow’s Air is enhancing its carbon removal efforts by partnering with Octavia Carbon, the Global South’s first direct air capture company based in Kenya, enriching its portfolio, deepening its commitment to global environmental solutions and adding significant appeal for its sustainability-focused travel customers and tour operators.
“We are thrilled to partner with Octavia Carbon, a pioneer in direct air capture in the Global South,” said Christina Beckman of Tomorrow’s Air. “This collaboration not only strengthens our carbon removal efforts due to its unique geology but also supports local communities and highlights the unique environmental benefits of Kenya, known to travelers as a dream destination. It’s a win-win for our customers and the planet.”
Launching in November 2024, Octavia Carbon’s plant will be based in Naivasha, along the Kenyan Rift Valley, and will run its direct air capture units using the country’s vast renewable energy (Kenya’s power grid is made up of 93 percent renewable energy). Their direct air capture process also leverages geothermal waste heat to efficiently and cost-effectively remove carbon from the atmosphere. This waste heat accounts for more than 80 percent of the plant’s energy requirements, with the other ~20 percent sourced from renewable geothermal energy.
The landscape of basaltic rock formations found in Kenya’s Rift Valley acts as natural carbon dioxide reservoirs, eliminating the need for capital-intensive infrastructure and transportation while reducing overall operational costs.
Beyond the environmental benefits of carbon removal, Octavia Carbon has created job opportunities for young Kenyan innovators and will create more in the deployment area, mostly inhabited by the Maasai and Kikuyu communities. This provides a source of livelihood for locals and Kenyan youth amidst climate change and economic challenges. The Octavia team, 99% Kenyan, currently comprises ~60 people and will expand as operations grow.
Along with job opportunities, Octavia has initiated a community benefits plan that addresses water scarcity and education, including sponsoring 11 high school students.
How can travel companies and travelers help?
Tomorrow’s Air and Octavia Carbon aim to make travel more sustainable by aggregating traveler and travel business demand for carbon removal with permanent storage technologies. Travel businesses can partner with Tomorrow’s Air to include carbon removal payments in their trip offerings, while travelers can purchase directly through the website. Additionally, travel partners can use educational tools to raise awareness and enthusiasm for sustainable travel practices, reducing overall emissions and addressing legacy emissions in the atmosphere.
“We share a philosophical alignment with Tomorrow’s Air - that tourism has a uniquely powerful opportunity to inspire and educate people about the significance and potential of carbon removal technologies,” says Martin Freimüeller, founder and CEO of Octavia Carbon. “With Tomorrow’s Air we know we’ll be helping to educate and inspire travelers who will hopefully share what they know with others. Connecting with travel businesses and travelers is especially exciting for us, and we hope every traveler who comes on safari to Kenya might also learn about the significant carbon removal industry being launched in this vibrant, fertile region.”
Learn more about Octavia Carbon on episode 38 of the Airrows on Air podcast and how you can get involved at www.tomorrowsair.com.
About Tomorrow’s Air
Tomorrow’s Air is educating, inspiring and mobilizing people to travel climate conscious, reducing travel’s carbon dioxide emissions and cleaning up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Every payment received supports education and funds the scale up of cutting-edge technology for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and/or supports carbon removal and permanent storage. Tomorrow’s Air is owned by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA). The ATTA and the Tomorrow’s Air brand are proud to be a member of 1% for the Planet.
Social Media: Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Instagram
About Octavia Carbon
Octavia Carbon is the pioneering direct air capture (DAC) company in the Global South, focused on removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for permanent storage. Based in Kenya, Octavia Carbon is notably launching the first DAC plant in the Southern Hemisphere in Q4 this year. Leveraging Kenya’s renewable energy, geology, and talent they aim to cost-efficiently permanently remove CO2 from our atmosphere while also promoting socioeconomic growth in the region. Octavia Carbon is dedicated to environmental sustainability and community development, working closely with local communities to provide alternative livelihoods and address regional challenges such as water scarcity and education.
Social media: LinkedIn