In a world where the urgency to combat climate change is more pressing than ever, transitioning to sustainable agriculture is a crucial step. In a recent interview, Felix Harteneck, Co-Founder and CEO of Inplanet—a company focused on sequestering gigatons of CO₂ through innovative carbon removal projects while regenerating tropical soils—shared with Muhammad Younis his insights on how technological innovation and traditional ecological knowledge can come together to create impactful solutions. We discussed the need for significant policy changes to support the widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and carbon sequestration technologies. Felix also highlighted Inplanet’s pioneering work in carbon removal, along with the challenges and opportunities in the journey toward achieving global climate goals.

#CTS: In the broader context of climate change mitigation, how do you see the balance between technological innovation and traditional ecological knowledge in enhancing agricultural sustainability? 

Felix Harteneck: Traditional knowledge and technological innovation have always gone hand-in-hand in enhancing agricultural sustainability. Combining the wisdom of generations with cutting-edge advancements drives the future of farming—and of climate change mitigation—forward. 

InPlanet strives to make this future a reality by applying the process of Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW). This technique involves spreading rock powder on farmland, which acts as a natural fertilizer. It seamlessly integrates with traditional farming practices, such as spreading of agricultural inputs, soil sampling, and testing, without disrupting the way farms are traditionally run. 

At InPlanet, we deeply value the local knowledge that farmers bring to the table. When introducing new technologies, we make it a point to incorporate their insights and expertise. Farmers are excited about these changes because they see the benefits for the soil of their farm and for the planet. It's truly a win-win situation. 

The ability to seamlessly integrate traditional practices with innovative technologies is what makes ERW a particularly promising solution for carbon removal and sustainable farming. We are working together with our partners to create a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future. 

#CTS: Given the urgency of climate action, what are the most significant policy changes you believe are necessary to support the widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and carbon sequestration technologies? 

Felix Harteneck: A lot can be done in the policy landscape to incentivize the widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and carbon sequestration technologies. First, governments should provide financial incentives and subsidies for farmers who adopt sustainable practices and carbon removal technologies. This financial support will make sustainable practices more attractive and accessible. 

Additionally, policies should encourage research and development in carbon removal to foster innovation. Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) is vital to ensure transparency and accountability in the carbon removal market. Investment is needed to ensure MRV can scale across the ERW industry. We recommend that governments set up non-dilutive funding opportunities to finance frontier research today to enable low cost monitoring of carbon removals at scale in the future. 

Furthermore, the traditional emission trading systems should start to include carbon removal in their schemes. Currently all governments based emission trading schemes, for example, the European ETS only allow the trading of emission titles and do not allow the inclusion of carbon removal credits. This should be changed through regulating and enabling carbon removal technologies, like ERW, on the governmental level, this way leveraging the scale and acceptance of carbon removal as a climate solution. 

Finally, international cooperation and agreements are crucial, as climate change is a global challenge that requires collective action. It is essential that we create a unified framework that supports these practices globally. Countries must work together to create agreements that promote sustainability on a global scale. 

At InPlanet, we advocate for these policy changes and work with stakeholders to push for regulatory frameworks that support our mission. We are the last generation that has the chance to actually revert climate change, and we can only achieve this together, and with policies that support this global effort. 

#CTS: How do you envision the future of food security and ecosystem health in a world where agritech and carbon removal strategies are fully integrated into agricultural practices? 

Felix Harteneck: The vision of integrating Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) as part of traditional agricultural practices brings us a lot of hope for the future. As ERW scales worldwide, it will make a significant impact on the environment, especially the oceans, and the soils of our planet. It is a comprehensive practice with so many benefits. 

For food security, ERW plays a particularly strong role: it restores mineral-depleted soils, increases crop yields, and enhances the nutritional quality of food. In our mission to scale ERW and make it a widely adopted agricultural practice, we envision a future where the use of chemical fertilizers is reduced as these products are replaced by natural alternatives such as rock powder. More than that, we envision a future with more nutritious food available for all people. 

Additionally, ERW has many benefits for the environment. Rock powder naturally remineralizes soils, bringing back life to what gives us life. We are restoring the soil that feeds the plants that will in return feed us. ERW also helps us fight another issue of climate change: ocean acidification. As rock powder is applied to farmland, it sequesters carbon and produces bicarbonates that flow into oceans, helping to mitigate ocean acidification and support marine life. 

At InPlanet, our vision is to scale these practices globally, creating a future where sustainable agriculture feeds the population while also regenerating the environment. We are constructing food resilience, healthier ecosystems, and a more stable climate for generations to come. 

#CTS: What role do you see for interdisciplinary collaboration in achieving your goals, and how does InPlanet foster partnerships across different sectors and regions to amplify its impact? 

Felix Harteneck: At InPlanet, we've learned that tackling climate change and revolutionizing agriculture isn't a one-person job - it takes a village, or in our case, a global network of scientists and partners. 

Firstly, Enhanced Rock Weathering is interdisciplinary by nature. The technique involves different scientific fields such as agronomy, soil science, geology, and geochemistry. Our team is composed of specialists in these fields working from all around the world, and supported by our science advisory board of independent scientists from renowned institutions. 

We're particularly excited about our work in Brazil, where we conduct our research and operations and actively stimulate the local market. It's amazing to see how our partnerships with Brazilian universities and agricultural partners are creating a ripple effect, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in sustainable farming and carbon removal. 

Beyond scientific innovation, ERW requires reaching consensus among key stakeholders, and implementing policies in order to scale. The support of the carbon market is essential to allow this technology to scale. We are working together with global associations such as the Enhanced Weathering Alliance who are committed to pushing for regulations that support sustainable practices and advance the ERW industry. 

What's really exciting is how all these partnerships — from local farmers to global research institutions — are coming together to create change on a scale we couldn't achieve alone. It's not just about InPlanet anymore; it's about creating a movement and a community that's transforming agriculture and fighting climate change collaboratively. 

#CTS: What ethical considerations come into play when implementing large-scale carbon removal projects in tropical regions, and how does InPlanet address potential social and environmental impacts? 

Felix Harteneck: While there are no published examples of negative environmental effects from ERW, we take risk mitigation seriously, especially concerning metal release from rocks. By working within all legal frameworks for agricultural amendments in Brazil, we ensure that our rock powders are both safe and effective for the participating farmers. 

Before applying any rock we also always look at the baseline parameters of our soils, this way ensuring that our recommended application amount is a benefit for soil, plants, and environment. After application, we incorporate proactive and rigorous monitoring into our ERW deployments, which includes continuous assessment of soil health, carbon sequestration efficiency, and environmental impact, fostering transparency and long-term sustainability in all our projects. 

Moreover, implementing large-scale carbon removal projects in tropical regions involves several ethical considerations. These include ensuring that local communities are not adversely affected, protecting biodiversity, and maintaining ecosystem integrity. At InPlanet, we prioritize the well-being of local communities by engaging them in the planning and implementation processes. We ensure that our projects provide tangible benefits, such as improved soil health and increased agricultural productivity, which can enhance local livelihoods. We also conduct thorough environmental impact assessments to mitigate any potential negative effects on biodiversity and ecosystems. By adhering to these ethical guidelines, we are creating a sustainable and socially responsible carbon removal solution. 

Finally, ERW is especially attractive in CDR portfolios due to its huge potential for scale. By implementing our projects on existing farmland in Brazil, we are leveraging existing infrastructure, and do not require any land use changes. 

Ultimately, ERW benefits both human and environmental health, and that is a major co-benefit of our solution: we are working to maximize positive impact that goes beyond mere carbon removal.  

#CTS: The London Climate Technology Show 2024 offers a pivotal space for companies to showcase their cutting-edge technologies, driving the global shift to a net-zero economy. How significant do you find events like these? 

Felix Harteneck: Events like the London Climate Technology Show 2024 are extremely valuable for driving the global shift to a net-zero economy. Bringing people together and creating a space where companies can showcase innovative technologies, share insights, and build valuable partnerships is vital. 

Bringing policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and innovators together to discuss the latest advancements in climate tech is vital for the industry's growth. Ultimately, events like this are about more than just showcasing technology; they’re about creating a community dedicated to making a real difference. For InPlanet, participating means being part of a larger movement focused on building a sustainable future for everyone.