In a significant move toward climate adaptation, the city of Kielce is set to launch Poland’s first direct air capture (DAC) facility, a pilot project designed to remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. Developed in partnership between the Kielce municipal government and the technology firm Oraquel S.A., the project highlights a new phase in Poland’s approach to climate technology. 

The new facility will be entirely powered by solar energy and is projected to capture 500 tons of CO2 annually, an amount equivalent to the emissions offset from approximately 70 households that use coal stoves. The initiative is not just about carbon removal; it is also a public education effort to build understanding of new climate technologies. 

Mayor Agata Wojda emphasized the project’s role in the city’s broader climate strategy. “By showing the effectiveness of the new technology, we can teach about the adaptation of cities to environmental and climate change and about what we can all do on our own to make Kielce continue to be a green and friendly city,” she said. 

Oraquel S.A., the company providing the hardware and expertise, specializes in modular DAC units. The firm’s CEO, Wojciech Mudyna, noted that the captured carbon is stable and can be easily transported or stored, offering a practical solution for carbon management. 

The pilot program is designed with scalability in mind, with discussions already underway to potentially deploy similar units across Poland. This project offers a crucial testing ground for integrating advanced climate technologies into local governance, providing a model for other municipalities. 

The initiative also creates a new entry point for private investment in Poland’s emerging carbon removal sector, especially as the EU’s Carbon Removal Certification Framework continues to develop.