Concepts, methods and applied transition knowledge
The New Economy knowledge base brings together core concepts, methods and perspectives from the regenerative economy. Articles explain footprint, compliance, circular product design, regenerative strategy, food systems and regional policy in practical terms, with clear links to life-cycle assessment (LCA), social cost-benefit analysis (MKBA), CO2 footprint, carbon sequestration, biobased materials and circular business models.
Carbon Sequestration House
The Carbon Sequestration House is a decision framework that links ten carbon removal methods to societal policy objectives. It applies Quality Function Deployment (QFD), also known as the House of Quality, to carbon removal.
Quality Function Deployment is a method from product development that systematically links requirements to design choices in a house-shaped matrix. The Carbon Sequestration House translates this into policy: the requirements are the societal objectives of the Dutch National Environmental Vision, and the design choices are the ten IPCC methods of carbon removal.
How the house works
In the house the ten methods appear as columns and the policy objectives around circular economy, living environment, energy, water, soil, climate, agriculture and nature as rows. Each cell indicates whether a method contributes positively, neutrally or negatively to that objective. At the bottom the house totals the number of positive links across the 26 objectives per method. This makes it visible in a single overview which methods are linked to several objectives at once and which target a single goal.
Number of positive links. Natural methods such as reforestation, wetland restoration and blue carbon score 22 to 23 of the 26 objectives; soil carbon and biochar 22; ocean alkalinity 13; enhanced weathering 9 and ocean fertilisation 2. The technological methods score lower: BECCS 6 and direct air capture (DACCS/DOCCS) 3.
Application in practice
New Economy developed the Carbon Sequestration House within the Carbon Sequestration Market Study for the province of Gelderland, in collaboration with the provinces of Utrecht, North Holland and South Holland. The house helps policymakers weigh carbon removal against broader objectives and make an informed choice between green and grey methods. The design is by Jarr Geerligs.
Related terms
The Carbon Sequestration House
The Carbon Sequestration House maps which sequestration methods are linked to the societal objectives of the Dutch National Environmental Vision (NOVI). Each method is assessed against policy goals for the circular economy, living environment, energy, water, soil, climate, agriculture and nature.
The analysis shows that natural sequestration in particular is linked to several objectives at once: lower nitrogen emissions, cleaner water, healthy food, biobased building materials and new economic opportunities. Technological sequestration more often targets a single goal, such as CO₂ reduction alone, and can temporarily raise nitrogen emissions. An integrated trade-off between green and grey methods is therefore preferable.
Links per method. Natural sequestration is linked to 22 to 23 of the 26 societal objectives of the National Environmental Vision; technological methods to 3 to 6.
All terms, searchable
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