Navigating Potential Hype and Opportunity in Governing Marine Carbon Removal

Abstract

As the technical and political challenges of land-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approaches become more apparent, the oceans may be the new “blue” frontier for carbon drawdown strategies in climate governance. Drawing on lessons learnt from the way terrestrial carbon dioxide removal emerged, we explore increasing overall attention to marine environments and mCDR projects, and how this could manifest in four entwined knowledge systems and governance sectors. We consider how developments within and between these “frontiers” could result in different futures—where hype and over-promising around marine carbon drawdown could enable continued time-buying for the carbon economy without providing significant removals, or where reforms to modeling practices, policy development, innovation funding, and legal governance could seek co-benefits between ocean protection, economy, and climate.

Broaden Research on Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement to Better Characterize Social Impacts

“…In this paper, we argue that developing OAE “responsibly” requires close attention to the social outcomes of different approaches, but that our ability to anticipate these outcomes is at present severely constrained by several factors. , Our assessment draws on our own interdisciplinary social science research on OAE, which includes (1) engagement with relevant groups, e.g., local industries and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), in areas where OAE mesocosm studies are taking place (Bergen, Norway, and Gran Canaria, Spain), (2) participatory evaluation of OAE life-cycle assessments (e.g., with industries of potential relevance to OAE, including lime production and desalination), and (3) interviews with experts involved in OAE research and development (R&D) (e.g., researchers in academia and OAE start-ups). (A full description of these activities is provided as Supporting Information.)…”

Climate benefits of seaweed farming: estimating regional carbon emission and sequestration pathways

“…Oceans also play a significant, natural role as a carbon sink, taking up an estimated 2.8 Gt C / year in the 2011-2020 period, equivalent to approximately 30% of annual fossil fuel emissions [8] . As such, several strategies have emerged to try to enhance the rate of carbon sequestration and storage in the ocean by protecting, restoring, or enhancing productivity of wild marine plants, macroalgae, and phytoplankton [6,9,10] .…”

A Code of Conduct Is Imperative for Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal Research

“…Although attention surrounding CDR has traditionally focused on land-based techniques to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, interest in various ocean-based CDR solutions is now skyrocketing among policymakers, funders, scientists and entrepreneurs (Boettcher et al, 2021). Ocean CDR approaches differ widely in their potential scales, the ways they aim to manipulate or restore ocean systems, and the degree of human intervention they require.…”