STATEMENT: Ocean Conservancy Commends Adoption of Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Assessment Frameworks

WASHINGTON – Today, during the 48th Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Convention and the 21st Meeting to the London Protocol, the International Maritime Organization body that regulates marine pollution, assessment frameworks were officially adopted for three marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) methods: ocean fertilization, ocean alkalinity enhancement, and biomass sinking. Dr. Amanda Carter, Ocean Conservancy’s director of climate science and innovation and a marine biologist with over a decade of experience, issued the following statement in response:   

“Cutting emissions is like turning off the tap: it’s essential, but it won’t mop up the water already on the floor. The International Panel on Climate Change has confirmed that to limit the impacts of climate change, past emissions must be removed from the air, but how this is done and if it should happen in the ocean requires rigorous assessment.

“Without guidelines, carbon removal could quickly turn into the wild west, with everyone staking a claim and no one checking the damage. We applaud the London Convention and London Protocol for providing governments with a common process for evaluating proposed research activities, assessing potential environmental risks, consulting stakeholders, and incorporating monitoring and oversight.

“The ocean is our largest climate ally, and we can’t treat it as an experiment without a safety net. Marine carbon dioxide removal must be built on rigorous science, strong governance, environmental safeguards, and meaningful community engagement.”

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ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY  

For more than 50 years, Ocean Conservancy has delivered effective, evidence-based solutions for the ocean and all who depend on it. Today, we continue to unite science, people and policy to protect our ocean from the greatest challenges it faces: climate change, plastic pollution and biodiversity loss. We are a 501(C)3 headquartered in Washington, D.C. that inspires a worldwide network of partners, advocates and supporters through our comprehensive and clear-eyed approach to ocean conservation. Together, we are securing a healthy ocean and a thriving planet, forever and for everyone. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky or Instagram.