Approach

Achieving ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets by 2030 and enabling the shift towards a climate neutral and climate resilient society by 2050 will require the implementation of a portfolio of CDR approaches.

Ocean-based methods may play a significant role in meeting those objectives as the scale of atmospheric CO₂ removal that could be achieved, coupled with their potential to help mitigate other climate change impacts such as ocean acidification, may offer advantages over terrestrial-based CDR approaches. Facilitating the environmentally safe, socially acceptable and economically viable implementation of ocean-based CDR approaches requires an enhanced understanding of the efficacy, durability, scalability and co-benefits/risks of each technique, as well as the development of appropriate monitoring mechanisms, regulatory pathways, and market opportunities that are supported by local communities. SEAO2-CDR addresses these challenges by developing holistic and multidisciplinary assessment and evaluation frameworks that will help guide and inform their implementation potential.

Recent advancements in our knowledge base of ocean-based CDR approaches have primarily focused on specific methods or techniques, with particular emphasis on demonstrating or quantifying their theoretical sequestration potential under realistic conditions through in-situ mesocosm experiments and pilot studies. Whilst such ‘bottom-up’ validations remain critical for enabling accurate upscaling and environmental impact assessments, it is equally imperative that the ‘top-down’ market drivers and social acceptability barriers are properly understood to avoid the development of commercially or conceptually non-viable approaches. SEAO2-CDR will achieve this by enabling the parameterisation, evaluation and integration of scientific, social, political, ethical, legal and commercial knowledge relevant to ocean-based CDR through three Core Themes (CTs):

CT1. Technical evaluation of ocean-based CDR approaches

CT2. Governance frameworks for ocean-based CDR update at scale

CT3. Implementation policies and pathways for ocean-based CDR

View a larger version of the following SEAO2-CDR schematic.