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14:00 to 15:00 BST / 09:00 to 10:00 ET

The ocean covers 70 percent of Earth’s surface and acts as a vast storehouse for both carbon dioxide and heat, amongst providing other ecosystem services vital to humanity. Whilst climate change is imperilling marine life, the ocean is increasingly recognised as being a key ally in the fight against climate change. Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) is a relatively novel ocean-based solution to climate change that has theoretically huge mitigation potential but is controversial because of environmental and social concerns.

This webinar will showcase ‘Principles for responsible and effective marine carbon dioxide removal development and governance’, a ‘Blue Paper’ commissioned by the Ocean Panel and launched just ahead of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference. The paper outlines key principles to guide responsible mCDR development, including the need for high-quality, transparent scientific research; robust monitoring and reporting frameworks; meaningful community engagement; and consistent application of best practices. The paper highlights the importance of strong public oversight of mCDR research. Governments are identified as key actors in ensuring rigorous standards for publicly funded trials, updating national permitting systems, and establishing clear, science-based regulatory pathways. 

During this webinar, members of the author team will:

  • Provide an overview of leading mCDR technologies, including their efficacy, costs, scalability, potential social and environmental impacts, and monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) needs;
  • Discuss national and international governance considerations for mCDR, such as the application of the London Convention and London Protocol;
  • Propose how national governments can progress responsible mCDR development.

Participants

  • Professor Wil Burns, Co-Director of the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal, American University
  • Professor Dr David Ho, Professor at University of Hawaiʻi, University of Hawai’i
  • Dr Natalya Gallo, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Bergen
  • Professor Christopher Pearce, Principal Marine Geoscientist, National Oceanography Centre
  • Carolyn Savoldelli, Senior Research Associate, World Resources Institute 

Moderator

  • Professor Scott Doney, Joe D. and Helen J. Kington Professor in Environmental Change, University of Virginia 

Learn more: oceanpanel.org | Twitter: @oceanpanel 

Register for this webinar