Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal: NOAA Policy Priorities for Efficacy and Risk Reduction

As the urgency to address the escalating climate crisis grows, innovative solutions for atmospheric carbon removal are being fast-tracked by the federal government, including marine carbon dioxide storage, referred to as marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR). The escalation of federal funding for, and development of, mCDR technologies far outpaces our understanding of the environmental risks and impacts these approaches may have on the ocean and climate. To ensure responsible mCDR development and minimize unintended repercussions, we propose that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) give top consideration to the following areas when shaping mCDR priorities: 1) deep-sea research; 2) mCDR environmental risk analysis and impact; and 3) quality-assured measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification methods. In particular, avoiding environmental risk to the deep ocean should be prioritized. These actions will ensure that NOAA meets its stated objectives of evaluating all mCDR pathways for safety and efficacy and supporting foundational research on the ocean’s baseline functioning.