Decarbonizing aquaculture: Integrating technology, policy, and nature for Net-Zero blue food systems

Aquaculture plays a critical role in global food and nutrition security, supporting livelihoods and providing high-quality protein to nearly three billion people. However, rapid sectoral intensification has raised significant environmental concerns, particularly regarding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with feed production, energy consumption, and biogeochemical processes in aquatic systems. This review provides a comprehensive and structured synthesis of current knowledge on aquaculture carbon footprints and advances the field by proposing an integrated Net-Zero Aquaculture (NZA) framework that links carbon accounting, technological innovation, and policy mechanisms for climate-resilient food production. Drawing on life-cycle assessment (LCA) studies, digital monitoring technologies, and nature-based solutions, the review identifies the key emission hotspots, including feed manufacturing, on-farm energy use, and methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions from sediments. It critically evaluates mitigation strategies such as feed optimization, renewable-energy integration, waste valorization, and ecosystem-based approaches, highlighting system-specific trade-offs and implementation challenges. The study further examines emerging Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) methodologies tailored to aquaculture, emphasizing the need for standardized GHG accounting frameworks and enhanced digital traceability. In addition, the review assesses the role of policy and economic instruments, including carbon pricing, sustainability certification, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment frameworks, in accelerating decarbonization pathways. By integrating technological, ecological, and governance dimensions, this study presents a phased roadmap toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Overall, it positions aquaculture as a pivotal component of sustainable blue-food systems while highlighting critical research gaps and priorities for scalable and equitable Net-Zero transitions.