EDF Applauds Assessment Frameworks for Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal

(WASHINGTON) – Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has issued the following statement from John Mimikakis, EDF’s Vice President for Ocean Climate Innovation, in response to the adoption of assessment frameworks for three marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) approaches at the 48th Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Convention and the 21st Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Protocol: 

“EDF welcomes the adoption of assessment frameworks for ocean fertilization, ocean alkalinity enhancement, and biomass sinking by the London Convention and London Protocol (LC/LP). These frameworks represent an important step toward strengthening the governance of marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) research by providing governments with a common process for evaluating proposed research activities, assessing potential environmental risks, consulting stakeholders, and incorporating monitoring and oversight. 

“Climate change threatens both people and the ocean. Deep and rapid emissions reductions to prevent worsening impacts must be the first priority. Governments need reliable, scientific evidence to assess which carbon dioxide removal approaches, including mCDR techniques, can be implemented safely and effectively. While adoption of these frameworks does not resolve broader questions about whether, when, or under what conditions any marine CDR approach could or should be deployed, they help create a more transparent and consistent process for generating the evidence needed to inform science-based decisions.  

“EDF is committed to protecting the ocean’s existing climate-regulating functions while ensuring the evaluation of emerging mCDR approaches is grounded in rigorous science, strong governance, environmental safeguards, and meaningful community engagement. Together, we can ensure that decisions around whether, how, and where CDR can contribute to addressing climate change are guided by credible evidence, transparency, and the protection of the ocean, communities, and climate integrity."