UPDATE: A critical new report from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology raises alarm over the potential risks of transforming oceans into carbon sinks. Released during the ongoing COP30 climate conference in Brazil, experts warn that current marine carbon removal technologies are not ready for widespread deployment.
The report emphasizes that while the ocean holds promise for carbon dioxide absorption, the technologies in use today are too uncertain and must undergo rigorous monitoring and verification before being scaled up. With the 1.5°C global temperature threshold looming, researchers insist that cutting emissions must remain the main focus, highlighting that ocean-based methods should only be considered with careful oversight.
Helene Muri, a senior researcher at NILU and lead of the expert panel for the European Marine Board, stated, “This is about safeguarding the oceans for a common good. The oceans can be part of the climate solution, but we need to strengthen the way we safeguard them before we scale things up.”
The report outlines various marine carbon dioxide removal strategies, including biological approaches that enhance the growth of plankton and seaweed, and chemical techniques that extract CO2 from seawater. However, the panel emphasizes that until robust safeguards are established, expanding these methods poses significant environmental risks.
The urgency of the situation has been underscored by UN General Secretary António Guterres, who, during his opening remarks on November 6, stressed the troubling acceleration of global warming: “A temporary overshoot beyond the 1.5°C limit… is inevitable. The 1.5°C limit is a red line for humanity.”
The report highlights the need for immediate action on proven methods of emissions reduction, stating, “We know how to cut emissions, and we have lots of methods that work. That has to take top priority,” according to Muri.
As nations aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the necessity for carbon removal becomes apparent, particularly for sectors like aviation that are hard to decarbonize. Muri notes, “We must have a net removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to get to 1.5°C,” with estimates suggesting a need for the removal of between 5 to 10 gigatons of CO2 annually by the end of the century.
Despite some advancements in marine carbon removal technologies, many remain in early development stages. The report stresses the importance of establishing standards for monitoring, reporting, and verifying these methods to ensure environmental safety.
Muri points out the challenges of tracking carbon stored in the ocean, stating, “If you’re storing it in the ocean… it’s a lot harder to govern it and also monitor it.” The complexities of ocean dynamics make it critical to develop a clear framework for oversight.
With companies beginning to seek carbon credits for these technologies, the report underscores the need for reliable, transparent, and scientifically sound verification systems. Muri warns, “None of these methods are mature to use if you cannot verify impacts or where the carbon goes.”
While the report acknowledges the uncertainties surrounding marine carbon removal, it also indicates that future climate scenarios will likely demand such technologies to meet ambitious temperature goals. Muri concludes, “We don’t know all the threats of these immature methods yet… but we need to establish standards and clear up these issues before we can scale things up.”
As the world grapples with the urgent climate crisis, the message is clear: the oceans could play a crucial role in the solution, but only with the right precautions and controls in place. The time for action is now, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
