By Carbon to Sea Initiative
Last Fall, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy created a Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) Fast-Track Action Committee (FTAC), composed of over a dozen federal departments and agencies, to evaluate different marine CDR pathways to shape policy and research on safe and effective technologies. This marked a significant development for the mCDR field, as the U.S. federal government prioritized and committed to evaluating ways the ocean can help combat climate change, instead of bearing the brunt of climate change. We previously highlighted the range of new government action in the ocean-climate space late last year, following the establishment of the FTAC.
In February, the FTAC released a request for information to shape the creation of an implementation plan for mCDR research, which will advance a key recommendation of the U.S. Ocean Climate Action Plan (OCAP). As part of this process, Carbon to Sea recently submitted our public comments, and we are grateful for the opportunity to participate in shaping the future of mCDR.
We appreciate the Administration’s establishment of the FTAC to drive mCDR research, policy, and public engagement. This inclusive approach, involving academia, private sector and philanthropy, is important in the early stages of field development. The federal government plays a crucial role in funding foundational research, supporting stakeholder engagement, and increasing transparency. In addition to monetary support, the U.S. must remain steadfast in accelerating progress and partnerships towards a responsible field that helps reach our climate goals.
You can read our full comments below.
