By Carbon to Sea Initiative
Carbon to Sea joined [C]Worthy and the Environmental Defense Fund to host a conversation about the state of ocean-based carbon removal during Climate Week in New York. Panelists discussed the rapid progress that has been achieved as well as key challenges that lie ahead for advancing research and the development of a trusted sector.
Matt Long, CEO of [C]Worthy, explained that the exponential growth of marine carbon removal has been built on unique collaborations. “It's also critical to point out that there is a combination of both academic researchers and commercial actors that are engaged in conducting those field trials,” Long said. “What we're facing now is the opportunity to build an industry from scratch and to try to do it in the right way.”
As scientists continue to explore whether ocean-based carbon removal is safe and feasible, significant work also needs to be done to educate the public and keep them informed of research findings. “Public education, outreach and substantial engagement with stakeholders is going to be absolutely required in order to make progress,” Diane Hoskins, Global Policy Director at the Carbon to Sea Initiative, said. She also identified U.S. Congressional bipartisan support and the development of the Fast Track Action Committee as key signs of government support for continuing research.
Joanna Klitzke, the Procurement & Ecosystem Strategy Lead for Frontier, highlighted the role that early private sector investment and purchasing can play in developing the field. “Our perspective here is really that early buyers can be accelerative in advancing the learning of early projects if done with safe guardrails,” Kiltze said. “Purchases from the private side can help with policymaker engagement and interest.”
However, trust will need to be built in order to verify that approaches are having a measurable impact on carbon removal. Dr. Kristin Kleisner, Lead Senior Scientist and Associate VP for Oceans Science at EDF, advocated for funding of marine monitoring systems as well as the development of models. “Prioritizing identification of efficiencies with low-cost monitoring is going to be incredibly important.” Kleisner said. “And where we can find synergies with ongoing data collection needs for fisheries management or weather forecasting or ecosystem monitoring, I think that's important.”
As panelists were asked to conclude the conversation with wishes for the future of the industry, they called for continued collaboration, increased funding for strong public engagement and responsible oversight in order to develop an industry that is built around credible science.
