Policy & Communications

We work alongside many partners to unlock public funding for OAE and advocate for governance frameworks that can promote responsible and effective research.

What We’re Doing

Government plays a critical role in providing support and regulatory guardrails for innovation and knowledge development in ocean-based CDR – like it does in the climate space broadly.

Public funding is an essential complement to early investment from the private sector and philanthropy — helping to promote high-quality research towards safely and permanently reducing atmospheric CO2. Leading global and national scientific bodies have identified OAE as a high-potential climate solution, and financial analysts have cited ocean-based CDR as an industry with significant economic potential.

Governments have a valuable opportunity to lead the way on research support for OAE and reap the climate and economic rewards in the coming years. Just in 2023 and 2024, the U.S. government has made historic investments of nearly $61.5 million to advance the ocean-climate space.

That funding is a complement to the work of the White House Fast-Track Action Committee on marine CDR, the Ocean Climate Action Plan, the interagency National Oceanographic Partnership Program, DOE’s ARPA-E program, and the DOE and NOAA memorandum of agreement. Carbon to Sea continues to advocate for further federal investment and supportive policy, with particular focus on the promise of OAE.

Global Policy Priorities

Carbon to Sea works to engage policymakers and public agencies on OAE’s potential, secure federal investment and partnerships for high-quality research, and promote a responsible regulatory framework for research efforts. Our policy priorities include:

Unlock Public Funding

Expanding existing government programs or creating new ones when needed for oCDR research.

Establish Clear, Responsible Legal Frameworks

Clarifying regulatory and permitting pathways for responsible oCDR research to occur.

Design and Secure Public Incentives

Incentivizing and enabling oCDR research through scientifically rigorous tax policy and inclusive public procurement efforts.

Policy Thought Leadership

U.S. CONGRESS | MARCH 2026

Factsheet about our Fiscal Year 2027 U.S. Appropriation Requests

CANADA SENATE | NOVEMBER 7, 2025

Leveraging Existing Policy to Increase Canadian RD&D Funding for Ocean-based Carbon Dioxide Removal

EUROPEAN COMMISSION | OCTOBER 31, 2025

Feedback to CRCF on Carbon Removals through Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement

CANADA SENATE | OCTOBER 21, 2025

Written Testimony to Inform Ocean Carbon Sequestration Report

THE TREASURY BOARD OF THE CANADA SECRETARIAT | APRIL 25, 2025

Input to Request for Information on Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Projects

EUROPEAN COMMISSION | FEBRUARY 17, 2025

Input to Call for Evidence on the proposed European Commission Oceans Pact

U.S. EPA | FEBRUARY 5, 2025

Input on Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Proposed MPRSA Permit

U.S. DOE | DECEMBER 31, 2024

Input on U.S. Carbon Management Strategy

U.S. NOAA | JULY 22, 2024

Input on Guidance Related to Designation of New Regional Ocean Partnerships

U.S. EPA | JULY 11, 2024

Input on Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution MPRSA Permit Application for In-water OAE Research

UNFCCC OCEAN AND CLIMATE CHANGE DIALOGUE | JUNE 13, 2024

Input to the UNFCCC Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue 2024

U.S. DOE | MAY 15, 2024

Input on Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchasing (CO2RP) Challenge

U.S. FAST TRACK ACTION COMMITTEE ON mCDR | APRIL 23, 2024

Input on U.S. Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Research Plan

U.S. CONGRESS | MARCH 2024

Report on Congressional Action Needed to Accelerate Ocean-Based Carbon Dioxide Removal Solutions

    Recent Policy Updates