URGENT UPDATE: A critical new report from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology has unveiled significant risks associated with turning the world’s oceans into carbon sinks. Released just moments ago at the ongoing COP30 climate conference in Brazil, this alarming study emphasizes that current marine carbon removal technologies are not yet ready for large-scale implementation.
Experts warn that without robust monitoring and verification systems, scaling up these methods could lead to unforeseen environmental consequences. The report highlights the necessity of prioritizing emissions cuts, especially as the global temperature rises dangerously close to the 1.5°C threshold.
Helene Muri, senior researcher at NILU and lead author of the report, stated, “The oceans can be part of the climate solution, but we need to strengthen the way we safeguard them before we scale things up.” This urgent message underscores the need for caution as nations strive to combat climate change.
With global CO2 emissions reaching 42.4 gigatons in 2024, the report stresses that immediate action must focus on established methods to cut emissions rather than unproven oceanic techniques. Muri reiterated, “We know how to cut emissions, and we have lots of methods that work. That has to take top priority.”
The report comes amid rising concerns that Earth’s temperature is accelerating faster than anticipated. During his opening remarks at COP30, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of the inevitability of a temporary overshoot beyond the critical 1.5°C limit within the coming years. He emphasized, “Let us be clear: the 1.5°C limit is a red line for humanity. It must be kept within reach.”
Marine carbon removal technologies aim to utilize the ocean’s natural ability to absorb carbon dioxide through various processes, including biological methods like stimulating plankton growth and chemical techniques to draw carbon directly from seawater. However, experts caution that these approaches are still in their infancy and lack the necessary safeguards.
Muri pointed out that while some marine strategies, such as restoring coastal ecosystems, show promise, the challenges of monitoring and verifying their effectiveness remain daunting. “If you’re storing it in the ocean, it’s a lot harder to govern and monitor. The ocean doesn’t stay put,” she said.
The report calls for a comprehensive framework for monitoring, reporting, and verifying these ocean-based carbon removal efforts to prevent potential environmental harm. As technologies advance, the need for a reliable and transparent carbon crediting system becomes increasingly vital.
Looking ahead, Muri highlighted that achieving net negative emissions will be essential for meeting climate targets. “We must have a net removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to get to 1.5°C,” she stated. The report indicates that countries will need to eliminate all feasible emissions while compensating for residual emissions through large-scale carbon removal efforts.
As the conversations around marine carbon removal continue to evolve, the report underscores that it is not a “miracle ocean fix to climate change.” Instead, it serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of safeguarding our oceans while exploring innovative climate solutions.
This urgent research urges immediate global attention to the potential risks of marine carbon dioxide removal, reinforcing that the path to a sustainable future must prioritize proven methods of emissions reduction first.
