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Launch of EMB Future Science Brief on Monitoring, Reporting and Verification for marine Carbon Dioxide Removal

A group of internationally renowned marine scientists under the European Marine Board has published the Future Science Brief on ‘Monitoring, Reporting and Verification for marine Carbon Dioxide Removal’. The report is clear: rapid CO2 emissions reduction is the top priority. Carbon Dioxide Removal is not a substitute for emissions reductions; (marine) CDR can only be considered as a potential supplementary measure to support achievement of net-zero emissions. The report clarifies the current scientific, technical and regulatory challenges that must be addressed to develop appropriate and reliable MRV for any future mCDR activities, to safeguard Ocean health and those who depend on it. According to the State of Carbon Dioxide Removal report, marine CDR methods contribute less than 0.1% to current removal efforts, but this field is growing rapidly. The potential impacts on the marine environment are not yet clear but could be significant.

Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) methods, including those focused on marine environments, are currently being researched and piloted. They are seen as a means to address residual emissions and remove legacy carbon from the atmosphere once greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced, and to achieve the Paris Agreement's climate goals. 

Monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) is a structured process to collect, disclose and independently verify data on mCDR activities. The process includes quantifying CO2 removals, durability, uncertainties and environmental impacts. Going forwards, science-based guidance to develop these robust, transparent and scientific MRV frameworks for mCDR is needed.

The international working group of thirteen researchers has presented its findings and clear recommendations on the Monitoring, Verification and Reporting for mCDR activities. Under the leadership of Dr Helene Muri, Senior Researcher at NILU and Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway, and Dr Olivier Sulpis at CEREGE - Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, IRD, France, the team produced the report, which is being launched today by the EMB in a webinar. 

The document emphasises, among other points, research knowledge gaps that present major challenges for the practical implementation and efficiency of mCDR methods in the Ocean. Among them are uncertainties about the processes and impacts, and the duration for which the carbon could be stored in the Ocean.

“No mCDR method currently has a sufficiently robust, comprehensive MRV in place,” says Helene Muri. “This means that efficient and safe deployment of mCDR methods cannot be ensured at the moment”.

Building the foundations for responsible development

The working group emphasises that investing in science and innovation, such as Ocean observations and modelling approaches and infrastructure, can help to advance the MRV field.
“If we would like to consider the use of mCDR, we have to invest in knowledge generation for MRV now,” says Helene Muri. “That will enable the development of fit-for-purpose MRV frameworks if or when we reach large-scale mCDR implementation.”

The researchers also call for the development of robust governance to underpin MRV for mCDR. Helene Muri: “We do not currently have dedicated governance frameworks for MRV for mCDR”. There is a need for a comprehensive, regulatory framework for MRV that will overcome the fragmentation, inconsistencies and lack of global governance of existing MRV systems. 

Find out more about the Future Science Brief and download it here.

Find out more about the webinar ‘Monitoring, Reporting and Verification for marine Carbon Dioxide Removal’ launching the document here.