Ocean Visions has selected Fugro as the lead on the development of the first comprehensive framework for assessing the impact and risks of marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR).
The Environmental Impact Assessment Framework (EIAF) will serve as a valuable tool for ensuring mCDR efforts are carried out in a responsible, equitable, and effective manner.
mCDR refers to a range of climate solutions that tackle atmospheric CO2 via ocean water. While regarded as a promising decarbonization pathway, this sector is still in need of further research to determine its exact environmental impact and carbon-tackling scope.
The framework being developed by Ocean Visions and Fugro would be relevant to a number of mCDR approaches, including ocean alkalinity enhancement, growing macroalgae and microalgae, direct ocean capture, and more.
Ocean Visions embarked on a mission to facilitate the creation of this framework by bringing together a team of experts on ocean science, environmental impact assessment, carbon dioxide removal, and policy.
Fugro was selected to lead this multidisciplinary team, in cooperation with US-based Integral Consulting and the National Oceanography Centre in the UK.
Together, this group of experts will focus on delivering a framework stemming from the best available science, creating practical tools for both researchers and regulators, and fostering sector communication and collaboration through a transparent and approachable development process.
For a period of 24 months, the involved parties will engage with stakeholders globally to ensure that the framework delivered in the end is rigorous, implementable, and relevant to different geographies worldwide.
Relevant: Ocean Visions Launches New mCDR Ecosystem Database To Streamline Sector Communication
The team will issue a draft of the EIAF that will be available for public feedback, and Ocean Visions plans to publish the completed framework in 2027.
Ocean Visions CEO Brad Ack stated, “Marine carbon dioxide removal has the potential to become a powerful tool in the fight to stop climate change—but first it must be able to pass the dual tests of safety and effectiveness.”
“Fugro brings deep expertise in environmental impact assessments, framework development, and offshore environmental monitoring, making them an ideal partner to lead this foundational work toward scalable ocean-based solutions.”
