MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL (mCDR)

Supporting responsible, science-informed pathways for emerging ocean-based climate solutions.

MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL (mCDR)

Supporting responsible, science-informed pathways for emerging ocean-based climate solutions.

The World Ocean Council (WOC) engages in marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) as part of its mission to advance sustainable and responsible ocean business solutions. As interest in mCDR grows, WOC provides a neutral platform for industry, science, policy, and civil society to explore its potential role in climate mitigation—while carefully considering environmental, social, and governance implications.

INTRODUCTION

The World Ocean Council (WOC) leads the Smart Ocean – Smart Industries (SO-SI) Programme to advance ocean data collection, sharing, and use as a foundation for safe operations, scientific understanding, and climate resilience.

SO-SI provides a neutral, trusted platform where ocean industries, scientific institutions, governments, and technology providers collaborate to expand global ocean observation – by leveraging vessels and water-based infrastructure already operating worldwide.

WHY mCDR IS BEING EXPLORED

Meeting global and EU climate goals will require rapid emissions reductions alongside a limited role for durable carbon dioxide removal. The ocean plays a central role in the global carbon cycle, and some marine pathways may offer long-term carbon storage potential.

At the same time, mCDR remains an early-stage and evolving field, with significant uncertainties related to effectiveness, environmental impacts, governance, and societal acceptance. Responsible evaluation and precautionary approaches are therefore essential.

WOC’s role in mCDR

WOC’s engagement in mCDR focuses on convening, assessment, and responsible market readiness rather than technology promotion.

WOC’s roles include:

Providing a neutral, trusted platform for dialogue across sectors
Supporting evidence-based assessment of emerging approaches
Helping to identify policy, market, and governance considerations relevant to ocean-based industries.
Facilitating collaboration between industry, science, policymakers, and civil society

Key activities

Global convening: mCDR discussions at COPs, the Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS), and the Global Blue Finance Summit (BlueFIN).
Industry coordination: Co-convening the mCDR Industry Coalition with the Carbon Business Council.
Insight and evidence: Industry surveys and thought leadership on mCDR.
Dialogue and learning: Blue Sparks webinars exploring scientific, policy, and market developments.
EU project leadership: Leading commercialisation-related work within the Strategies for Evaluation and Assessment of Ocean-based Carbon Dioxide Removal project.

The EU-funded SEAO2-CDR Project

Reaching the EU’s legally binding 2050 climate-neutrality target will require rapid emissions reductions alongside the development of durable carbon dioxide removal options. The SEAO2-CDR project brings together research institutions, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and civil society to develop an evidence-based framework for assessing ocean-based carbon dioxide removal approaches.

The project focuses on environmental integrity, social considerations, governance, and alignment with EU and international policy frameworks.

WOC’s role in SEAO2-CDR

Within SEAO2-CDR, the World Ocean Council leads Work Package 6: Commercialisation Frameworks.

WOC’s work focuses on:

Identifying market, policy, and regulatory barriers
Supporting dialogue between stakeholders
Contributing to a roadmap for credible and environmentally responsible pathways in Europe.

Would you like to find out more on the SEAO2-CDR project?

EU mCDR INDUSTRY SURVEY

As part of SEAO2-CDR, WOC is conducting an industry survey to better understand the current mCDR landscape in Europe and the UK.

If you are active in, or planning to engage with, mCDR in these regions, we invite you to participate.

SEAO2-CDR has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101081362.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS AND EVENTS

Marine carbon dioxide removal: diving in at the deep end (ClimeFi, 2025)

Understanding the emerging opportunities for marine CDR (ClimeFi, 2025)

From theory to practice: how marine CDR deals come to life (ClimeFi, 2025)

Blue Sparks Webinar: Sharing Key Advances in Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal

CALL FOR COLLABORATION

The World Ocean Council works with a wide range of stakeholders to support responsible, science-informed approaches to marine carbon dioxide removal.

If you are interested in collaboration, knowledge exchange, or contributing to ongoing dialogue and assessment, we invite you to connect with us.

PROGRAMME TEAM

WOC’s mCDR work is led by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in ocean industries, climate policy, finance, carbon markets, and stakeholder engagement.

Jill Storey

Ocean-based Carbon Dioxide Removal Advisor, World Ocean Council

Jennifer Arnau

Associate Director of Programmes (Operations), World Ocean Council

Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy

CEO, World Ocean Council

OUR mCDR NETWORK

WOC engages with a broad network of companies, research organisations, industry bodies, and other stakeholders active across the marine carbon dioxide removal ecosystem.