Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Abiotic marine carbon dioxide removal
Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) pathways utilize the ocean's physical circulation, biogeochemical processes, and marine ecosystems to remove atmospheric CO₂ and durably store it in various forms. To safely deploy mCDR technologies and ensure precise carbon accounting, advanced forecasting and monitoring methodologies are essential, as these pathways both affect and rely on the dynamic ocean regime and marine life, including its intrinsic uncertainties. High-quality mCDR projects prioritize rigorous carbon measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) in addition to equally rigorous MRV of the ocean ecosystem and marine life (eMRV) to mitigate harm. The methodologies and protocols required for mCDR projects are under active development and are being continuously refined as new data emerges. Due to the emergent, high-stakes nature of this field, enhanced rigor is imperative, and the following criteria have been developed to reflect that standard.
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Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) pathways utilize the ocean's physical circulation, biogeochemical processes, and marine ecosystems to remove atmospheric CO₂ and durably store it in various forms. To safely deploy mCDR technologies and ensure precise carbon accounting, advanced forecasting and monitoring methodologies are essential, as these pathways both affect and rely on the dynamic ocean regime and marine life, including its intrinsic uncertainties. High-quality mCDR projects prioritize rigorous carbon measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) in addition to equally rigorous MRV of the ocean ecosystem and marine life (eMRV) to mitigate harm. The methodologies and protocols required for mCDR projects are under active development and are being continuously refined as new data emerges. Due to the emergent, high-stakes nature of this field, enhanced rigor is imperative, and the following criteria have been developed to reflect that standard.
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Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) pathways utilize the ocean's physical circulation, biogeochemical processes, and marine ecosystems to remove atmospheric CO₂ and durably store it in various forms. To safely deploy mCDR technologies and ensure precise carbon accounting, advanced forecasting and monitoring methodologies are essential, as these pathways both affect and rely on the dynamic ocean regime and marine life, including its intrinsic uncertainties. High-quality mCDR projects prioritize rigorous carbon measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) in addition to equally rigorous MRV of the ocean ecosystem and marine life (eMRV) to mitigate harm. The methodologies and protocols required for mCDR projects are under active development and are being continuously refined as new data emerges. Due to the emergent, high-stakes nature of this field, enhanced rigor is imperative, and the following criteria have been developed to reflect that standard.
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Abiotic marine CDR
Social harms, benefits, and environmental justice
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Develop a social harms and benefits plan with consideration of potential impacts on fisheries, aquaculture, and existing coastal industries.
Implement strategies for community engagement with consideration of preventing and addressing any misperceptions regarding potential risks associated with project activities.
Minimize disruption of coastal businesses or those relying on the ocean.
Ensure local traditional and Indigenous practices are not disrupted by project activities.
Project developers should
Actively engage with local communities and provide education on the regional ocean, ocean stewardship, and how project activities interact with the coastal and oceanic ecosystem.
Address significant concerns from local communities, stakeholders, and fisheries through community education and, when appropriate, research and development with a third party or modifying the project plans prior to large-scale project implementation.
Evaluate how project activities can improve existing climate and social inequities, including near major feedstock sources and processing facilities.
Support local fisheries and aquaculture through partnerships involving co-benefits and profit sharing.
Provide employment opportunities to local communities including those historically marginalized.
Social harms, benefits, and environmental justice
Social harms, benefits, and environmental justice
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Develop a social harms and benefits plan with consideration of potential impacts on fisheries, aquaculture, and existing coastal industries.
Implement strategies for community engagement with consideration of preventing and addressing any misperceptions regarding potential risks associated with project activities.
Minimize disruption of coastal businesses or those relying on the ocean.
Ensure local traditional and Indigenous practices are not disrupted by project activities.
Project developers should
Actively engage with local communities and provide education on the regional ocean, ocean stewardship, and how project activities interact with the coastal and oceanic ecosystem.
Address significant concerns from local communities, stakeholders, and fisheries through community education and, when appropriate, research and development with a third party or modifying the project plans prior to large-scale project implementation.
Evaluate how project activities can improve existing climate and social inequities, including near major feedstock sources and processing facilities.
Support local fisheries and aquaculture through partnerships involving co-benefits and profit sharing.
Provide employment opportunities to local communities including those historically marginalized.
Social harms, benefits, and environmental justice
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Develop a social harms and benefits plan with consideration of potential impacts on fisheries, aquaculture, and existing coastal industries.
Implement strategies for community engagement with consideration of preventing and addressing any misperceptions regarding potential risks associated with project activities.
Minimize disruption of coastal businesses or those relying on the ocean.
Ensure local traditional and Indigenous practices are not disrupted by project activities.
Project developers should
Actively engage with local communities and provide education on the regional ocean, ocean stewardship, and how project activities interact with the coastal and oceanic ecosystem.
Address significant concerns from local communities, stakeholders, and fisheries through community education and, when appropriate, research and development with a third party or modifying the project plans prior to large-scale project implementation.
Evaluate how project activities can improve existing climate and social inequities, including near major feedstock sources and processing facilities.
Support local fisheries and aquaculture through partnerships involving co-benefits and profit sharing.
Provide employment opportunities to local communities including those historically marginalized.
Social harms, benefits, and environmental justice
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Develop a social harms and benefits plan with consideration of potential impacts on fisheries, aquaculture, and existing coastal industries.
Implement strategies for community engagement with consideration of preventing and addressing any misperceptions regarding potential risks associated with project activities.
Minimize disruption of coastal businesses or those relying on the ocean.
Ensure local traditional and Indigenous practices are not disrupted by project activities.
Project developers should
Actively engage with local communities and provide education on the regional ocean, ocean stewardship, and how project activities interact with the coastal and oceanic ecosystem.
Address significant concerns from local communities, stakeholders, and fisheries through community education and, when appropriate, research and development with a third party or modifying the project plans prior to large-scale project implementation.
Evaluate how project activities can improve existing climate and social inequities, including near major feedstock sources and processing facilities.
Support local fisheries and aquaculture through partnerships involving co-benefits and profit sharing.
Provide employment opportunities to local communities including those historically marginalized.
Abiotic marine CDR
Environmental harms and benefits
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Develop eMRV protocols with consideration of the regional and relevant global oceanic regime, ecosystem health, all effluents discharged from project activities, and ecosystem responses.
Implement strategies to mitigate potential harm caused by project activities.
Monitor all effluents, site-specific reactions, and ecosystem responses from project activities, at clearly defined intervals on an ongoing basis.
Develop and integrate specific eMRV plans for all keystone, vulnerable, sensitive, and endangered species that could be affected by project activities.
Identify and define thresholds of harm for any changes to the oceanic regime and ecosystem caused by project activities.
Implement plans for suspending project activities if the project causes harm or exceeds established thresholds. Include timely reporting and communication with local authorities and communities.
Implement eMRV protocols for appropriate geospatial locations (e.g., depth) that span the project’s duration and a defined period after project completion.
Establish a baseline of the health of the marine ecosystem and relevant global and regional oceanic regime. Report all assumptions and uncertainties.
Establish the baseline impacts on the marine ecosystem from all relevant pre-existing base facilities (e.g., desalination facility) processes, emissions, and disturbances, prior to project initiation.
Use scientific studies, protocols, and monitoring methodologies to ensure sufficiently high accuracy (e.g., high-resolution ocean models, remote sensing, and autonomous platforms).
Quantify and integrate inherent uncertainties into the eMRV plan.
Assess potential impacts from project activities using available data and by conducting studies through an approved third party. Transparently share essential data relating to environmental impacts with the local community and broader scientific community.
Project developers should
Transparently share all data relating to the project with local communities and the broader scientific community.
Use data from field trials and mesocosm studies to gather insights into potential large-scale impacts on and responses resulting from the project's activities.
Evaluate and incorporate climate change impacts on the oceanic regime and ecosystem into assessments for establishing potential acceptable risk levels for project activities.
Collaborate with local research institutions to advance studies on sustainable ocean management, eMRV methodologies, and the protection of marine food systems.
Monitor all pre-existing base facility effluents, emissions, relevant site-specific reactions and disturbances at clearly defined intervals on an ongoing basis.
Consult with pre-existing facilities and other relevant local industries to identify potential opportunities to increase the environmental safety of external processes.
Environmental harms and benefits
Environmental harms and benefits
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Develop eMRV protocols with consideration of the regional and relevant global oceanic regime, ecosystem health, all effluents discharged from project activities, and ecosystem responses.
Implement strategies to mitigate potential harm caused by project activities.
Monitor all effluents, site-specific reactions, and ecosystem responses from project activities, at clearly defined intervals on an ongoing basis.
Develop and integrate specific eMRV plans for all keystone, vulnerable, sensitive, and endangered species that could be affected by project activities.
Identify and define thresholds of harm for any changes to the oceanic regime and ecosystem caused by project activities.
Implement plans for suspending project activities if the project causes harm or exceeds established thresholds. Include timely reporting and communication with local authorities and communities.
Implement eMRV protocols for appropriate geospatial locations (e.g., depth) that span the project’s duration and a defined period after project completion.
Establish a baseline of the health of the marine ecosystem and relevant global and regional oceanic regime. Report all assumptions and uncertainties.
Establish the baseline impacts on the marine ecosystem from all relevant pre-existing base facilities (e.g., desalination facility) processes, emissions, and disturbances, prior to project initiation.
Use scientific studies, protocols, and monitoring methodologies to ensure sufficiently high accuracy (e.g., high-resolution ocean models, remote sensing, and autonomous platforms).
Quantify and integrate inherent uncertainties into the eMRV plan.
Assess potential impacts from project activities using available data and by conducting studies through an approved third party. Transparently share essential data relating to environmental impacts with the local community and broader scientific community.
Project developers should
Transparently share all data relating to the project with local communities and the broader scientific community.
Use data from field trials and mesocosm studies to gather insights into potential large-scale impacts on and responses resulting from the project's activities.
Evaluate and incorporate climate change impacts on the oceanic regime and ecosystem into assessments for establishing potential acceptable risk levels for project activities.
Collaborate with local research institutions to advance studies on sustainable ocean management, eMRV methodologies, and the protection of marine food systems.
Monitor all pre-existing base facility effluents, emissions, relevant site-specific reactions and disturbances at clearly defined intervals on an ongoing basis.
Consult with pre-existing facilities and other relevant local industries to identify potential opportunities to increase the environmental safety of external processes.
Environmental harms and benefits
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Develop eMRV protocols with consideration of the regional and relevant global oceanic regime, ecosystem health, all effluents discharged from project activities, and ecosystem responses.
Implement strategies to mitigate potential harm caused by project activities.
Monitor all effluents, site-specific reactions, and ecosystem responses from project activities, at clearly defined intervals on an ongoing basis.
Develop and integrate specific eMRV plans for all keystone, vulnerable, sensitive, and endangered species that could be affected by project activities.
Identify and define thresholds of harm for any changes to the oceanic regime and ecosystem caused by project activities.
Implement plans for suspending project activities if the project causes harm or exceeds established thresholds. Include timely reporting and communication with local authorities and communities.
Implement eMRV protocols for appropriate geospatial locations (e.g., depth) that span the project’s duration and a defined period after project completion.
Establish a baseline of the health of the marine ecosystem and relevant global and regional oceanic regime. Report all assumptions and uncertainties.
Establish the baseline impacts on the marine ecosystem from all relevant pre-existing base facilities (e.g., desalination facility) processes, emissions, and disturbances, prior to project initiation.
Use scientific studies, protocols, and monitoring methodologies to ensure sufficiently high accuracy (e.g., high-resolution ocean models, remote sensing, and autonomous platforms).
Quantify and integrate inherent uncertainties into the eMRV plan.
Assess potential impacts from project activities using available data and by conducting studies through an approved third party. Transparently share essential data relating to environmental impacts with the local community and broader scientific community.
Project developers should
Transparently share all data relating to the project with local communities and the broader scientific community.
Use data from field trials and mesocosm studies to gather insights into potential large-scale impacts on and responses resulting from the project's activities.
Evaluate and incorporate climate change impacts on the oceanic regime and ecosystem into assessments for establishing potential acceptable risk levels for project activities.
Collaborate with local research institutions to advance studies on sustainable ocean management, eMRV methodologies, and the protection of marine food systems.
Monitor all pre-existing base facility effluents, emissions, relevant site-specific reactions and disturbances at clearly defined intervals on an ongoing basis.
Consult with pre-existing facilities and other relevant local industries to identify potential opportunities to increase the environmental safety of external processes.
Environmental harms and benefits
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Develop eMRV protocols with consideration of the regional and relevant global oceanic regime, ecosystem health, all effluents discharged from project activities, and ecosystem responses.
Implement strategies to mitigate potential harm caused by project activities.
Monitor all effluents, site-specific reactions, and ecosystem responses from project activities, at clearly defined intervals on an ongoing basis.
Develop and integrate specific eMRV plans for all keystone, vulnerable, sensitive, and endangered species that could be affected by project activities.
Identify and define thresholds of harm for any changes to the oceanic regime and ecosystem caused by project activities.
Implement plans for suspending project activities if the project causes harm or exceeds established thresholds. Include timely reporting and communication with local authorities and communities.
Implement eMRV protocols for appropriate geospatial locations (e.g., depth) that span the project’s duration and a defined period after project completion.
Establish a baseline of the health of the marine ecosystem and relevant global and regional oceanic regime. Report all assumptions and uncertainties.
Establish the baseline impacts on the marine ecosystem from all relevant pre-existing base facilities (e.g., desalination facility) processes, emissions, and disturbances, prior to project initiation.
Use scientific studies, protocols, and monitoring methodologies to ensure sufficiently high accuracy (e.g., high-resolution ocean models, remote sensing, and autonomous platforms).
Quantify and integrate inherent uncertainties into the eMRV plan.
Assess potential impacts from project activities using available data and by conducting studies through an approved third party. Transparently share essential data relating to environmental impacts with the local community and broader scientific community.
Project developers should
Transparently share all data relating to the project with local communities and the broader scientific community.
Use data from field trials and mesocosm studies to gather insights into potential large-scale impacts on and responses resulting from the project's activities.
Evaluate and incorporate climate change impacts on the oceanic regime and ecosystem into assessments for establishing potential acceptable risk levels for project activities.
Collaborate with local research institutions to advance studies on sustainable ocean management, eMRV methodologies, and the protection of marine food systems.
Monitor all pre-existing base facility effluents, emissions, relevant site-specific reactions and disturbances at clearly defined intervals on an ongoing basis.
Consult with pre-existing facilities and other relevant local industries to identify potential opportunities to increase the environmental safety of external processes.
Abiotic marine CDR
Additionality and baselines
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Establish a baseline of the relevant oceanic regime through historical data and monitoring methodologies that includes variability ranges, significant outlier events, and inherent uncertainties. Document and transparently share assumptions and uncertainties.
Establish relevant baseline data for all pre-existing base facilities and processes, prior to initiating the project.
Additionality and baselines
Additionality and baselines
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Establish a baseline of the relevant oceanic regime through historical data and monitoring methodologies that includes variability ranges, significant outlier events, and inherent uncertainties. Document and transparently share assumptions and uncertainties.
Establish relevant baseline data for all pre-existing base facilities and processes, prior to initiating the project.
Additionality and baselines
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Establish a baseline of the relevant oceanic regime through historical data and monitoring methodologies that includes variability ranges, significant outlier events, and inherent uncertainties. Document and transparently share assumptions and uncertainties.
Establish relevant baseline data for all pre-existing base facilities and processes, prior to initiating the project.
Additionality and baselines
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Establish a baseline of the relevant oceanic regime through historical data and monitoring methodologies that includes variability ranges, significant outlier events, and inherent uncertainties. Document and transparently share assumptions and uncertainties.
Establish relevant baseline data for all pre-existing base facilities and processes, prior to initiating the project.
Abiotic marine CDR
Measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Develop a social harms and benefits plan with consideration of potential impacts on fisheries, aquaculture, and existing coastal industries.
Implement strategies for community engagement with consideration of preventing and addressing any misperceptions regarding potential risks associated with project activities.
Minimize disruption of coastal businesses or those relying on the ocean.
Ensure local traditional and Indigenous practices are not disrupted by project activities.
Project developers should
Actively engage with local communities and provide education on the regional ocean, ocean stewardship, and how project activities interact with the coastal and oceanic ecosystem.
Address significant concerns from local communities, stakeholders, and fisheries through community education and, when appropriate, research and development with a third party or modifying the project plans prior to large-scale project implementation.
Evaluate how project activities can improve existing climate and social inequities, including near major feedstock sources and processing facilities.
Support local fisheries and aquaculture through partnerships involving co-benefits and profit sharing.
Provide employment opportunities to local communities including those historically marginalized.
Measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification
Measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Conduct a life-cycle assessment (LCA) with consideration of processes such as mineral dissolution and gas exchange.
Use high-quality monitoring methodologies to quantify CDR and report assumptions and uncertainties.
Identify conservative upper and lower bounds of the project's anticipated CDR volumes within a specific time frame for quantification of an uncertainty budget.
Assess and incorporate data variability and inherent uncertainties into the baseline.
Implement an MRV plan that includes region-specific and relevant global processes, accounting for ocean circulation and biogeochemical cycles.
Regularly update the project’s MRV plan to incorporate the best available science and monitoring tools and techniques.
Directly monitor the relevant properties and chemical composition of project feedstocks, products, intermediates, and by-products. Predict and assess any potential responses upon discharge into seawater that could impact the project’s CDR efficacy.
Ensure proper carbon accounting for all end uses and fates of captured CO₂ to avoid double counting.
Project developers should
Use energy with low associated emissions and provide the electricity emissions factor and the latest emissions factor for the local electrical grid if purchasing electricity from the grid. The use of marginal emissions factors may be appropriate, depending on grid conditions.
Measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Conduct a life-cycle assessment (LCA) with consideration of processes such as mineral dissolution and gas exchange.
Use high-quality monitoring methodologies to quantify CDR and report assumptions and uncertainties.
Identify conservative upper and lower bounds of the project's anticipated CDR volumes within a specific time frame for quantification of an uncertainty budget.
Assess and incorporate data variability and inherent uncertainties into the baseline.
Implement an MRV plan that includes region-specific and relevant global processes, accounting for ocean circulation and biogeochemical cycles.
Regularly update the project’s MRV plan to incorporate the best available science and monitoring tools and techniques.
Directly monitor the relevant properties and chemical composition of project feedstocks, products, intermediates, and by-products. Predict and assess any potential responses upon discharge into seawater that could impact the project’s CDR efficacy.
Ensure proper carbon accounting for all end uses and fates of captured CO₂ to avoid double counting.
Project developers should
Use energy with low associated emissions and provide the electricity emissions factor and the latest emissions factor for the local electrical grid if purchasing electricity from the grid. The use of marginal emissions factors may be appropriate, depending on grid conditions.
Measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Conduct a life-cycle assessment (LCA) with consideration of processes such as mineral dissolution and gas exchange.
Use high-quality monitoring methodologies to quantify CDR and report assumptions and uncertainties.
Identify conservative upper and lower bounds of the project's anticipated CDR volumes within a specific time frame for quantification of an uncertainty budget.
Assess and incorporate data variability and inherent uncertainties into the baseline.
Implement an MRV plan that includes region-specific and relevant global processes, accounting for ocean circulation and biogeochemical cycles.
Regularly update the project’s MRV plan to incorporate the best available science and monitoring tools and techniques.
Directly monitor the relevant properties and chemical composition of project feedstocks, products, intermediates, and by-products. Predict and assess any potential responses upon discharge into seawater that could impact the project’s CDR efficacy.
Ensure proper carbon accounting for all end uses and fates of captured CO₂ to avoid double counting.
Project developers should
Use energy with low associated emissions and provide the electricity emissions factor and the latest emissions factor for the local electrical grid if purchasing electricity from the grid. The use of marginal emissions factors may be appropriate, depending on grid conditions.
Abiotic marine CDR
Durability
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Predict and monitor relevant global and regional changes to the oceanic regime that pose a risk of releasing carbon stored within the ocean.
Regularly update durability calculations with project data and the latest scientific research.
Implement long-term plans for specifically monitoring the durability of captured CO₂ well after project completion. Transparently share relevant data with the scientific community.
Monitor for conditions and processes, at all relevant points in the project’s facility, that could result in CO₂ outgassing and/or secondary carbonate precipitation.
Disclose the biogeochemical model used to predict the fate of the captured CO₂.
Disclose the use of CO₂ as a feedstock, and the risk of CO₂ reversal from any non-durable product or commodity.
Follow guidance set forth for durability of direct air capture when storing pure CO₂ (e.g., as in DOR projects).
Project developers should
Seek long-term monitoring solutions for storage, such as through regulatory takeover as envisioned by the European Union Carbon Capture and Storage Directive.
Durability
Durability
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Predict and monitor relevant global and regional changes to the oceanic regime that pose a risk of releasing carbon stored within the ocean.
Regularly update durability calculations with project data and the latest scientific research.
Implement long-term plans for specifically monitoring the durability of captured CO₂ well after project completion. Transparently share relevant data with the scientific community.
Monitor for conditions and processes, at all relevant points in the project’s facility, that could result in CO₂ outgassing and/or secondary carbonate precipitation.
Disclose the biogeochemical model used to predict the fate of the captured CO₂.
Disclose the use of CO₂ as a feedstock, and the risk of CO₂ reversal from any non-durable product or commodity.
Follow guidance set forth for durability of direct air capture when storing pure CO₂ (e.g., as in DOR projects).
Project developers should
Seek long-term monitoring solutions for storage, such as through regulatory takeover as envisioned by the European Union Carbon Capture and Storage Directive.
Durability
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Predict and monitor relevant global and regional changes to the oceanic regime that pose a risk of releasing carbon stored within the ocean.
Regularly update durability calculations with project data and the latest scientific research.
Implement long-term plans for specifically monitoring the durability of captured CO₂ well after project completion. Transparently share relevant data with the scientific community.
Monitor for conditions and processes, at all relevant points in the project’s facility, that could result in CO₂ outgassing and/or secondary carbonate precipitation.
Disclose the biogeochemical model used to predict the fate of the captured CO₂.
Disclose the use of CO₂ as a feedstock, and the risk of CO₂ reversal from any non-durable product or commodity.
Follow guidance set forth for durability of direct air capture when storing pure CO₂ (e.g., as in DOR projects).
Project developers should
Seek long-term monitoring solutions for storage, such as through regulatory takeover as envisioned by the European Union Carbon Capture and Storage Directive.
Durability
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Predict and monitor relevant global and regional changes to the oceanic regime that pose a risk of releasing carbon stored within the ocean.
Regularly update durability calculations with project data and the latest scientific research.
Implement long-term plans for specifically monitoring the durability of captured CO₂ well after project completion. Transparently share relevant data with the scientific community.
Monitor for conditions and processes, at all relevant points in the project’s facility, that could result in CO₂ outgassing and/or secondary carbonate precipitation.
Disclose the biogeochemical model used to predict the fate of the captured CO₂.
Disclose the use of CO₂ as a feedstock, and the risk of CO₂ reversal from any non-durable product or commodity.
Follow guidance set forth for durability of direct air capture when storing pure CO₂ (e.g., as in DOR projects).
Project developers should
Seek long-term monitoring solutions for storage, such as through regulatory takeover as envisioned by the European Union Carbon Capture and Storage Directive.
Abiotic marine CDR
Leakage
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Predict, monitor, and report changes in the oceanic regime, regionally and globally, that could result in the release of CO₂ or unfavorably impact the carbon cycle elsewhere.
Monitor and mitigate disruptions to local coastal businesses or those relying on the ocean in a way that could lead to increased emissions outside the project boundary, including land-based and maritime activities.
Account for energy use induced by project activities and evaluate potential leakage from (1) upstream and downstream use of fossil-fuel energy sources and (2) electricity powering operations, including grid-related emissions from power purchase and use.
Account for the counterfactual use of feedstocks and any increased production demand induced by consuming those feedstocks for project activities.
Leakage
Leakage
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Predict, monitor, and report changes in the oceanic regime, regionally and globally, that could result in the release of CO₂ or unfavorably impact the carbon cycle elsewhere.
Monitor and mitigate disruptions to local coastal businesses or those relying on the ocean in a way that could lead to increased emissions outside the project boundary, including land-based and maritime activities.
Account for energy use induced by project activities and evaluate potential leakage from (1) upstream and downstream use of fossil-fuel energy sources and (2) electricity powering operations, including grid-related emissions from power purchase and use.
Account for the counterfactual use of feedstocks and any increased production demand induced by consuming those feedstocks for project activities.
Leakage
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Predict, monitor, and report changes in the oceanic regime, regionally and globally, that could result in the release of CO₂ or unfavorably impact the carbon cycle elsewhere.
Monitor and mitigate disruptions to local coastal businesses or those relying on the ocean in a way that could lead to increased emissions outside the project boundary, including land-based and maritime activities.
Account for energy use induced by project activities and evaluate potential leakage from (1) upstream and downstream use of fossil-fuel energy sources and (2) electricity powering operations, including grid-related emissions from power purchase and use.
Account for the counterfactual use of feedstocks and any increased production demand induced by consuming those feedstocks for project activities.
Leakage
Abiotic marine CDR
These criteria build on and extend the considerations included under the essential principles for high-quality CDR.
Project developers must
Predict, monitor, and report changes in the oceanic regime, regionally and globally, that could result in the release of CO₂ or unfavorably impact the carbon cycle elsewhere.
Monitor and mitigate disruptions to local coastal businesses or those relying on the ocean in a way that could lead to increased emissions outside the project boundary, including land-based and maritime activities.
Account for energy use induced by project activities and evaluate potential leakage from (1) upstream and downstream use of fossil-fuel energy sources and (2) electricity powering operations, including grid-related emissions from power purchase and use.
Account for the counterfactual use of feedstocks and any increased production demand induced by consuming those feedstocks for project activities.
Abiotic marine CDR
Abiotic marine CDR
Abiotic marine CDR
Other considerations
Other considerations
Other considerations
Permits and Law
Permits and Law
Permits and Law
Project developers must
Conduct the project in accordance with all applicable regional, national, and international laws, regulations, and best practices for ocean-based activities that are not necessarily legally binding.
Adhere to any applicable regulations from the London Convention and London Protocol regarding marine geoengineering activities and any non-coastal discharge into the ocean, the principles laid out in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (even if the host country has not ratified it), maritime zone regulations, regulations on exploitation of ocean resources, exclusive economic zones, and high seas boundaries and use rights.
Mitigate negative impacts on international maritime activities.
Consult with relevant agencies regarding all applicable coastal zone management plans, new or existing permits, and certifications.
Engage in public comment periods and stakeholder consultations as part of the permitting process.
Project developers should
Work with national and international governmental bodies to cooperatively share relevant information and establish clear, sustainable, and equitable governance for the deployment of mCDR.
Demonstrate consistency with coastal zone management plans of adjacent coastal states, where applicable.
Assess project compliance with evolving governance frameworks, including the potential impact of the new Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) for activities in international waters.
Consult with local permitting agencies and identify any areas where the project should go above and beyond requirements to mitigate environmental harm and ensure the durability of mCDR.
Scalability
Scalability
Scalability
Project developers must
Evaluate and incorporate any necessary adjustments to the eMRV and MRV plan that may result from increasing the scale of the mCDR project, such as a decrease in the signal-to-noise ratio and increased uncertainty.
Predict and mitigate potential social and environmental harms and benefits associated with increasing the scale of the project, including those linked to increased feedstock consumption.
Predict and evaluate the potential impacts of halting project operations (at scale) to the environment and durability of stored carbon.
Develop plans to stop project operations if ecosystem harm is detected or harmful thresholds are exceeded. Incorporate a risk assessment of termination shock and a remediation strategy for the project at anticipated scales.
Follow the guidance set forth in this document for scalability of direct air capture when applicable.
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