EMB FSB #13 Monitoring, Reporting and Verification for mCDR

Meeting the Paris Agreement's climate goals requires, in addition to rapid greenhouse gas emission reduction that represents a priority, significant carbon dioxide removal (CDR), i.e., approaches that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. As a subset of CDR, marine CDR (mCDR) approaches could also play a role in reducing atmospheric CO2 concentrations, leveraging on the Ocean's capacity to absorb CO2, a process already responsible for sequestering approximately 25% of annual anthropogenic CO2 emissions. However, effective and transparent implementation of mCDR demands a robust, globally consistent monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) framework, encompassing greenhouse gas removal monitoring, transparent result reporting, and third-party verification.
The upcoming European Marine Board Future Science Brief #13 on Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification for marine Carbon Dioxide Removal presents key MRV challenges which include: accounting for greenhouse gases beyond CO2; defining baselines and additionality, where additionality in mCDR refers to the CO₂ removed by mCDR that would not have been sequestered in the absence of mCDR; quantifying the duration of carbon sequestration; performing life cycle assessments; evaluating environmental impacts; and addressing the co-deployment of different mCDR approaches. The report identifies the need for sustaining long-term Ocean carbon observing systems, as well as establishing new in situ observing facilities for the purpose of MRV. Significant knowledge gaps and uncertainties exist in modelling capabilities, and MRV regulations and governance still need further development. While challenges exist, ongoing research and collaborative efforts are paving the way for standardized, transparent, and reliable MRV frameworks. Such advancements are critical for ensuring that mCDR can contribute meaningfully to climate mitigation whilst safeguarding Ocean health and those who depend on it. The report's recommendations aim to bridge such knowledge gaps and establish standardized MRV protocols for mCDR.