International Experts Discuss Governance of Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal
How can Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) be regulated internationally in the future? This question was at the center of the workshop “Exploratory Talks on Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Governance under the London Protocol”, which took place on 4 November 2024. The event was jointly organized by the German Environment Agency, the University of Waterloo, and the CDRmare Social Sciences and Humanities Hub.
National and international experts from academia and practice exchanged views on the political, social, technological, and economic dimensions of mCDR. Discussions addressed possible development scenarios for the next 10–20 years, existing regulatory challenges—such as gaps in the London Protocol—, as well as different financing models, ranging from government support to philanthropic funding.
A key takeaway from the discussions was that the governance of mCDR requires continued in-depth dialogue and interdisciplinary collaboration. Future workshops will therefore provide space for more detailed analysis of regulatory issues. At the same time, participants emphasized that upcoming events should aim for even broader international participation—particularly by including experts from the Global South.
