Storing CO2, but the right way
Two Hereon studies call for clear framework conditions for CO2 sequestration in coastal areas. A digital twin for projections, an independent body for certification and new legal structures for monitoring. This should help projects for CO2 storage in coastal areas, according to two recent studies with lead authorship or participation of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon. The two papers were recently published in Environmental Research Letters and Elementa. The expertise of the Hereon authors is primarily aimed at politics and business.
So-called “blue carbon ecosystems” for CO2 storage on the coasts and in the ocean can be seagrasses, mangroves or salt marshes, for example. Whether they help to achieve the climate targets and how this can be achieved still needs to be researched in more detail. Projects for CO2 storage are increasingly being initiated by science and industry. But the risks need to be better researched and regulated, the authors say. International legislation is needed for this. Only then could a blue carbon industry be established.
Clear rules for an industry with a future
Regulation through legislation and evaluation are important, says lead author Dr. Bryce von Dam from the Hereon Institute of Carbon Cycles. However, this can only be achieved with an international, overarching organization for monitoring, reporting and verification.
Stronger links between business and science
Hereon Institute Director Prof. Dr. Helmuth Thomas and other researchers have come to the conclusion that the role of coastal and marine ecosystems can contribute to combating climate change. “But only if we find new international governance and legal frameworks.” This is also important in order to recognize unexpected side effects.
(Source: Hereon Press Release)
Read the complete Press Release:
==> Storing CO2, but the right way
Van Dam, B., Helfer, V., Kaiser, D., Sinemus, E., Staneva, J., & Zimmer, M. (2024): Towards a fair, reliable, and practical verification framework for Blue Carbon-based CDR. Environ. Res. Lett. 19, 081004, doi:10.1088/1748-9326/ad5fa3
Abstract:
While the (re-)establishment of Blue Carbon Ecosystems (BCE) is seen as an important tool to mitigate climate change, the credibility of such nature-based solutions has been marred by recent revelations ranging from weak accounting to malpractice. In light of this, there is a clear need to develop monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems towards the reliable, practical, and accurate accounting of additional and durable carbon dioxide removal (CDR). We propose the development of a Blue Carbon Ecosystem Digital Twin (BCE-DT) as a practical solution, integrating real-time data and models into What-If Scenarios of CDR aimed at the quantification of CDR additionality and durability. Critically, such a solution would be amenable to projects across a broad range in spatial scale and ecosytem type. In parallel, we propose the creation of an independent and not-for-profit Standards Development Organization (SDO) for the management of this Digital Twin and oversight of the certification process based on MRV. Considering the interwoven nature of the scientific and policy/legal needs we raise, an improved dialogue and collaboration between the scientific and policy communities is clearly needed. We argue that this BCE-DT, along with its oversight and implementation by a SDO, would fit this niche and support the fair and accurate implementation of MRV critically needed for BCE-based CDR to proceed.
Johnson, M., van Doorn, E., Hilmi, N., Marandino, C., McDonald, N., Thomas, H., Allemand, D., Algarin, L.D., Lebleu, L., Ho, D.T., Oloyede, M., Safa, A., & Swarzenski, P. (2024): Can coastal and marine carbon dioxide removal help to close the emissions gap? Scientific, legal, economic, and governance considerations. Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene, 12 (1), 00071, doi:10.1525/elementa.2023.00071
Abstract:
In this Policy Bridge, we present the key issues regarding the safety, efficacy, funding, and governance of coastal and marine systems in support of climate change mitigation. Novel insights into the likely potential of these systems for use in mitigating excess carbon dioxide emissions are presented. There may be potential for coastal blue carbon and marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) actions to impact climate change mitigation significantly over the rest of the 21st century, particularly post 2050. However, governance frameworks are needed urgently to ensure that the potential contribution from coastal and ocean systems to climate change mitigation can be evaluated properly and implemented safely. Ongoing research and monitoring efforts are essential to ensure that unforeseen side effects are identified and corrective action is taken. The co-creation of governance frameworks between academia, the private sector, and policymakers will be fundamental to the safe implementation of mCDR in the future. Furthermore, a radical acceleration in the pace of development of mCDR governance is needed immediately if it is to contribute significantly to the removal of excess carbon dioxide emissions by the latter half of this century. To what extent large-scale climate interventions should be pursued is a decision for policymakers and wider society, but adaptive legal, economic, policy, research, and monitoring frameworks are needed urgently to facilitate informed decision-making around any implementation of mCDR in the coming decades. Coastal and ocean systems cannot be relied upon to deliver significant carbon dioxide removal until further knowledge of specific management options is acquired and evaluated.
