Journal of Science Policy & Governance
Volume 26, Issue 01 | June 16, 2025

Policy Memo
​Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal: NOAA Policy Priorities for Efficacy and Risk Reduction 

Jennifer Jordan
  • George Mason University, Environmental Science and Public Policy Program, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
​​
​Corresponding author: [email protected] ​​
Keywords: carbon dioxide removal; climate change; ocean ecosystems
https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG250103

Executive Summary

As the urgency to address the escalating climate crisis grows, innovative solutions for atmospheric carbon removal are being fast-tracked by the federal government, including marine carbon dioxide storage, referred to as marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR). The escalation of federal funding for, and development of, mCDR technologies far outpaces our understanding of the environmental risks and impacts these approaches may have on the ocean and climate. To ensure responsible mCDR development and minimize unintended repercussions, we propose that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) give top consideration to the following areas when shaping mCDR priorities: 1) deep-sea research; 2) mCDR environmental risk analysis and impact; and 3) quality-assured measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification methods. In particular, avoiding environmental risk to the deep ocean should be prioritized. These actions will ensure that NOAA meets its stated objectives of evaluating all mCDR pathways for safety and efficacy and supporting foundational research on the ocean’s baseline functioning. ​

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Background header image courtesy of European Marine Board
Jennifer Jordan is a PhD candidate at George Mason University in Environmental Science and Public Policy (science concentration). Jennifer studies the impact climate change is having on forest ecosystems with a focus on forest carbon sequestration. She is a pre-doctoral fellow at ForestGEO Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, VA. Jennifer plans to pursue a career that balances forest ecology and climate change research with science policy and communication related to climate change. 
​
Acknowledgments 
The author thanks her environmental policy professor, Dr. K.L. Akerlof of George Mason University, for valuable input and feedback during the development of this article. 

Disclaimer 
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of George Mason University or any other affiliated institution or agency.

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