Ocean-based climate strategies are moving forward with a major development: the nonprofit Ocean Visions has chosen Fugro to lead the creation of a standardized Environmental Impact Assessment Framework for marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) technologies.
This effort marks a key step toward scaling up mCDR projects, which aim to boost the ocean’s natural carbon storage capacity. By establishing a transparent, science-driven assessment process, the initiative seeks to build the trust needed for permitting and public support.
mCDR isn’t a silver bullet, but it could be a critical tool alongside emissions reductions. These technologies range from enhancing ocean alkalinity and growing seaweed to extracting CO₂ directly from seawater. Yet, despite the promise, these approaches still raise big questions: Are they safe for marine life? Do they actually work? And who decides whether they go ahead?
That’s where Fugro steps in. With decades of offshore experience under its belt, the company has built a reputation for assessing environmental risks in some of the planet’s most remote and fragile waters.
“Marine carbon dioxide removal has the potential to become a powerful tool in the fight to stop climate change—but first it must be able to pass the dual tests of safety and effectiveness,” said Brad Ack, CEO of Ocean Visions. He emphasized the importance of a framework that balances innovation with ecological responsibility.
Fugro’s Céline Gerson, Group Director for the Americas and President of Fugro USA, added: “We’ve spent decades helping industries assess and manage environmental risks in offshore environments. Now we’re applying that expertise to help ensure mCDR is done responsibly and earns public trust.”
This two-year project is not a solo effort. Fugro is teaming up with US-based Integral Consulting and the UK’s National Oceanography Centre to design, test, and refine the framework. By 2027, the final version will be publicly available—intended as a shared resource for researchers, regulators, and communities deciding whether to move forward with mCDR.
The framework is expected to play a foundational role in how future ocean carbon removal projects are reviewed, greenlit, and monitored, potentially shaping the direction of climate mitigation efforts in marine environments for years to come.
