Parties to the treaties which regulate the dumping of wastes at sea have adopted a statement identifying the need to carefully evaluate marine geoengineering techniques, which may have potential for mitigating the effects of climate change but may have adverse impacts on the marine environment.
The statement identifies four techniques which need priority evaluation, involving either carbon dioxide removal (CDR) or solar radiation modification (SRM):
- Enhancing ocean alkalinity (CDR);
- Macroalgae cultivation and other biomass for sequestration including artificial upwelling (CDR);
- Marine cloud brightening (SRM);
- Microbubbles/reflective particles/material (SRM).
The statement was adopted by the 44th Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Convention and the 17th Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Protocol, which met at the IMO Headquarters from 3-7 October 2022.
In the same meeting, the parties have also adopted an amendment to ensure that the dumping of sewage sludge at sea would be prohibited worldwide.
The statement notes that marine geoengineering should not be considered as a substitute for measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, there are investigations into the potential for marine geoengineering to mitigate the effects of climate change with multiple interests driving urgency for deployment.
The statement also recognizes the growing interest into marine geoengineering techniques and their potential to cause pollution or other adverse effects on the marine environment.
In 2008 Parties to the LP and LC adopted a resolution, which states that ocean fertilization activities fall within the purview of the LC/LP and that ocean fertilization activities other than legitimate scientific research should not be allowed.
A further resolution on the “Assessment Framework for Scientific Research involving Ocean Fertilization,” that proposed research projects should be assessed to determine if they qualify as legitimate scientific research.
Together, these resolutions apply to all LC Contracting Parties and continue to apply to LP Contracting Parties, pending the entry into force of the 2013 amendment to the London Protocol.
The 2013 amendment will, when in force create a legally binding regime providing a science based, global, transparent and effective regulatory and control mechanism for marine geoengineering.
The amendment enables the future regulation of marine geoengineering techniques that fall within the scope of the London Protocol and have the potential to cause widespread, long-lasting or severe impacts on the marine environment.