Marine geoengineering under the spotlight at IMO

South African chairs important IMO discussions on geoengineering

South African, Radia Razack, chaired the 48th Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Convention and the 21st Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Protocol which took place at International Maritime Organization Headquarters in London this week.

The meeting adopted new guidance aimed at ensuring marine geoengineering research avoids unacceptable impacts, amid growing interest in climate change mitigation technologies. 

Marine geoengineering involves methods to increase the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or store carbon for long periods. However, their potential impacts on marine ecosystems are not yet fully understood. 

The frameworks will help governments determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether proposed activities constitute legitimate scientific research and whether they can proceed without unacceptable risks to the marine environment. 

“At a time when marine geoengineering is attracting increasing scientific, commercial and public attention, they provide regulators and researchers with rigorous and transparent tools for assessing proposed activities and protecting the marine environment,” said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, who welcomed the achievement.

The frameworks provide a common structure for a precautionary approach for the following three marine geoengineering methods:  

◼︎ Ocean fertilization: Stimulating primary productivity in the ocean by adding nutrients to seawater to encourage phytoplankton growth, which absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; 
◼︎ Ocean alkalinity enhancement: Adding alkaline substances to seawater to increase the ocean's capacity to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide and counteract ocean acidification. 
◼︎ Ocean sinking of biomass: Deliberately placing biological material, such as marine or terrestrial plant matter, into the ocean to store carbon. 

Each framework covers initial screening, environmental assessment, risk management, decision-making and post-project review. Assessments can be revisited as new information becomes available. 

Under the frameworks, all proposals must demonstrate a legitimate scientific purpose, thoroughly assess environmental risks, ensure proper stakeholder consultation and peer review, and include rigorous monitoring and transparent reporting. 

The Parties emphasised that scientific knowledge remains limited, and that research should proceed cautiously, with environmental protection as the top priority. Further scientific research is needed before any activities beyond the research stage can be considered.  

The adoption of these frameworks reaffirms the essential role of the London Convention and London Protocol in responding to new and rapidly evolving human activities in the ocean. 

PHOTO: South African, Radia Razack, opens the Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties (London Convention 1972) and Meeting of Contracting Parties (London Protocol 1996) at IMO Headquarters.

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