Countries take precautionary approach to marine geoengineering

Parties to the London Convention and London Protocol have identified four marine geoengineering techniques for further analysis, to ensure that ocean-based measures to mitigate climate change prioritize the protection of the marine environment.

The Parties to the London Convention and Protocol (LC/LP) - the treaties that regulate the dumping of wastes and other matter at sea - met in London (28 November to 1 October) to discuss a range of issues, including marine geoengineering, microplastics in the ocean and and carbon capture and storage, among others.

In their discussions, countries prioritized four geoengineering techniques for further legal and technical analysis, including:

• ocean alkalinity enhancement;
• ocean sinking of biomass for carbon storage;
• marine surface albedo enhancement involving reflective materials; and
• marine cloud brightening.

The LC/LP governing bodies will work to refine the definitions for each of the four prioritized techniques, with the aim of seeking approval at the next Meeting of the Parties in 2025.

Parties continue to evaluate options for taking action on marine engineering, including through existing frameworks of the London Convention and Protocol and potential further regulation.

Parties have also identified the need to continue coordination with other international entities to both encourage the sharing of information and clarify the roles of these entities in the governance of marine geoengineering.

Work on the issue will continue via the Correspondence Group on Marine Geoengineering, which was established by the Scientific Groups and the Legal Intersessional Correspondence Group to advance discussions intersessionally and report to the next meeting.

The meeting also agreed to establish a roster of international independent experts capable of supporting Parties in assessing marine geoengineering activities, to be administered by the LC/LP Secretariat.

Read the full meeting summary for LC46-LP19