The EU warns oceans can't absorb enough CO2 for net zero, urging stronger regulations and investments to limit global warming to 1.5C.
The European Marine Board has issued a warning that oceans alone cannot absorb enough carbon dioxide to achieve net zero emissions. The report emphasizes that only increased spending and stronger regulations will help keep global warming below 1.5°C this century, according to Norwegian SciTech News.
Released at COP30 in Brazil, the report states that marine carbon dioxide removal technologies are not yet mature enough for large-scale deployment. Helene Muri of the Norwegian Institute of Air Research noted that while oceans can contribute, this must be done with safeguards and verifiable impacts.
Proposed methods for carbon removal include cultivating seaweed, fertilizing phytoplankton, restoring coastal ecosystems, enhancing ocean alkalinity, and using electrochemical extraction. However, Dr. Muri cautioned that none of these methods can currently guarantee long-term sequestration or measurable results.
The study underscores the importance of cutting fossil fuel emissions. Dr. Muri highlighted that renewable energy sources like solar and wind can replace carbon-intensive power, although sectors such as aviation and shipping will continue to produce residual emissions.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, achieving the 1.5°C target necessitates net negative emissions, requiring the removal of 5-10 gigatons of CO2 annually by the end of the century. Global emissions were recorded at 42.4 gigatons in 2024, as per CICERO data.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed COP30 leaders, stating that overshooting the 1.5°C limit by the early 2030s is inevitable but reversible. He described this threshold as a red line for humanity and urged governments to take immediate action using proven tools to reduce emissions.
