Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is widely recognized as a necessary and distinct class of responses to address climate change. Indeed, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded in 2023 that there are no pathways to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global average temperature increases to 1.5℃ that do not involve large scale CDR. Interventions intended to meet the demand for CDR are currently anticipated to occur in both terrestrial and marine environments. The marine environment may also be the site of other forms of climate interventions, such as marine cloud brightening, sea ice restauration and ocean oxygenation. As the international community begins to develop and regulate ocean-based climate interventions techniques, there is a critical need for the exchange of ideas and knowledge between the scientists, government, industry and marine stakeholders operating within Canada concerning research and development, potential risks, and the regulatory framework to manage those risks.

MEOPAR, in partnership with the Waterloo Climate Intervention Strategies Lab (WatCISL), and with the support of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) will host two Canada-focused webinars:

• Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) – May 22, 2024 – 1pm-3pm EDT

• Other ocean-based climate interventions – June 5, 2024 – 1pm-3pm EDT

The overarching goal of this virtual webinar series is to bring together subject-matter experts, university and early-career researchers, industry representatives, civil society groups, and Canadian policymakers to discuss and reflect on emerging scientific and regulatory challenges and advancements related to ocean-based climate interventions in Canada. Our aim is to provide support to policymakers as they navigate the regulatory landscape associated with these technologies. Furthermore, we aspire to foster the establishment of a Canadian community of practice, facilitating ongoing collaborative efforts and knowledge exchange among stakeholders.