Assessment and Verification Tools for Ocean-based Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)

This proposal brings together two industrial partners (Planetary Hydrogen Inc., Pro-Oceanus Ltd.), the not-for-profit Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE), the Atlantic Regional Association of the multi-sector Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System (CIOOS-Atlantic), and a team of top academic researchers from Dalhousie University to speed up the development of verification and assessment tools for ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. Rapid development of CDRs is urgently needed to achieve the bold emission reduction targets legislated by Canada and the province of Nova Scotia on its path toward net-zero emissions. The project responds to a projected trillion-$ global market in carbon trading. At the core of the proposed activities is the design of an assessment and verification framework for ocean-based CDRs that includes a combination of autonomous ocean observations and numerical models, and its implementation in Halifax Harbour to verify carbon uptake and assess downstream effects of artificial ocean alkalinity enhancement. Co-design of the proposed Research & Development activities through a networked approach will shorten idea-to-market timelines and optimize implementation and assessment of the new technologies. The project will enable the province and Canada to seize new economic opportunities created by global commitments for achieving net-zero emissions, and to assume a world-leading role in the fight against climate change.