Strategic research priorities for marine climate interventions in Australia

[Geoengineering News]

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/18366503.2026.2665493#d1e487

Authors: Kerryn Brent, Lennart Bach, Andrew Lenton, Bronte Tilbrook, Tanveer M. Adyel, Harris Anderson, Mark Baird, Erin Bohensky, Philip Boyd, Damon Britton, Joseph Crosswell, Perran Cook, et al.

Published online: 12 May 2026

Abstract

Marine climate interventions (mCIs) are ocean-based approaches to support climate change mitigation and/or adaptation. Carbon dioxide removal approaches focus on reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations through enhancing ocean carbon uptake and storage. Solar radiation management proposals aim to shade and cool vulnerable marine ecosystems. How research is progressed into these two types of mCIs over the coming decade will be critical to enable responsible research and deployment, ensuring that Australian scientists and policymakers can make informed decisions. We consider the technical, social, and governance challenges that must be overcome in the next decade and identify three strategic priorities: (1) intensify research into current and future mCIs; (2) enhance Australia’s monitoring, reporting, and verification capabilities; (3) enact targeted governance and engagement strategies, ensuring the inclusion of affected communities and First Nations in research decisions. These are prerequisites to determine whether, how, and at what scale mCIs may be deployed as part of Australian climate policy.

Source: Taylor & Francis Online