The National Academies released a 2026 update on marine carbon dioxide removal (CDR), covering recent research, technology developments, and private sector involvement. The report notes progress but says large-scale removal still faces major unknowns around measurement, verification, environmental impacts, and governance. It includes a new module on the state of marine CDR and expanded sections on ocean alkalinity enhancement and social dimensions. WHOI scientist Adam Subhas contributed to the report and led a field trial in the Gulf of Maine in 2025. The report stresses that viability depends not only on technology but also on public acceptance and regulatory frameworks. As marine CDR moves toward field testing, questions about scaling and credibility remain central.
