Oceans 2050 has released findings suggesting that seaweed farming can significantly mitigate climate change. These results are published in the journal Nature Climate Change.
The study, titled “Carbon burial in sediments below seaweed farms matches that of Blue Carbon habitats,” represents the first global assessment of carbon burial rates beneath seaweed farms.
Conducted across 20 seaweed farms on five continents, the research shows that these farms can sequester carbon at rates comparable to established coastal ecosystems like mangroves and seagrasses.
Key findings include:
- Seaweed farms bury carbon at rates similar to those of mangroves and seagrasses.
- Older and larger seaweed farms demonstrate greater carbon storage potential.
- Expanding seaweed farming globally could potentially remove up to 140 million tons of CO2 annually by 2050.
Oceans 2050 President Alexandra Cousteau highlighted the study’s potential to attract investments in sustainable aquaculture as a climate solution.
Chief Scientist Professor Carlos Duarte noted that seaweed farming offers a scalable, nature-based method for carbon removal, benefiting biodiversity and food security.
The findings also stress the importance of developing carbon credit frameworks for seaweed farming. This would enable the integration of this Blue Carbon strategy into existing carbon markets.
The research is part of Oceans 2050’s Global Seaweed Project, launched in September 2020. It provides a scientific basis for creating a verified carbon credit methodology for seaweed aquaculture.
The project aims to support climate mitigation efforts while emphasizing the social impact of seaweed farming. Over 99% of participating farmers are from coastal communities in developing countries, with many being women.
In 2021, the Global Seaweed Project received the prestigious Keeling Curve Award for its efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The research was funded by several organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Bezos Earth Fund.
