Conclusion

Abstract

Ocean carbon dioxide removal (CDR) may be subject to multiple layers of international and domestic law, resulting in significant legal complexity and uncertainty. This book’s analysis of potentially applicable international and domestic legal frameworks shows that ocean CDR activities are rarely specifically addressed in those frameworks, and when they are, they are often considered from a position of strong skepticism. As this conclusion explains, the lack of a comprehensive legal framework for ocean CDR is in tension with the urgent need for further research, including in ocean testing, to fully evaluate its benefits and risks. In turn, there is an urgent need to develop international and domestic legal frameworks that facilitate necessary research, while also ensuring that it occurs in a safe and responsible manner. This conclusion discusses possible avenues for developing such frameworks.