ASMASYS-2-C: Assessing Marine Carbon Removal: Synthesis, Scenarios & Governance
The removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, known as Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), is considered essential to achieving carbon neutrality. The ASMASYS project is tasked with the transdisciplinary assessment of the feasibility and desirability of various mCDR approaches.
A wide range of approaches to carbon dioxide removal have been proposed, including terrestrial, geological, and marine CDR (mCDR). The scientific and societal understanding of each appraoch varies greatly. In this project, strong emphasis is being put on the assessment of non-natural science aspects of the various approaches, including legal, social, ethical and political dimensions.
The project consists of four main lines of work. Firstly, the development of marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) scenarios in the European and wider international context. Second, the assessment framework developed in phase I of the project will be refined. Third, the application of this framework to selected explorative scenarios of mCDR implementation. Finally, the creation of an overarching Social Sciences & Humanities Hub to address cross-cutting regulatory and governance questions.
In particular, the project will explore how qualitative foresight scenarios can complement quantitative (modelled) scenarios in anticipating and governing the diverse socio-ecological dynamics that will play a role in mCDR futures.
ASMASYS is funded by German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and runs from 2024 to 2027.
Societal relevance
This project brings together diverse stakeholders to co-develop transdisciplinary scenarios. This facilitates transdisciplinary knowledge co-production about mCDR at the science-policy interface. Furthermore, it widens the understanding of feasible and desirable mCDR science-policy developments. Additionally, it helps identify policy frameworks or instruments which may be robust across a wide range of plausible mCDR futures.The resulting scenarios will provide policy-makers and society with detailed information on potential pathways for marine CO2-removal and governance.