In a year marked by historic progress in climate action, today we are excited to share a major breakthrough: Planetary Technologies has officially delivered the world’s first net Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) carbon removals. This milestone doesn’t just represent the very first 138 tonnes of carbon dioxide removal – it is a testament to what is possible when science, dedication, and collaboration across academia, industry, and communities come together.
Behind The Scenes: Bringing Ocean Alkalinity Credits to Life
A few years ago, the idea of ocean-based carbon removal was still in its infancy. Today, thanks to a shared vision and countless hours of work, our collaborations and partnerships have enabled us take real, meaningful steps to safely and responsibly scale this work. Planetary’s Halifax project, which produced these first credits, is a collective achievement powered by visionary partners and the tireless efforts of our science and operations teams. In this initial release, Shopify has received 96 tonnes and Stripe 42 tonnes, both as part of a prepurchase agreement through Frontier’s advance market commitment, reflecting the immense trust our partners place in this technology and its potential.
Reflecting on this milestone, CEO Mike Kelland shared, “Delivering the first net OAE credits is a monumental step, not only for Planetary but for the entire field of ocean-based carbon removal. Thanks to our pioneering partners, we’ve shown that this is both safe and effective at this small scale and responsibly cleared the way for the next set of credit deliveries.” For our team, this delivery means we’re on the right path- it’s a signal that our shared commitment to developing scalable solutions is truly making an impact.
The Power of Collaboration: Planetary’s Partners in Innovation
For us, OAE isn’t just a method for carbon removal; it’s a science we are pioneering in collaboration with some of the brightest minds in the field. Our partnerships with Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Power have been instrumental in developing and testing OAE at this scale. Through these relationships, we’ve not only deepened our understanding of how ocean alkalinity can safely and effectively remove CO2, but have also contributed to critical frameworks for validation and verification, essential for building the future of carbon removal. [Related: Read our 2023 Impact Report here]
The significance of this work extends far beyond the immediate scope of our project. Over the next year, a series of academic publications will further explore and disseminate results. Early results from this collaborative project demonstrate:
- Environmental safety at this scale: No measurable impacts on the local ecosystem were observed, and there was no accumulation of metals or toxins in the sediments
- Breakthrough measurement techniques: This project leveraged high-resolution local ocean modeling and innovative ocean observation approaches to refine the ability to monitor and assess the effectiveness of OAE.
- Scalable CDR insights: Cutting-edge ocean models were used to guide both monitoring efforts and to quantify the near-field carbon dioxide removal outcomes.
From publishing scientific studies to developing verification standards with our partner Isometric, the collaborative effort required to achieve these first removals has been immense. Every success has involved teams of Principal Investigators, scientists, and engineers – all working toward a shared goal of scaling ocean-based carbon removal in ways that are trustworthy and scientifically sound.
Why This Matters For The Planet – And The Future of Carbon Removal
This achievement is about more than one company’s innovation. It is about catalyzing progress across an entire field of carbon removal, offering a pathway for scalable, ocean-based solutions to become a core part of the fight against climate change. Every tonne of CO2 removed means a healthier ocean and a more stable climate, and our work underscores that collaboration is key to solving the complex challenges of our time.
We’re thrilled to reach this point, and we’re even more excited about what lies ahead. This is just the beginning of our journey to unlock the full potential of ocean alkalinity for carbon removal – and we’re deeply grateful to all of our partners and supporters who have helped make this possible.
Scaling Up, Scaling Out
Our vision for the future of ocean-based carbon removal focuses on scaling out, rather than simply scaling up. This means taking a holistic approach that prioritizes collaboration with local communities, integrating scientific rigor, and ensuring environmental stewardship at every step. By building trust and fostering partnerships, we aim to create a scalable, inclusive model that delivers climate impact while preserving the health of our oceans and well-being of the people who depend on them.
As we continue to expand and build on this milestone, we invite you to follow along with us. Together we can protect and restore the ocean and climate for generations to come.
