As the climate crisis deepens and ecosystems teeter on the edge, the global community is urgently seeking high-impact, scalable solutions. One of the most promising, yet underutilized, is ocean iron replenishment (OIR). This nature-based, marine rewilding method has the potential to sequester large quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and restore ocean ecosystems.
But to move from pilot studies to large-scale, responsible deployment, OIR needs more than innovation. It needs credible governance.
Here is how regulations and standards can be developed to ensure the responsible global deployment of OIR, fostering thriving oceans, and who needs to be at the table to make it happen.
Why Ocean Iron Replenishment deserves a second look
OIR involves adding trace amounts of iron to nutrient-rich, iron-poor ocean areas, under the right conditions. This stimulates phytoplankton growth, which captures CO₂ through photosynthesis. A portion of this carbon sinks to the deep sea, effectively removing it from the atmosphere for hundreds to thousands of years.
Beyond carbon removal, OIR may:
- Restore the base of the marine food chain, as phytoplankton is the solid foundation of the marine food chain
- Enhance biodiversity in iron-limited regions.
- Help cool global temperatures and stabilize weather systems through cloud formation. Phytoplankton produces dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a precursor to marine sulfate aerosols, which act as condensation nuclei for water(cloud) droplets which further have a cooling effect.
But scaling this solution responsibly requires rigorous standards and international cooperation.
Therefore, it is important that the following 6 steps will be followed and created to ensure a Responsible OIR Framework
- Science-First Deployment Protocols
OIR must be guided by independent, peer-reviewed science. That means robust environmental baselines, carbon accounting, and adaptive management plans informed by long-term monitoring. For these studies, it is important that several credible organizations are appointed to conduct these OIR activities in different geographies. These organizations must share their codes of conduct and findings of these first, crucial studies with each other, in order for a global OIR Rules of Procedure to be written. - International Legal Alignment
After the conclusions of these studies are gathered, these OIR Rules of Procedure must be included into already existing international maritime laws (like the London Protocol). It is probably also necessary to create a separate Global Protocol, where these existing (inter)national legislations can refer to. Ideally an organisation such as the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) would be best positioned to develop such a protocol. - Third-party certification
Within the OIR Global Protocol it needs to be clear when, where and under which conditions OIR can be deployed, but also which organizations are allowed to perform OIR.
Only the organisations and companies which are following a global protocol and are audited for following these procedures, can perform OIR to ensure transparency of OIR activities and the ability to continue to monitor its impact. Non-certified OIR activities will be penalized to prevent negative OIR use in our waters.
- Verified Carbon Accounting
To participate in global carbon markets, OIR must meet high-integrity MRV (monitoring, reporting, verification) standards, similar to terrestrial carbon projects. During the first OIR studies, carbon sequestration by the phytoplankton needs to be measured by credible carbon accounting partners. - Biodiversity Safeguards
Ecological co-benefits (like increased plankton diversity, overall increased marine life or fishery restoration) should be measured and needs to be a crucial benchmark during the OIR studies besides carbon sequestration. Collaboration with marine ecologists need to be part of the first orchestrated, large scale OIR studies. - Transparency, Equity, and Public Trust
Involving coastal communities, small island nations, and indigenous peoples is critical to equitable, just deployment. Local communities should be involved in the studies and their feedback should be included. Free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) should be non-negotiable during these studies and should become an integral part of a global protocol.
Who needs to be at the table?
To build a trusted global framework, a coalition of diverse influencers must align across science, policy, finance, and civil society:
International Institutions
- UNFCCC: Integrate OIR into global climate negotiations and carbon removal targets.
- London Protocol Parties: Expand existing agreements to allow responsibly scaled OIR.
- CBD & UNCLOS: Ensure OIR aligns with biodiversity protections and ocean governance treaties.
National Governments & Environmental Agencies
- EPA, EEA, climate ministries and ocean regulators must pilot legal pathways, fund research, and lead public engagement in their jurisdictions.
- Early mover countries (e.g. US, Australia, Chile, Norway) can lead by example and form “OIR testbed alliances.”
Scientific Bodies & Research Institutions
- Oceanographers, climate modelers, and ecologists must shape OIF deployment zones, safety thresholds, and impact metrics.
- Publicly funded, transparent field trials are essential to legitimacy.
Carbon Markets & Standards Organizations
- Groups like Verra, Gold Standard, Puro.Earth, and ICVCM must create dedicated methodologies for ocean carbon removal.
- Rating agencies and offset buyers must demand durability, measurability, and co-benefits.
Private Sector & Maritime Industry
- Shipping companies, logistics providers, and marine tech innovators are essential for deploying and maintaining OIR infrastructure.
- Carbon credit buyers, especially in hard-to-abate industries, can help finance early projects.
NGOs, Civil Society, and Indigenous Groups
- Community leaders must be empowered as stakeholders and not afterthoughts. Their knowledge, concerns, and stewardship traditions can strengthen OIR design and social license.
- NGOs should serve as watchdogs and bridge-builders to ensure accountability.
Local communities
- People living (relatively) close to the place where OIR is deployed, should be involved since the beginning of the study. They know their waters, how the biodiversity changed over time and will also notice the first signs of recovery of their waters. Their input needs to be included when a global protocol is developed.
The road ahead
OIR is not a silver bullet, but it is a scientifically plausible, quickly scalable, marine rewilding opportunity that is needed to recover our damaged oceans, whilst our negative impact on our waters should be reduced. The longer we wait to develop smart governance, the more likely we risk confusion, misuse, or public backlash.
With the right players at the table and a focus on transparency, science, and fairness — we can build a gold standard for ocean carbon removal that not only fights the climate crisis but helps to restore marine life.
About the author: Karlijn Arts is a Netherlands‑based green lobbyist and sustainability expert. She has extensive experience advising start‑ups and large multinationals on accelerating the energy- and chemical transition. Her work centers on advancing nature‑positive policies and practical solutions that strengthen healthy ecosystems. Arts is part of Oceanry’s international Advisory Board.
