Farming Breakthrough New Research Validates Seaweed Farming as a Powerful Blue Carbon Solution
Oceans 2050, led by President Alexandra Cousteau and Chief Scientist Professor Carlos Duarte, has released groundbreaking findings in the journal Nature Climate Change that underscore the immense climate mitigation potential of seaweed farming. The study, titled “Carbon burial in sediments below seaweed farms matches that of Blue Carbon habitats,” is the first comprehensive empirical analysis of carbon burial rates beneath seaweed farms worldwide.
Conducted across 20 seaweed farms spanning five continents, this research confirms that seaweed farming sequesters carbon in underlying sediments at rates comparable to those of vegetated coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses.
This pivotal study demonstrates that seaweed farming offers dual benefits: not only does it help address global food security and economic development, but it also provides a powerful tool for climate change mitigation.
Key findings of the study include:
Seaweed farms sequester carbon at rates similar to those of mangroves and seagrasses, which are well-known for their carbon storage capabilities.
Older and larger seaweed farms exhibit higher carbon storage potential, indicating that sustainable expansion can lead to long-term climate benefits.
If scaled globally, seaweed farming could remove up to 140 million tons of CO2 annually by 2050, significantly contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.
Alexandra Cousteau, President of Oceans 2050, emphasized the importance of these findings, stating, “This research provides compelling evidence of the critical role that seaweed farming can play in addressing the climate crisis.
By quantifying its carbon sequestration potential, we hope to unlock new avenues for investment in sustainable aquaculture as a climate solution.”
Professor Carlos Duarte, the study’s lead author and Chief Scientist of Oceans 2050, highlighted the broader implications: “Seaweed farming offers a scalable, nature-based solution for carbon removal while delivering co-benefits such as biodiversity enhancement, economic opportunities, and food security. This research is a pivotal step towards integrating seaweed aquaculture into global climate strategies.”
One of the most significant outcomes of this study is the urgent need for the development of robust frameworks to facilitate carbon credit methodologies for seaweed farming.
By integrating this promising Blue Carbon strategy into global carbon markets, policymakers, investors, and coastal communities can leverage its benefits for both economic growth and environmental sustainability. Establishing strong marine spatial planning and sustainability protocols will be essential to maximizing the full potential of seaweed farming as a cornerstone of the regenerative Blue Economy.
These findings stem from Oceans 2050’s Global Seaweed Project, launched in September 2020, which aims to provide scientific validation for seaweed’s role in carbon sequestration. The study marks a crucial milestone in advancing the seaweed industry and lays the groundwork for a verified carbon credit methodology.
By quantifying the sequestration capabilities of seaweed farms, the Global Seaweed Project is paving the way for the creation of a new Blue Carbon market that supports climate mitigation while fostering the growth of a sustainable ocean-based economy.
Beyond its environmental impact, the Global Seaweed Project highlights the profound social benefits of seaweed farming. Over 99% of participating farmers in the study come from coastal communities in developing countries, with the vast majority being women.
This underscores the potential of seaweed farming to drive gender equity, improve food security, and enhance local resilience to climate change. By creating sustainable livelihoods, seaweed aquaculture can empower communities and contribute to global efforts toward economic and social sustainability.
The significance of this work has not gone unnoticed.
In 2021, the Global Seaweed Project was honored with the prestigious Keeling Curve Award, which recognizes innovative initiatives that effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project has received generous funding from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Bezos Earth Fund via WWF, the Grantham Foundation, and ClimateWorks Foundation.
These contributions have been instrumental in enabling groundbreaking research and advancing impactful initiatives in the field of sustainable aquaculture and climate resilience.
As the urgency to combat climate change intensifies, seaweed farming stands out as a promising, scalable, and nature-based solution that can deliver tangible environmental, social, and economic benefits. With continued research, investment, and policy support, the expansion of sustainable seaweed farming can play a transformative role in global climate strategies.
The findings of Oceans 2050’s study not only validate the carbon sequestration potential of seaweed farms but also set the stage for an emerging Blue Carbon economy that prioritizes sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience in the face of climate challenges.
