PML Applications’ Manager for the Centre of Coastal Technologies, Sam Fawcett, is going to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, to present at the Carbon to Sea 2026 Annual Convening on 28th – 30th April.

Following his presentation at the 2025 annual convening to introduce the newly developed Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) Environmental Impact Monitoring Framework, at the 2026 annual convening, Sam will present the most recent version of the framework with an overview of how the framework was put together, an accompanying discussion, and print copies available. The presentation is at 08:10 in the safety session on the 29th April.

The OAE Environmental Impact Monitoring framework provides guidance on monitoring environmental impacts of OAE and safely progressing mCDR trials, drawing from established environmental standards, government regulations, lessons from past field trials, and community best practices. Over the past year, the framework has developed with input from experts in the field of marine carbon dioxide removal, particularly ocean alkalinity enhancement methods and has had a public open comment period.

Sam Fawcett said –

“The Environmental Monitoring Framework represents a significant step forward in ensuring that ocean alkalinity enhancement trials are conducted safely and responsibly. Its development has been very much a collaborative endeavour, drawing on the expertise of scientists, practitioners and regulators from across the marine carbon dioxide removal community, and it is stronger for it.”

The timeline of the Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Environmental Impact Monitoring Framework so far –

  • July 2024 – December 2025 – The framework was developed as part of a collaboration between PML Applications and the Carbon to Sea Initiative.
  • December 2024 – The framework was successfully processed through the first stage of review.
  • May 2025 – Sam Fawcett presented the framework at the Carbon to Sea Annual Convening and hosted a workshop about advancing responsible approaches to ocean alkalinity enhancement field trials. The workshop then used hypothetical scenarios to test the robustness of the framework and participants offered feedback. Read More
  • October 2025 – The initial draft of the framework was shared and opened to public review and comment. Read More
  • December 2025 – The public review period concluded and feedback was taken into consideration and actioned.
  • February 2026 – The framework was presented by Sam Fawcett for feedback at the Ocean Sciences Meeting 2026 in Glasgow. Read More
  • April 2026 – Sam Fawcett is presenting the latest version of the framework at the Carbon to Sea Annual Convening.

The Carbon to Sea Annual Convening is a gathering of ocean-climate researchers with a particular focus on carbon capture and storage solutions. This event brings together local and global partners who are invited to share knowledge and collaborate. If you are attending the Carbon to Sea 2026 Annual Convening and are interested in the work PML Applications’ Sam Fawcett is conducting in the field of OAE and mCDR, he would be delighted to connect. You can find him at –

Email: saf@pml.ac.uk

LinkedIn: @sam-fawcett95

Carbon to Sea Annual Convening 2026 | 28th – 30th April 2026 | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canda

 

Header Image Credit: Allison Shelley