Upholding “Triple REAL” vision for ocean negative carbon emissions to advance global climate governance

Authors

Nianzhi JIAO, Carbon Neutralization Innovation Research Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, ChinaFollow
Chuanlun ZHANG, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Archaea Geo-Omics, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Tingwei LUO, Carbon Neutralization Innovation Research Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
Jihua LIU, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China

Keywords

Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions (ONCE); “Triple REAL” visions; global climate governance

Document Type

Strategy & Policy Decision Research

Abstract

Addressing climate change is a formidable challenge for humanity, and achieving the temperature control goals of the Paris Agreement cannot rely solely on greenhouse gas emission reductions—negative emissions are an inevitable solution. The ocean, as the planet’s largest active carbon reservoir, holds immense potential for negative emissions, yet there is no internationally recognized pathway to realize it. The UNESCO-IOC international program of Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions (ONCE) builds on the original theory of the microbial carbon pump (MCP) and integrates known ocean carbon sequestration mechanisms BCMS (standing for biological carbon pump, carbonate counter pump, MCP, solubility carbon pump) to propose feasible, scientifically sound, and legally compliant technical solutions. It establishes practical, reliable, and promising implementation pathways, forming a cohesive “theory–methodology–technical standards–application” framework. On this basis, the ONCE program proposes the “Triple REAL” visions, encompassing technical solutions (3R: realistic, reliable-ISO-certified, reproducible), implementation principles (3E: ecological, ethical, with equity), expected goals (3A: ambitious, actionable, achievable), and a governance framework (3L: legal, by London Protocol, with liability). This vision creates a systematic and actionable governance structure, develops a carbon credit foundational logic over the conventional “MRV principle” (monitoring, reporting, verification), and paves the way for incorporating ocean carbon credit into the global carbon market, supporting global climate governance.

First page

1736

Last Page

1744

Language

Chinese

Publisher

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences

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Recommended Citation

JIAO, Nianzhi; ZHANG, Chuanlun; LUO, Tingwei; and LIU, Jihua (2024) "Upholding “Triple REAL” vision for ocean negative carbon emissions to advance global climate governance," Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version): Vol. 40 : Iss. 10 , Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3724/j.issn.1000-3045.20251007002
Available at: https://bulletinofcas.researchcommons.org/journal/vol40/iss10/9