SPRingBoard Environmental Law Podcast Episode 5: “Unlocking the Ocean Sink: Permitting and Deployment of Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies”

In the latest episode of the SPRingBoard Environmental Law Podcast, host Michael Hannaman explores one of the most promising and complex frontiers in climate innovation: Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR).

As global emissions continue to rise and the path to limiting warming to 1.5°C narrows, mCDR technologies are emerging as a key mitigation tool. These technologies leverage the ocean’s natural carbon cycle to capture and store CO₂, but questions remain about paths forward to large-scale deployment.

To unpack this topic, Michael is joined by Garrett Boudinot (founder and CEO of Vycarb) and Meg Holden (principal at SPR). Together, they examine the science, economics, and legal frameworks underpinning the mCDR field and discuss the social and environmental considerations that guide deployment. What are the key factors for evaluating whether mCDR technologies can truly deliver durable climate benefits? What do early pilot projects reveal about technical feasibility and regulatory hurdles? And as the field matures, how can innovators and policymakers work together to streamline permitting, build public trust, and maximize impact?

Click HERE to listen to the full episode. The podcast is available on Spotify, iHeart, Youtube, and Amazon. Production support for this episode was provided by Charlotte Hawes, Legal Marketing Assistant at SPR.