Rethinking Readiness: OAE is here and it is delivering
The field of carbon removal is moving fast, and Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) is one of the most promising, rapidly maturing approaches we have. In the past year alone, OAE has evolved from promise to proof, with real-world results, third-party oversight, and verified carbon removals. It’s time to update our narrative.
We’re Updating the Readiness Label
Just as we update emissions inventories and climate forecasts annually, we need to update our readiness frameworks to reflect lived progress in the field. CDR is dynamic: New science, better tools, and operational learning means today’s “early-stage” label can become obsolete in a matter of months. While some reports still categorize OAE as low-readiness, the truth on the ground tells a different story. In carbon removal, progress can happen fast, and in this case, it has: Planetary is the evidence.
Our data has contributed to growing third-party evidence that OAE is among the highest-performing pathways in terms of actual carbon removed. The issuance of 625.6 tonnes of verified CO2 removal credits to buyers like Stripe, Shopify, and British Airways marks a historic first for OAE. This shows that OAE is not just theoretical, it’s market-ready.
Planetary’s projects are operating in dynamic, real-world marine environments- not models or simulations- and delivering tangible results. Planetary’s pilot projects are not only safely operating under regulatory oversight, they’re also removing measurable, verifiable carbon. In fact, Planetary just became the first in the world to deliver independently verified OAE removals, which are now listed on the Isometric registry. This is not a hypothetical pathway any longer; it is real, regulated, and delivering.
Governance and Oversight Are Already Happening
Every aspect of Planetary’s work is conducted under approved permits, rigorous environmental assessments, and community-first strategies. Our academic partnerships with leading universities and public utilities such as wastewater treatment plants and power-generating stations reflect the scientific rigour and independent collaboration already built into the system.
Regulatory oversight isn’t a barrier; it’s a strength. It shows that this work is already held to high standards, and is actively meeting them.
Planetary’s work in Nova Scotia and other regions demonstrates that permitting, monitoring, and strong governance aren’t ‘someday’ ideas, they are active parts of OAE today. Collaborations with communities, regulators, and academics ensure safety and transparency are foundational, and are actively built into our business philosophy.
Measurement Will Keep Evolving. That’s a Good Thing.
Just like Earth systems, no climate solution is static. The protocols and MRV frameworks around OAE are improving in real time, with partners like Isometric helping to raise the bar. Readiness should be defined by responsibility- operating safely, transparently, and with demonstrable impact.
Isometric’s rigorous third-party review process ensures that our credits are held to the highest scientific and permanence standards in the industry. Their methodology includes a thorough lifecycle analysis, quantification frameworks that couple direct measurements with peer-reviewed ocean models, and conservative assumptions around permanence and leakage. Isometric has sent a new benchmark for credibility in carbon removal, and we are proud to meet that benchmark.
By undergoing Isometric’s process, our credits are not only measurable and verifiable, but they are trusted. This trust is what enables buyers like Stripe, Shopify, and British Airways to confidently invest in OAE as a high-integrity solution. Working with Isometric reinforces our commitment to transparency, accountability, and science-led innovation, which are values that guide each aspect of our approach.
OAE Isn’t Emerging: It Has Arrived
It’s time to recognize the momentum already underway and build on it with care, curiosity, and collaboration. The story of OAE is no longer one of just potential; it is one of practice.
Interested in removing carbon with Planetary? Get in touch with us here.
