$566.50
Carbon credits for climate change mitigation. Delivery year: 2027. Currently available: 986.41 metric tons.
Planetary Technologies is a leader in the Frontier Climate portfolio, pioneering Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) to permanently sequester carbon dioxide while restoring ocean health. By enhancing the ocean’s natural ability to absorb carbon—a process that normally takes geological timescales—Planetary provides a scalable, nature-based solution to climate change that leverages the vast surface area of the world’s oceans.
Planetary’s technology mimics the earth’s natural carbon cycle but accelerates it significantly. The process involves adding safe, alkaline minerals—primarily magnesium hydroxide—to coastal waters. This is achieved through a “drop-in” method where the alkalinity is introduced via existing infrastructure, such as wastewater treatment plants or power plant cooling outfalls.
The chemistry is straightforward:
Addition: The alkaline minerals dissolve in the seawater, neutralizing local acidity.
Conversion: This reaction converts dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) into stable bicarbonate and carbonate ions.
Storage: These ions are chemically stable and remain in the ocean for over 10,000 years, effectively locking the carbon away from the atmosphere.
Restoration: In addition to removing carbon, the process raises the pH of the water, directly countering ocean acidification. This creates healthier conditions for marine life, particularly for calcifying organisms like oysters and corals that struggle to build shells in acidic waters.
Planetary operates with a “safety-first” philosophy, employing comprehensive Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems. The company has run successful pilots in locations like Halifax, Nova Scotia (at the Tufts Cove power plant) and St. Ives Bay in the UK. By using existing industrial outfalls, Planetary avoids the need to build massive new facilities, allowing for rapid and capital-efficient scaling. Their operations are monitored by extensive sensor networks that track water chemistry in real-time to ensure safety for local ecosystems.
Planetary is positioning OAE as one of the most cost-effective carbon removal pathways available. With a believable path to costs under $100 per ton, the company aims to reach gigaton-scale removal. By utilizing abundant mineral feedstocks and partnering with coastal industries worldwide, Planetary is building a global network of “carbon removal hubs” that fight climate change while revitalizing marine ecosystems.