Our Work

International Governance of Ocean Iron Fertilization Research: A Case Study of the Proposed Exploring Ocean Iron Solutions Field Experiments

Published in February 2026 By Ashwin Murthy & Romany Webb, by the Columbia Law School: Sabin Center for Climate Change Law.

Link to the Report (open access)

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The case for ocean iron fertilization field trials

We are proud to share a new peer-reviewed publication "The case for Ocean Iron Fertilization Field Trials" from the ExOIS community and published in Dialogues in Climate Change. The paper makes the case for carefully designed ocean iron fertilization (OIF) field trials to determine whether this marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) method can safely and effectively leverage a natural ocean process to pull the green house gas carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

This study argues that past field experiments were not designed to evaluate key questions around effectiveness, durability, and environmental impacts of OIF. We provide a framework for larger, longer field trials with rigorous monitoring, transparent MRV, and clear go/no-go safeguards. A central focus is constraining additional carbon export and biogeochemical responses using field observations and models. Equally important is early and meaningful community engagement.

This work does not advocate for at-scale deployment but rather calls for responsible research to determine if OIF can be safely and credibly pursued for mCDR. The climate crisis requires that along with emissions reductions, we develop the necessary scientific understanding of mCDR now.

Read the Press Release

Read the Article (open access)

Guiding Recommendations on Collaborative Research Governance, Community Engagement, and Social Science for ExOIS:
A Focus on the First 12 months of Field Trial Planning

To support the efforts of the ExOIS Project office in preparing to conduct ocean iron fertilization field trials, the ExOIS Social Science and Governance Working Group was formed and convened an eleven-member Social Science and Governance Advisory Board to inform research planning, with emphasis on the first twelve months of planning in advance of field trials. This is the product of their meetings and provides recommendations to inform planning. Download the full document.
May 19, 2025

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Exploring Ocean Iron as a Potential Climate Solution

Created April 2025 to provide information regarding OIF and ExOIS.

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Brochure online Flip-book

Next steps for assessing ocean iron fertilization for marine carbon dioxide removal

Published in September 2024 in Frontiers in Climate by ExOIS members.

Link to Frontiers (open access)

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ExOIS Paths Forward

ExIOS Paths Forward, released Friday October 27, 2023, is a detailed description of the ExOIS vision, the scientific basis, and plans for implementation.

Executive Summary

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ExOIS White Paper Report

In the Fall of 2022 we created a white paper outlining our plans. You can either review the report online, or download our PDF.

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