Norway is pioneering a game-changing approach to climate mitigation by cultivating expansive seaweed farms off its coastline that act as powerful natural carbon sinks, potentially helping to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere on an industrial scale. Researchers say this innovative blue economy initiative highlights how the ocean can be harnessed to clean the air while creating sustainable materials for industry.
The pilot project part of the Seaweed Carbon Solutions initiative, led by research groups like SINTEF Ocean in collaboration with partners including DNV, Equinor and Aker BP has deployed thousands of metres of kelp lines in the sea off the coast of Trøndelag. These seaweeds grow rapidly by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂) through photosynthesis and converting it into organic biomass, a process that scientists see as a natural carbon removal pathway that could someday scale up to significantly reduce greenhouse gases.
Unlike land-based forests, seaweed requires no fresh water, fertilisers or agricultural land to thrive, making it an incredibly efficient and low-impact resource for carbon capture and climate action. Moreover, harvested seaweed can be processed into biofuels, animal feed and eco-friendly packaging materials, creating renewable raw materials that replace those derived from fossil fuels combining emissions reduction with sustainable economic value.
This marine cultivation program is a proof-of-concept for a circular ocean economy: it uses nature’s own growth cycles to trap carbon while generating biomass that supports emerging green industries. Early projections indicate that properly scaled seaweed farming could capture significant amounts of atmospheric CO₂ and help industries transition toward net-zero goals a bold step in climate strategy rooted in innovation and ecological stewardship.
