The Carbon to Sea Initiative, with guidance and support from a steering committee, will be hosting a workshop from June 29-July 4 to develop guidelines for biogeochemical model skill assessment, aligning research and the private sector on how to evaluate models for the quantification of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) through ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE). 

This is an invite-only workshop, but limited remaining seats are available to highly motivated and qualified participants. Below, we are accepting applications to attend until April 24th, 2026, and will make decisions shortly thereafter. Broader opportunities for engagement on the produced outcomes are envisioned in the fall (e.g., a public commenting period). 

Workshop Overview

In this workshop, primary scope lies on regional and decadal scale biogeochemical modeling that cover processes relevant to local to basin-wide scales (10-meter to 1000-kilometer resolution), including baseline processes and OAE interventions. We will address three layers of model skill assessment:

  • General fit-for-purpose criteria: Develop community-agreed model specifications (e.g., required processes and scales) to be tracked across different model development stages for MRV and research uses (e.g., baseline processes vs. intervention).
  • Model-observation comparisons: Outline how model-observation comparisons for validation should be conducted, considering both existing oceanographic observations and future optimized sampling campaigns, and potentially propose thresholds for acceptable skill. 
  • Uncertainty quantification: Define the type of uncertainties to evaluate as well as the statistical approaches, metrics, confidence bounds, and error propagation required for reporting CDR uncertainty.

As immediate or near-term outcomes of the workshop, we aim to produce Model Skill Assessment Guidelines that can be immediately useful for researchers, practitioners, and market actors such as registries, as well as a peer-reviewed scientific perspective paper, synthesizing workshop outcomes to provide a forward-looking assessment of model skill requirements for OAE Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV).

Dates and Logistics

  • Dates: Arrival on June 29, 2026. Full workshop days from June 30 through July 3. Departure after breakfast on July 4.
  • Location: Quartier Garmisch Patenkirchen, Germany.
  • Nearest airport: Munich
  • Workshop style: Primarily organized by breakout sessions, connected and harmonized through input presentations, panels, and readouts. Additional free time to enjoy nature and take discussions outside. 
  • Expenses: Carbon to Sea will provide the venue and accommodation, and majority of meals for all participants.

More information can be found in this concept note. 

Application

If you want to be considered for participation, please apply using the form below. For any questions regarding this workshop or the application process, please contact info@carbontosea.org. We will aim to inform you of decisions early May.