Turning the Tide on Carbon: How Planetary Is Advancing Ocean-Based Removal with Local Partners

Planetary’s award-winning approach to ocean alkalinity enhancement works with nature to remove carbon, protect marine ecosystems, and benefit coastal communities. Recently recognized with an XPRIZE Carbon Removal award, Planetary leverages existing infrastructure—like power plants and wastewater treatment facilities—to simplify deployment and minimize environmental impact. The approach relies on established science and operates with a compact footprint.

In this Q&A, Diana Philip, Vice President Community Relations at Planetary, discusses how they're scaling ocean-based carbon removal through robust monitoring, partnerships with Indigenous groups, ecosystem stewardship, and close collaboration with communities near their project sites.

Planetary is one of many Carbon Business Council members leading the charge on carbon removal—and demonstrating what it looks like in practice. The Carbon Business Council is publishing a content series spotlighting winners of XPRIZE Carbon Removal, a \$100 million prize for removals companies.

Can you briefly describe your carbon removal solution and what sets it apart?

Planetary removes carbon from the air using a process called ocean alkalinity enhancement—adding natural alkaline minerals to water at existing industrial facilities like power plants and wastewater treatment sites, before it flows into the ocean. This reduces ocean acidity, protects marine ecosystems, and supports the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Our approach accelerates the Earth's natural geologic carbon cycle. We work closely with local partners, communities, scientists, and regulators each step of the way, designing our projects to meet or exceed all relevant environmental and regulatory standards in the regions where we operate.

What sets us apart is our integration first-model: working closely with local partners and communities, we retrofit existing infrastructure—avoiding the need to build new facilities. Our footprint is small, less than 50’x100’. Our commitment to science, transparency, and community is core to everything we do.

What major breakthroughs or milestones did you achieve during the XPRIZE competition?

The XPRIZE competition helped us sharpen every aspect of our work. A key milestone was successfully demonstrating carbon removal through our system while developing advanced monitoring tools in collaboration with academic partners. Winning the XPRIZE Oceans award validated not only our technology, but also our ability to scale responsibly within one of the most promising carbon removal pathways. Perhaps most significantly, XPRIZE helped elevate ocean-based carbon removal on the global stage.

Do you have any examples or projections of how increased R&D will enable scale or reduce removal costs?

We’ve already seen that investments towards improving monitoring systems and mineral sourcing strategies can bring down costs significantly. Continued R&D helps us increase efficiency at each stage of the process, bringing us closer to delivering gigaton-scale carbon removal while staying rooted in science and community engagement.

What does “scaling responsibly” look like in your corner of the carbon removal ecosystem?

For us, scaling responsibly means putting community, science, and ecosystems first. That includes collaborating with local stakeholders and leading scientists, working transparently with regulators, and co-developing projects that prioritize environmental health. Responsible growth isn’t just about speed—it’s about long-term integrity.

Can you share any examples of working successfully with local communities around deployment?

In Nova Scotia, our deployment has been shaped by deep, trust-based partnerships with Mi’kmaw (Indigenous) communities. We work closely with groups like the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (CMM), Atlantic Policy Congress (APC), and the Pitupaq Group to co-develop benefit-sharing strategies and ensure the project reflects local values and priorities.

Our engagement has led to several co-designed initiatives, such as a Joint Learning Opportunity (JLO) with Ulnooweg to support Indigenous aquaculture, and a knowledge-sharing series with the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre. We've also integrated direct community feedback into deployment design, including lobster larvae ecotoxicity testing and youth programming.

Our partnerships have earned trust and visibility, evidenced by invitations to present to Indigenous science institutions like UINR and CEPI, and by Mi’kmaw representation on Canada’s national Carbon Removal Working Group. We’re now formalizing these relationships through PAIR Certification, Canada’s most rigorous benchmark for corporate-Indigenous relations. We are also exploring joint ventures and workforce pipelines with Indigenous partners.

Across all sites—including in the U.S.—we follow a co-creation model that goes beyond consultation. This includes working with municipal leaders, environmental groups, youth, fisheries, and others to align projects with local priorities and deliver tangible, lasting benefits for the communities closest to our work.

How does — or could — your solution benefit other industries or local communities?

Our work supports coastal ecosystem health, which benefits fisheries, tourism, and community resilience. By integrating with existing water infrastructure, we avoid the need for new construction and add value to systems communities already rely on. Our projects also generate data on ocean health and contribute to local climate adaptation efforts. Ultimately, we aim to ensure communities see both environmental and economic benefits from our projects.

What role do – or could – partnerships play in your success?

Partnerships are absolutely critical to our success. Our work is made possible through collaborations with research institutions, governments, industry, local communities, and carbon removal organizations. Public-private and cross-sector partnerships allow us to share knowledge, ensure transparency, and build durable solutions to the climate crisis. The climate challenge is far too big for silos; collaboration is the only way forward.

The strength of these relationships was underscored when several partners including community partners travelled to New York to stand with us at the XPRIZE Awards Ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Their presence underscored that our work is not only accepted, but embraced by the communities it serves.

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