The First-Ever Carbon Removal Protocol for Rivers
A PROTOCOL FOR THE PLANET
Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) through River Alkalinity Enhancement (RAE) now has an industry-first certified protocol—marking a significant milestone for climate science, freshwater restoration, and the broader carbon removal ecosystem.
Last month, Isometric officially released the world’s first protocol for carbon removal via rivers. Developed in consultation with scientists, suppliers, and stakeholders across the CDR space, the protocol outlines rigorous standards for how to monitor, quantify, and verify durable carbon removal using RAE.
Why it matters
Rivers are a central part of Earth’s natural carbon cycle—and if they become acidified, can unfortunately become a major source of carbon emissions. As acidified river waters flow from land to sea it releases dissolved carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. To counteract this, RAE adds finely crushed alkaline rock (like limestone) to rivers, converting that carbon dioxide into stable bicarbonate ions, which are then transported to the ocean for long-term storage.
The process behind RAE is well understood and has been used for decades to counteract the impacts of acid rain and protect sensitive species like trout and salmon. But applying it intentionally for climate benefit is relatively new—and until now, there was no shared framework for measuring its effectiveness.
This protocol changes that. It includes a flexible quantification framework, site-specific modeling, and direct measurement tools to ensure that each carbon credit issued is backed by time-stamped, verifiable data.
CarbonRun's role
CarbonRun is proud to have contributed directly to the development of this protocol—bringing both scientific and practical expertise to the table. Our team provided substantial feedback throughout Isometric’s public consultation, drawing on decades of research, field testing, and community-based restoration in Nova Scotia. In particular, our field trials helped inform key aspects of the protocol’s real-world applicability, ensuring the framework is scientifically robust, operationally practical, and grounded in observed data.
Dr. Shannon Sterling’s contributions are reflected in Isometric’s acknowledgements section, alongside other technical experts, underscoring CarbonRun’s leadership in advancing river-based CDR.
Dr. Shannon Sterling, our Founder and COO/CSO, noted:
“The Isometric team has developed a River Alkalinity Enhancement protocol that leverages the unique strengths of rivers, including the ability to observe CDR in real time. We’ve tested the protocol in the field and are excited about its ability to support MRV that is efficient, affordable, practical and builds trust.”
We see this as a major step forward for the field—and for nature-based carbon removal as a whole. By creating a clear, science-backed framework for how to do river-based CDR right, this protocol makes it easier for more groups to participate and for buyers to purchase with confidence.
What's next
As the climate crisis deepens, scalable and verifiable CDR solutions will play a critical role in global decarbonization. This protocol is more than a milestone—it’s a foundation. And we’re proud to have helped shape it.
To learn more, view the protocol here.
