Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal

Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) is a suite of novel approaches that can contribute to Canada’s transition to low carbon economy while also contributing to significant economic growth.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) is a critical component of a long-term climate aligned future. One of the most promising CDR pathways is in marine environments, which have natural advantages of scale, potential for rapid growth, lack of competition with terrestrial activities, and the potential for a wide range of co-benefits.

The amount of CDR needed to reach climate goals, such as limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 °C, is significant. Recent studies by several organizations, such as MaRS and Carbon Removal Canada, show great potential for Canada’s CDR industry overall and represent a significant contribution towards this national need.

The Potential for Marine Carbon
Dioxide Removal
in Canada

A recent study led by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and co-funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Invest Nova Scotia, the Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST), Carbon to Sea and supported by the Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI) and COVE, assessed the opportunity that mCDR offers Canada.

Canada’s strong starting advantage could position us to become a global leader in mCDR and serve as a key driver under Canada’s new climate competitiveness strategy expected this fall. Advantages include:

Largest coastline in the world

Deep pedigree in ocean science and technology

Mature marine infrastructure

Critical resources required

Pool of high-quality talent

British Columbia and Nova Scotia already have mCDR companies, and both show initiative toward increased climate action.

Today, most mCDR deployments are still at the pilot stage. For mCDR to succeed and serve its important role as part of the climate solution, it must be incubated now with real-world catalytic support, similar to actions taken in the past that have helped grow and scale other industries in Cleantech sector.

If advanced in a safe and equitable process, mCDR should be considered an important part of the portfolio of solutions that can reduce Canada’s carbon footprint, generate new economic activity, and allow for transition to a low carbon economy.

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What does the data say

Based on 2050 projections, mCDR has the potential to:

Provide ~ 40% of carbon removal capacity Canada will need
Reduce net emissions by ~ 15% of current emissions
Help Canada meet its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) (if removals are permitted)
Improve ocean acidification, coastal resilience

mCDR also offers a significant economic opportunity and by 2050 can become as big as the electric utility sector is in Canada today. Projections for 2050 include:

Create ~ 90K permanent jobs (1/3 of current clean tech sector),
Increase GDP by $16B (1/3 of current Ocean economy),
Investment potential of $30B+
Create IP and export opportunities
Reskilling of workforce

Now is the time to catalyze mCDR in Canada, leveraging our coastlines, resources, and marine infrastructure into lasting advantages and enabling us to become a global leader in mCDR.

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Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal