Carbon Catalyst was a one-day conference, hosted by the Pembina Institute’s CDR Centre, focused on the emerging carbon dioxide removal (CDR) industry. CDR is in no way intended to replace the necessary work of directly reducing carbon emissions. Instead, it is a complement to that work and serves the purpose of removing carbon dioxide that has already built up in the atmosphere.
Carbon Catalyst, held on April 30, 2025, in Calgary, marks the beginning of what the CDR Centre envisions as a series of collaborative forums aimed at fostering education, dialogue and action in the emerging CDR sector. The event was attended by both potential and experienced buyers, developers, market intermediaries, non-governmental organizations, government representatives and academic researchers, offering a broad perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing this growing space.
Market leaders shared some crucial insights into why and how they were making CDR fit into their sustainability strategies. They noted that buyer education and internal advocacy are key and that early engagement offers strategic advantages.
Newer prospective buyers who had participated in the MaRS Carbon Credit Purchasing Program shared how they started the program thinking carbon removal should be a future transaction. But that by the program’s end, they viewed it as an immediate opportunity.
Attendees also had a chance to learn directly from CDR developers and researchers about a broad suite of technologies and methods under the CDR umbrella, including mineralization, direct air capture, enhanced rock weathering, marine CDR, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, and biochar.
The panel on measurement, reporting and verification offered credit insights to both buyers and developers, including on the need to adapt to evolving standards and avoid unverified credits.
Innisfail Mayor Jean Barclay, Deep Sky's Phil De Luna and the Pembina Institute's Jorden Dye held a collegial and relaxed fireside chat to share their thoughts on how CDR developers and communities should best work together to share in the industry's benefits. As in many aspects of life, it turns out an open mind benefits all involved. So does proactive engagement and education, as well as curiosity and listening.
You can find much more in the full report.
