The mCDR in Canada Forum, a two-day state-of-the-sector event led by the Ocean Frontier Institute, in partnership with supporting and coordinating organizations, including Net Zero Atlantic, was held on December 2–3, 2025 in Halifax. The Forum brought together researchers, industry, government, community organizations, rights holders, and funders to share updates on activities and discuss insights and opportunities related to mCDR in Canada.
Following the event, Net Zero Atlantic hosted a post event workshop bringing together 33 representatives from the sector to identify approaches that may address the barriers to scaling up mCDR that were identified during the Forum. The focus was to explore actions to address barriers related to policy and regulations, resources and inputs, social acceptability, technological feasibility, environmental and ecological outcomes, and economic viability.
Emerging mCDR techniques remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it the marine environment. Atlantic Canada is leading research and technology development to understand how mCDR can play a role in carbon management in Canada and internationally. Developers and researchers are exploring both biotic and abiotic approaches, each with its own technical challenges, risks, and knowledge gaps that must be addressed to understand mCDR’s role in long-term climate strategies.
Net Zero Atlantic’s ECT-Program’s mCDR Involvement
The Net Zero Atlantic Emerging Concepts and Technologies (ECT) Program provides funding to new and novel technologies that advance Atlantic Canada’s efforts to achieve emissions reductions and economic development. Through the ECT Program Net Zero Atlantic has supported carbon dioxide removal research in river alkalinity enhancement and sensor deployment for monitoring and verification.
Completed ECT projects include:
- A Feasibility Study for Nature-Based Carbon Dioxide Removal Solutions at Nova Scotia Power’s Hydroelectric Facilities | Net Zero Atlantic
- Feasibility Study of the Buoy System for Measuring Carbon Dioxide Removal and Environmentally Important Water Properties in the Context of mCDR | Net Zero Atlantic
Atlantic Canada’s mCDR Momentum: Key Focus and Takeaways
Researchers and companies in Atlantic Canada are playing a leading role in global efforts to assess the safety and effectiveness of mCDR technologies. While significant knowledge gaps remain around potential positive and negative impacts, the region is driving many of the studies needed to answer these critical questions.
A clear message from the Forum was that progress in mCDR depends on strong collaboration. Participants stressed the importance of close alignment among industry, government, and the scientific community, as well as the need for continued two-way engagement with fisheries, coastal communities, and Indigenous communities. Building trust and shared understanding will be needed to further expand this growing sector.
The scale of the challenge ahead also came into sharp focus. The State of Carbon Dioxide Removal report (2nd Edition, 2024) estimates that 7–9 gigatonnes (Gt) CO 2 removal will be required each year by 2050. Thus, all forms of carbon management, including both biotic and abiotic mCDR approaches, must be explored. Early testing and coordinated research will be crucial for developing credible negative-emissions solutions. Equally important is the ongoing effort to bring diverse groups together to address barriers, exchange knowledge, and identify pathways to move mCDR forward in Canada.