Halifax, Nova Scotia – Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) is crucial in fighting climate change and protecting our planet, and has tremendous potential for supporting economic growth. It is also complex with far-reaching impacts, so the development of this critical sector must be conducted responsibly and equitably. To do so, the Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI) led by Dalhousie University has developed the mCDR COMPASS initiative.
This new initiative will advance the mCDR sector in Canada by coordinating, integrating, and resourcing expertise and activities through collaboration across the disciplines of science and data, policy, community engagement, and business strategy.
At the core of the mCDR COMPASS are Highly Entrepreneurial Research Operators (HEROs). These early-career researchers will foster collaboration with new people and organizations, driving innovation and delivering value to mCDR COMPASS partners, the community, policymakers, and the sector.
Eric Siegel, Chief Innovation Officer at OFI, highlights the significance of mCDR COMPASS,
"We call this "radical collaboration" because it is an entrepreneurial, innovative approach where interdisciplinary research is intentionally brought together to inform and advance a new market sector, rather than slow it down."
"HEROs will wake up each morning motivated to harness their deep expertise and work innovatively across disciplines to deliver value throughout the mCDR sector," Siegel continues.
Importantly, mCDR COMPASS aligns with the Transforming Climate Action (TCA) program - one of the most intensive investigations ever undertaken into the ocean's role in climate change. The TCA research focuses on the nexus between oceans, climate, and people. Likewise, the mCDR COMPASS aims to advance the responsible and equitable development of ocean-climate solutions, in collaboration with stakeholders, to achieve long-term climate goals, conserve ocean health, and support communities, policies, and industries.
"To achieve the growth and positioning possible for Canada with respect to marine carbon dioxide removal will take innovative business models and approaches and collaboration across the ecosystem. Science and industry collaborating together will be critical to success and mCDR COMPASS will allow us to build capacity and accelerate growth,"
says Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster.
"Carbon Removal Canada's goal is to advance carbon removal solutions to meet Canada’s climate goals by 2050. We see the Ocean Frontier Institute as a key partner on marine-based carbon dioxide removal, with their mCDR COMPASS serving as an important resource to inform the ocean component of the carbon removal sector,"
says Na'im Merchant, Executive Director of Carbon Removal Canada.
The mCDR COMPASS represents a significant step forward to ensure the sector is built scientifically robust, socially equitable, and financially sustainable. With the support of early-career researchers and alignment with the Transforming Climate Action program, mCDR COMPASS is poised to make a meaningful impact on our climate.
For more information, please contact:
OFI media relations
oficomms@dal.ca
Eric Siegel, Chief Innovation Officer
Ocean Frontier Institute
Dalhousie University
COMPASS@dal.ca
