Deep Sky, a Canadian cleantech company, has become the first in North America to issue certified carbon credits through direct air capture (DAC) technology. Its facility in Innisfail, Alberta, successfully removed and sequestered carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, marking a significant milestone for regional climate innovation and corporate climate strategies.
- First certified DAC carbon credits registered in North America
- Microsoft and RBC purchase 10,000 tonnes of carbon removal credits
- Independent verification under Isometric DAC protocol
What happened
Deep Sky announced that carbon dioxide captured from the air at its Alberta facility is now converted into certified carbon credits. These credits have been independently verified and registered as the first of their kind in North America generated through direct air capture technology. The facility uses fans to draw in air and separate CO2, which is then permanently sequestered underground.
This milestone has secured corporate support, with Microsoft and the Royal Bank of Canada purchasing credits equivalent to about 10,000 tonnes of CO2 removal over the next ten years. This bought carbon removal represents the emissions produced by powering nearly 1,500 homes for one year and signals growing demand for scientifically measurable climate solutions.
Why it matters
Direct air capture offers a technologically advanced method to remove carbon from the atmosphere compared to traditional offset projects like reforestation or renewable energy. Deep Sky’s certified credits demonstrate a scientifically rigorous approach that accounts for the net carbon removed, including emissions from the process itself.
Being based in Alberta, a key region in Canada’s energy landscape, adds significance to this project’s success. It showcases a potential pathway for energy regions to pivot toward innovative climate technologies, aligning economic and environmental interests. The involvement of leading corporations further validates direct air capture as a viable component of corporate climate strategies.
What to watch next
Following Deep Sky’s achievement, additional DAC facilities are emerging in North America, including Occidental’s unit in Texas, Heirloom’s climate tech plant in California, and another Deep Sky project in Manitoba. These developments could expand the availability of certified carbon removal credits and drive scalability across the continent.
Market participants and regulators will likely monitor the integrity and impact of DAC credits closely, ensuring verification protocols keep pace with sector growth. Attention may also focus on cost trends and how these technologies integrate with broader net-zero corporate commitments to shape the carbon markets of the future.