· 2 min read
illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Canadian firm Deep Sky has announced plans to build one of the world’s largest direct air capture (DAC) facilities in Manitoba, aiming to remove 500,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually from the atmosphere
• This major development comes as the U.S. under President Trump moves to cancel over $1 billion in federal subsidies previously allocated to support the DAC industry
🔭 The context: Direct air capture technologies have gained traction in recent years as a key tool for addressing residual and legacy emissions
• Canada’s growing role in the space coincides with a retreat in U.S. support, marking a potential shift in leadership within the carbon removal sector
• The project’s announcement follows earlier deployments like Climeworks’ Mammoth plant in Iceland, but at a significantly larger scale
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: If successful, the Deep Sky facility could meaningfully advance global carbon removal capacity and support Canada’s climate goals
• However, DAC remains energy-intensive and costly, and its effectiveness depends on permanent CO₂ storage and clean energy inputs
• The loss of U.S. subsidies may slow innovation and deployment south of the border, potentially reshaping the global carbon removal landscape
⏭️ What's next: The Manitoba project will require environmental permitting, infrastructure planning, and significant capital investment before operations begin
• As U.S. support wanes, Canada and other nations may step in to lead on DAC innovation and commercialization
• The policy shift in Washington also sets up potential tensions in upcoming international climate negotiations regarding technology financing and equity
💬 One quote: "This project shows that Canada is serious about becoming a global leader in carbon removal technology, just as others are stepping back." – Deep Sky spokesperson
📈 One stat: The planned facility would remove 500,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually — comparable to the emissions of a typical natural gas power plant
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