About CDR
The world is facing a critical truth: Reducing carbon emissions is critical, but we won’t avoid the worst of the climate crisis if we don’t remove the billions of tonnes of CO2 that has built up in the atmosphere. CDR is essential for meeting climate targets. Canada is home to promising, high-quality CDR solutions, but to effectively scale these technologies, we need strong support to signal demand for CDR.
Why we created the Carbon Removal Donation Program
The MaRS Carbon Management Mission aims to accelerate the adoption of Canadian CDR solutions and develop a vibrant carbon markets ecosystem. To accomplish this, we need collective action. So, we’ve created a pathway for individuals and organizations to support. The CDR donation program is a tax-deductible opportunity to provide catalytic support to Canada’s emerging CDR market.
What is the Carbon Removal Donation Program?
The MaRS Carbon Removal Donation Program is the first of its kind in Canada. Created in response to demand, this philanthropic vehicle pools tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations to purchase high-quality CDR credits from early-stage Canadian CDR companies actively removing CO2 from the atmosphere. No one gets credits or offsets in return. The focus is solely on scaling CDR.
How it works
- You donate: Donations form a pool of philanthropic capital dedicated to purchasing high-quality CDR credits.
- We purchase: Once the fund reaches a sufficient level, MaRS will make a purchase of CDR credits from a carefully vetted portfolio of Canadian CDR companies.
- The outcome: MaRS retires the credits to public benefit, meaning that the positive climate impact isn’t used to account for any specific organizations or individual emissions, benefiting everyone. Donors will be informed of which companies their donation went to and how much CO2 removed it resulted in.
Why your support matters
By donating, you’re investing in the future of Canada’s climate tech sector. Here’s what a purchase represents:
- Boosts demand: Purchasing credits sends a clear signal to the market that there’s demand for CDR solutions, encouraging more investment and development.
- Directly removes carbon: Your donation funds innovative companies implementing CDR technologies. By purchasing credits, we help these ventures capture and remove carbon from the atmosphere.
- Supports Canadian innovation: Your donation helps early-stage companies grow right here at home, driving clean economic growth and strengthening Canada’s leadership in the global fight against climate change.
How to donate
Join our growing community of climate donors dedicated to scaling crucial CDR technologies. Together, we can actively remove carbon from our atmosphere and foster a clean economic future.
We welcome contributions of any amount. Every dollar counts toward advancing innovative CDR technologies. For those able to make a larger gift, we invite you to consider the following giving levels.
| Giving Levels | Gift Amount |
|---|---|
| Bootstrapper | $1,000–$9,999 |
| Series A | $10,000–$24,999 |
| Series B | $25,000–$99,999 |
| IPO | $100,000+ |
Thank you for supporting Canadian climate innovation.
For more information, contact us.
How to address the climate crisis — one tonne of carbon at a time
In April 2024, MaRS became one of the first Canadian charitable organizations to purchase CDR credits.
