The Project Developer Model and the Urgent Need for Carbon Removal

Episode 34 is with Phil De Luna, Chief Carbon Scientist and Head of Engineering at Deep Sky. 

In this episode, Na’im speaks to Phil De Luna, Deep Sky’s Chief Carbon Scientists and Head of Engineering. Na’im and Phil cover a broad range of what Deep Sky - a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) project developer that raised C$75M last year - has done to date, how they think about new technology adoption, why Canada is well suited for large scale carbon removal, and the policies that would help advance their work. And we get a few hints of what's in store for the rest of 2024.

In this episode, Na’im and Phil discuss:

* Phil’s journey into CDR and the reasons he joined Deep Sky;

* Deep Sky’s philosophy on removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere;

* Deep Sky’s criteria for choosing partners and how partnerships work;

* The reasons for the company’s focusing on Quebec and Canada;

* The exciting innovations in carbon removal;

* Deep Sky’s partnership with Isometric and their approach to MRV;

* Opportunities and challenges to large scale deployment, and the importance of community engagement;

* Different kinds of policies and actions from the Canadian government that could help develop and scale carbon removal technologies; and

* Deep Sky’s plan for 2024.

Relevant Links:

* “Why Canada Is Poised To Become A Carbon Removal Superpower” (Forbes)

* “The Race Is On: 5 Steps To Rapidly Develop Carbon Removal Technology” (Forbes)

* “Why 2023 Was A Breakout Year In Carbon Removals” (Forbes)

* Canada’s Investment Tax Credit for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (Gov’t of Canada)

* Deep Sky Website

* Isometric Website

* Carbon Removal Canada Website

* Ready to Removal: A Decisive Decade for Canadian Leadership in Carbon Dioxide Removal

About Phil

Phil De Luna is Chief Carbon Scientist and Head of Engineering at Deep Sky, a carbon removals venture building large scale infrastructure to remove CO2 from the atmosphere to reverse climate change. Prior to Deep Sky, Phil led Carbontech at McKinsey & Company’s sustainability practice. He is a Governor General Gold Medal winning scientist, ranked in the top 0.1% in the world in his field, a mentor at Creative Destruction Lab, and chair of Carbon Management Canada. Phil was the youngest-ever Director at the National Research Council where he built and led a $57M R&D program developing disruptive technologies to decarbonize Canada. He was on the founding team of CERT Technologies, a carbontech startup and finalist in the $20M Carbon XPRIZE. He is a Member of the College of the Royal Society of Canada, an adjunct Professor of Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Toronto, a former Member of Parliament candidate, a Globe & Mail Top 50 Changemaker, and a Forbes Top 30 Under 30.

About Deep Sky

Deep Sky is the world's first carbon removal project developer deploying the best carbon capture technology from around the world under one roof. Tech agnostic, Deep Sky brings together the most promising direct air and ocean capture technologies from around the world. Powered by renewable energy, Deep Sky's facilities are strategically located in Quebec, a region with an abundance of hydroelectric power, immense wind power potential and a vast territory with the rich geological makeup required for carbon storage. Deep Sky will bring the largest supply of high quality carbon credits to the market and commercialize carbon removal and storage solutions like never before.

This episode was created and published by Na’im Merchant. Episode production and content support provided by Tank Chen.

Na’im Merchant is the co-founder and Executive Director of Carbon Removal Canada, a policy initiative focused on scaling carbon removal in Canada. He is also a policy fellow with Elemental Excelerator. He previously ran carbon removal consulting practice Carbon Curve, and publishes The Carbon Curve newsletter and podcast. Every two weeks, Na’im will release a short interview with individuals advancing the policies, technologies, and collective action needed to scale up carbon removal around the world.

Tank Chen is a carbon removal advocate based in Taiwan whose focus is on communicating the importance of CDR to policy makers, corporate leaders, and the broader public through education, communications, and policy advocacy.

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