Deep Sky and Rubicon Carbon Partner for High-Integrity DAC Carbon Removal Credits

Canada-based Deep Sky, the first tech-agnostic Direct Air Capture (DAC) project developer, has signed a multi-year deal with Rubicon Carbon, a leader in carbon credit management. This agreement makes Deep Sky the first DAC provider in Rubicon Carbon’s curated credit portfolios.

Additionally, the partnership speeds up permanent carbon removal solutions. setting a strong standard for the voluntary carbon market (VCM).

Charlie Renzoni, VP Carbon Markets at Deep Sky, said,

“Partnering with Rubicon Carbon enables us to bring our DAC project portfolio to a broader audience of enterprises. Rubicon’s platform and active portfolio management ensure that our credits reach businesses around the world, driving greater climate impact.”

Deep Sky Alpha: A First-of-Its-Kind Carbon Removal Hub in Canada

Deep Sky Alpha is the first center to merge different direct air capture technologies and will initially remove 3,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year. The company’s goal is to develop low-cost, energy-efficient, and scalable carbon removal methods quickly.

The facility operates entirely on renewable solar energy, ensuring that carbon capture does not increase emissions. Like any other DAC, Alpha also captures carbon dioxide from the air and stores it two kilometers underground for thousands of years.

What does the Partnership Offer to Rubicon Carbon’s Clients?

Rubicon Carbon’s platform connects credits with buyers who have robust and clear climate plans. This boosts transparency and accountability in the market.

The agreement brings four key benefits for Rubicon Carbon clients:

1. Early Access to Scalable DAC Credits: Clients can access high-quality carbon removal starting in 2025 from Deep Sky’s Alpha facility.

2. Built-In Innovation: Deep Sky’s “active portfolio within a portfolio” model enables real-time testing and scaling of next-gen DAC solutions.

3. Reduced Risk, High Integrity: Deep Sky has passed Rubicon’s strict due diligence, ensuring project credibility and delivery confidence.

4. Canadian Clean Energy Advantage: All Deep Sky DAC projects use Canada’s low-carbon energy grid and benefit from strong regulatory support and geology for permanent carbon storage.

• KNOW MORE: Microsoft’s Mega Move: 18 Million Carbon Credit Deal with Rubicon Carbon

Building Scalable Climate Solutions

For Deep Sky, this long-term agreement ensures steady revenue, helping to scale operations and fund innovation. For Rubicon, it enhances its portfolio with reliable, science-backed carbon removals to meet demand from companies seeking permanent solutions.

This collaboration boosts trust in the voluntary carbon market by connecting verified DAC projects with buyers who value transparency, integrity, and impact.

As new technologies are tested and improved, Deep Sky aims to enhance efficiency and cut costs, which is essential for making DAC an accessible global solution.

Notably, the company is backed by $100 million in funding, including a $40 million grant from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, to boost large-scale DAC projects.

Why Demand for Direct Air Capture (DAC) is Rising?

Direct Air Capture is vital for climate action. While it doesn’t replace emission cuts, it balances out hard-to-abate emissions. Alongside nature-based solutions and other technologies, DAC forms a vital part of the full carbon removal strategy.

Significantly, one key advantage is that DAC uses minimal land and water while storing CO₂ safely underground for thousands of years, offering a reliable, long-term solution. This is why it plays a crucial role in achieving net zero.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Direct Air Capture will remove over 85 million tonnes of CO₂ by 2030 and nearly 1 billion tonnes by 2050, rising sharply from almost zero today. To hit these targets, the industry will need to scale up rapidly.

However, capturing CO₂ directly from the air remains costly because air contains much less CO₂ than industrial emissions, requiring more energy. Currently, DAC costs range between $125 and $335 per tonne of CO₂ captured.

Still, with ongoing innovation and increased deployment, IEA expects DAC costs to fall below $100 per tonne by 2030, depending on the technology type, energy prices, and location. DAC could become an increasingly affordable and effective carbon removal method in regions with abundant, low-cost renewable energy.