Planetary is Making Waves in Carbon Removal Along Nova Scotia’s Coast by Enhancing the Ocean’s Natural Processes
Nova Scotia is emerging as a leader in Canada's climate strategy, driven by ambitious provincial targets: a 53% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2030, and net zero by 2050. With vast offshore capacity to store an estimated 177 billion tonnes of CO₂, the province is uniquely positioned not only to manage its own emissions, but also potentially serve as a carbon storage hub for larger CO₂ emitters.
These efforts, combined with strong academic partnerships with institutions like Dalhousie University, are helping transform Nova Scotia into a global hub for ocean-climate research. This progress highlights the pivotal role marine ecosystems can play in permanent carbon removal.
A standout example is the work of Halifax-based Planetary Technologies, recent winners of the XPRIZE Carbon Removal XFACTOR Award. Their innovative process enhances the ocean’s natural ability to absorb and store atmospheric CO₂—reversing ocean acidification and delivering dual climate and environmental benefits.
Foresight's Senior Digital Marketing Manager, Stacey Armstrong, recently connected with Planetary CEO Mike Kelland to dive deeper into their groundbreaking solutions and their vision for the future of ocean-based carbon removal in Nova Scotia
Unpacking the Why
Q: What inspired the founding of Planetary, and how has the company evolved over time?
A: I wanted my next business to focus on climate solutions, so I teamed-up with Dr. Greg Rau, one of the pioneers of carbon removal technologies, to form Planetary. The company began with a dual focus on ocean-based carbon removal alongside green hydrogen generation, but the company has evolved into a sole focus on ocean-based carbon removal.
Q: Why did your team choose ocean-based carbon removal as your key focus area?
A: Ocean alkalinity enhancement is the most scalable and cost-effective form of carbon removal (land or ocean), thus it’s the most likely pathway to have the biggest climate impact. Many independent studies have since confirmed this thinking.
Decoding the Tech
Q: Can you explain your carbon removal technology briefly, and what makes it uniquely effective?
A: Planetary uses Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) to permanently remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. By introducing purified alkaline minerals into the ocean, the process enhances the water’s natural ability to absorb and store CO₂ as stable bicarbonate ions. This method is unique because it operates through existing coastal infrastructure, like power plants and wastewater facilities, making it both scalable and cost-effective without requiring new industrial developments. It also delivers the co-benefit of reducing ocean acidification, helping to restore marine ecosystems.
Q: What’s the biggest technical challenge you’ve overcome in proving the safety and efficacy of your carbon removal system?
A: Developing ocean sensor and data management systems that can constantly measure impacts of our alkaline addition, alongside real-time software tools to transmit this data, resulting in a system that ensures our dosing is within all permitting and environmental quality standards at all times.
Q: Transparency and safety are core priorities—how are these embedded in your technology and processes?
A: Transparency and safety are embedded in every stage of Planetary’s operations. We follow a Code of Conduct centered on human and environmental safety, scientific integrity, and open communication. All field trials are paired with rigorous environmental monitoring and real-time data transmission to ensure that every project stays within permitted environmental thresholds. Planetary openly shares results, findings, and lessons learned with partners and the broader scientific community to advance trust and innovation across the entire field of ocean-based carbon removal.
Trust and transparency must be treated as foundational to innovation, not an afterthought.
Driving Adoption
Q: What are some barriers to adoption you face, and how do you overcome them?
A: Like any new climate solution, ocean-based carbon removal is still building awareness and understanding. We focus on overcoming barriers by leading with strong science, working closely with communities and showing that transparency and collaboration can drive real progress.
Q: Carbon removal is a complex and emerging field—what have you found to be the most important factors in building trust and driving adoption for your ocean-based solution?
A: The most important factors have been grounding the technology in robust, peer-reviewed science; collaborating extensively with academic institutions; and engaging communities early and often. Transparency in data collection, environmental monitoring, and decision-making has also played a critical role in building trust with regulators, partners, and the public.
Q: How do you ensure transparency and independent verification of your carbon credits?
A: Planetary ensures transparency and verification through a rigorous Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) framework, developed in collaboration with independent scientific experts. The MRV system tracks the entire carbon removal pathway, from mineral addition to carbon sequestration in ocean chemistry, using real-time sensors, third-party assessments, and open data access to validate the volume and permanence of the carbon removed.
Q: What does a successfully verified tonne of carbon removed look like from your perspective?
A: A successfully verified tonne of carbon means independent verifiers have confirmed our robust science to accurately track and quantify the efficiency of our process from start to finish. It’s real, measurable, and permanent carbon removal—backed by third-party validation.
Q: How are these verification processes driving broader adoption and trust in your technology?
A: They are independent and grounded in strong science. Independent verification gives people confidence that our technology actually works. By backing up our results with real data and third-party validation, we’re building trust with partners, communities, and the broader carbon market. It’s a key step in moving from pilot projects to real-world adoption.
Q: As the ocean-based carbon removal field evolves, what will it take for solutions like yours to move from early adopters to widespread implementation?
A: Clear policy frameworks, continued third-party validation, and strong community partnerships. Building trust is just as important as building the technology.
Collaboration for Growth
Q: You’ve highlighted local collaborations with Nova Scotia Power and Dalhousie University—how are these partnerships crucial to your success?
A: These partnerships provide vital research, operational expertise, and credibility. Working with Nova Scotia Power has allowed Planetary to test and integrate their technology at an industrial scale using existing infrastructure. Collaboration with Dalhousie University’s leading ocean scientists ensures that environmental monitoring is rigorous, independent, and transparent—helping advance both scientific understanding and public trust in Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement as a safe and effective climate solution.
Q: What lessons can the cleantech sector learn from your community engagement approach?
A: Meaningful engagement isn’t a box to check—it’s a continuous, collaborative process. Cleantech companies can build stronger, more resilient projects by involving communities early, listening with humility, sharing data openly, and adapting plans based on feedback.
Ocean environments are deeply connected to the livelihoods, cultures, and economies of local communities. Building strong, transparent relationships with communities ensures that projects respect and integrate local knowledge, environmental stewardship values, and that concerns can be quickly addressed. It also helps ensure that benefits are shared equitably and that projects are shaped by those most directly impacted by ocean-based interventions.
- Mike Kelland CEO, Planetary
Tangible Impact
Q: What are the anticipated environmental and economic impacts of scaling your carbon removal solution?
A: Scaling our solution means permanent carbon removal at gigaton scale (i.e., billions of tonnes), plus real co-benefits like reversing ocean acidification, ultimately supporting marine ecosystems. Economically, it opens new opportunities for infrastructure reuse, regional project development, and participation in the growing carbon market—especially in coastal communities which are at the forefront of the climate crisis.
Q: How do you see Planetary contributing to cleantech leadership and job creation in Atlantic Canada?
A: We’re incredibly proud to be part of Atlantic Canada’s growing cleantech ecosystem. As we scale, we’re creating jobs in ocean science, environmental monitoring, data analysis, and project operations—while showing the world that climate innovation can thrive right here in Nova Scotia.
Q: How has raising your recent Series A funding ($11.35M) impacted your strategy and goals?
A: That funding has allowed us to expand our team, accelerate R&D, and launch additional field trials in new locations. It also gave us the runway to strengthen our MRV systems, deepen partnerships, and move closer to commercial deployment.
Q: How did being recognized as a Foresight 50 honouree (2021, 2022) influence your ability to grow and scale?
A: Foresight’s recognition helped raise our visibility within Canada’s cleantech ecosystem and beyond. It connected us to a wider network of partners, funders, and peers—and gave us a platform to share what we’re building with national and global audiences.
What's Next?
Q: How do you envision carbon removal technology evolving globally over the next 5-10 years?
A: We’ll see carbon removal become a core part of national climate strategies, with more robust standards, greater investment, and increased collaboration between governments, industry, and innovators. Ocean-based solutions like ours will play an important role as that momentum grows.
Q: What’s next for Planetary—any exciting projects or expansions you can share?
A: There’s a lot to be excited about right now. We’re expanding field trials to new communities across the globe and continuing to strengthen our MRV systems. A big recent milestone for us was being named one of only two X-Factor Award winners in the XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition—an incredible recognition of the strength of our science, our team, and the impact our technology can have at scale. It’s a major boost as we work to accelerate the adoption of ocean-based carbon removal and drive real climate solutions forward.
Q: What advice would you give to other cleantech companies striving for adoption and transparency?
A: Be open. Share your data, your lessons, and your setbacks. Transparency isn’t just good ethics—it's a good strategy, especially when you’re trying to build something new and lasting.
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