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FORT MCMURRAY — As Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche MLA and Alberta Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean returns from an international carbon capture summit in London, the federal government is exploring a new framework that could give Canadian companies greater access to international carbon markets.
Environment, Climate Change and Nature Minister Julie Dabrusin announced Wednesday Ottawa is examining how Canada could trade internationally transferred mitigation outcomes, or ITMOs, under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
The system could allow Canadian companies to participate in international carbon markets by generating or trading emissions reductions and removals, including through carbon removal technologies and nature-based solutions.
The announcement comes as Jean returns from the 2026 Carbon Capture Global Summit, where he promoted Alberta’s carbon capture, utilization and storage sector to international government, industry, finance and technology representatives.
“Alberta is the global leader in CCUS,” Jean said in a statement ahead of the trip. “I’m proud to represent a province dedicated to responsible energy development.”
Jean said broader deployment of carbon capture will depend on collaboration among governments, researchers and industry.
Ottawa says an ITMO framework could help attract investment into projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions while creating opportunities for Canadian technology and expertise.
“The trading of ITMOs under the Paris Agreement can unlock greater global climate action by making it easier to transfer emission reductions and removals between countries,” Dabrusin said.
“This is about turning our natural advantages and homegrown climate innovation into investment, good jobs, and new export opportunities.”
Under Article 6, countries can co-operate in meeting national climate targets, including through international carbon markets.
The federal government says any credits traded as ITMOs would have to meet requirements designed to ensure emissions reductions or removals are additional, verified and not counted by both the exporting and importing country.
Ottawa says it will consult provinces and territories, Indigenous organizations and other partners as it develops a possible Canadian approach.
Jean’s London trip also included meetings with European and industry stakeholders as Alberta seeks to attract investment, expand energy market access and promote its carbon capture sector.
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