About the Summit
Welcome to the inaugural BECCS Leadership Summit. Co-hosted by Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) and Alberta Innovates, this targeted, invite-only event brings together over 100 leaders and decision-makers to discuss how to address barriers and accelerate the adoption of Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) technology in Canada.
Canada has the potential to become a global leader in BECCS. Not only do we have robust forestry and agricultural sectors, we also hold the greatest volume of biomass per capita in the world, as well as on-shore and off-shore geology that is well-suited for carbon sequestration.
JOIN US October 16-18 in Banff, Alberta as we bring together over 100 leaders and decision makers, including bioenergy and forest product producers, carbon capture and sequestration experts and practitioners, prospective CDR credit purchasers, investors, governments, and First Nations representatives to discuss how to address technology barriers and accelerate adoption of BECCS in Alberta and Canada.
This is an invite-only event. To inquire, please contact gmeikle@eralberta.ca and ericka.rios@albertainnovates.ca.
Thank you to our Sponsors
Program Overview
| Wednesday October 16, 2024 | |
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| 5:00-7:00 p.m. | Welcome Networking Reception Hosted by Alberta Forest Products Association Welcome Remarks, Jason Kripps, CEO, Alberta Forest Products Association |
| Thursday October 17, 2024 | |
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| 7:30-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:30-9:00 a.m. | Opening Remarks Justin Riemer, CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta Mark Summers, VP of Agriculture and Environment, Alberta Innovates |
| 9:00-9:25 a.m. | Session #1: Fireside Chat – Making BECCS Happen Industry veteran Ian McGregor will discuss how to make major projects happen for the climate – and what it will take to make BECCS happen as a carbon removal solution. Moderator: Grace Meikle, Director for Technology Impact, Emissions Reduction Alberta Featured Speaker: Ian MacGregor, Partner and Cofounder, Northwest Capital |
| 9:25-10:10 a.m. | Session #2: Panel – Ingredients for BECCS Success Panelists from forestry, carbon capture tech, and project development will discuss key components to enable successful BECCS projects, from technology to financing. Moderator: James Fann, President & CEO, International CCS Knowledge Center Speakers: Joel Flitton, Director of Carbon Removals, SLB Capturi Roger Ashfield, Board Chair, Alberta Forest Products Association Sophie Mullen, Sustainability & Resource Development Director, Heidelberg Materials |
| 10:10-10:30 a.m. | Networking break |
| 10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. | Session #3: BECCS Innovation Showcase This panel will showcase emerging BECCS projects in Alberta and across Canada. Moderator: Ericka Rios, Manager for Clean Technology, Alberta Innovates Speakers: Tom Antle, Director of Engineering, TorchLight Bioresources – Rocky Mountain Carbon Sean Collins, CEO, Varme Energy Canada – Heartland Waste to Energy with Carbon Capture Brett Jackson, President, Hydrogen Naturally – Bright Green Hydrogen Patrick Elliott, COO and Co-Founder, Carbon Alpha – NorthStar BECCS |
| 11:45-1:00 p.m. | Forestry Lunch |
| 1:00-2:25 p.m. | Workshops Session 1 1. Canada’s Forest Carbon Opportunity: Discuss the opportunity (and problem) of unlocking carbon from Canada’s forests. Facilitated by: Shane Neigel, Director of Forest Tenure, Trade & Economics, Government of Alberta Mehr Nikoo, Senior Manager for Sustainable Materials, Alberta Innovates 2. Unique Technical Features of BECCS Projects: Discuss gaps in technology and infrastructure, such as carbon sequestration, flue gas characterization, and more. Facilitated by: Bonnie Drozdowski, Executive Director, Environment & Bio-industrial Services Ericka Rios, Manager for Clean Technology, Alberta Innovates 3. Evaluating BECCS Projects for Carbon Removal: Discuss existing and emerging protocols for verification of BECCS-based CDRs. Facilitated by: April Hillier, Director, Carbon Capture & Sequestration and Industrial Innovation, BMO Capital Markets Ian Kuwahara, Director, Energy & Industrial Innovation, Verra |
| 2:25-2:45 p.m. | Networking break |
| 2:45-3:00 p.m. | Workshop Outcomes – Stream Leads to Summarize |
| 3:00-3:45 p.m. | Session #4: International Perspective on BECCS Discuss BECCS projects and initiatives from around the world. Moderator: Monique Frison, Director General, Canadian Forest Service Speakers: Ed Wolfrum, Principal Researcher & Manager, National Renewable Energy Laboratory Tom Antle, Director of Engineering, TorchLight |
| 3:45-4:30 p.m. | Session #5: Spotlight on Alberta’s Carbon and Forest Management & Framework Learn about Alberta’s unique carbon and forest management framework that make it an excellent starting point for BECCS projects in Canada and internationally. Moderator: Mark Summers, Vice President, Agriculture & Forestry, Alberta Innovates Speakers: Patrick McDonald, Associate Deputy Minister, Alberta Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas Ken Greenway, Executive Director of Forest Stewardship & Trade, Alberta Ministry of Forestry & Parks |
| 8:30-10:00 p.m. | BECCS Around the World Movie Night (Optional) Enjoy popcorn and drinks while viewing an exclusive screening of short films about international BECCS projects. |
| Friday October 18, 2024 | |
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| 7:00-8:30 a.m. | Morning hike (optional) – Tunnel Mountain |
| 8:00-9:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9:00-9:05 a.m. | Opening Remarks Monique Frison, Director General, Canadian Forest Service |
| 9:05-9:50 a.m. | Session #6: BECCS as a Carbon Removal Tool Hear from CDR buyers and marketplace innovators on how to establish transparent, permanent carbon removals. Moderator: Tim Bushman, Director of Policy & Research, Carbon Removal Canada Speakers: Ofei Mante, Senior Research Scientist, Amazon Irfan Ali, Founder, Digikerma Joseph Kochanski, Head of Operations – America, Puro.earth |
| 9:50-10:40 a.m. | Session #7: Financing BECCS Industry Growth Hear from financial institutions to understand how to create bankable BECCS projects. Moderator: Tyson Dyck, Partner, Torys LLP Speakers: Andrew Hall, Managing Director for Carbon Markets Advisory, ESG Solutions at TD Securities Jeff Pearson, President, Wolf Carbon |
| 10:40-11:00 a.m. | Networking break |
| 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Workshops Session 2 1. Best Use Cases of Forest Carbon: Discuss different use cases of forest carbon, and what factors may lead to directing more feedstock towards BECCS projects. Facilitated by: Cal Dakin, Director of Innovation, Mercer Peace River Mehr Nikoo, Senior Manager for Sustainable Materials, Alberta Innovates 2. Innovative Partnerships for BECCS Project Delivery: Discuss how projects can be structured to make successful BECCS projects happen. Facilitated by: Brett Henkel, Co-founder and Senior Vice President of Business Development, Svante Chris Owttrim, Executive Director for Technology & Innovation, Emissions Reduction Alberta 3. CDR Sustainability Requirements: Discuss what factors make a truly sustainable CDR and BECCS project. Facilitated by: Ian Kuwahara, Director, Energy & Industrial Innovation, Verra April Hillier, Director, Carbon Capture & Sequestration and Industrial Innovation, BMO Radicle |
| 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Lunch, Summary of Workshop Outcomes, & Closing Remarks Grace Meikle, Director for Technology Impact, Emissions Reduction Alberta |
About the Venue
Where better to convene on climate change solutions than surrounded by nature, nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Welcome to the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, our venue for the inaugural BECCS Leadership Summit.
Our main session will take place in the Kinnear Centre for Creativity and Innovation, Room 203/205.
Where to Stay
We have secured a block of rooms at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity for Summit attendees at a competitive rate. Booking details can be found in your emailed event invite. We are required by the venue to use this room block.
Getting Here
If you are arriving via Calgary International Airport, there are several companies who offer airport shuttle services multiple times daily, including Banff Airporter, Brewster Express, and Vivo Green.
Directions for those arriving by personal vehicle:
- Via Buffalo Street: From downtown Banff, follow Buffalo Street and drive up the hill to the Banff Centre. Turn left and follow signs to free parking.
- Via St. Julien Road: From downtown Banff, follow Moose or Wolf Street. Turn right on St. Julien Road and drive up to the Banff Centre.
Find it on Google Maps | Parking at the Banff Centre is free