Toronto Climate Week Showcases Canada's $1.2T Carbon Edge

Canada's enormous landscapes are becoming its secret weapon in the race to remove carbon from the atmosphere, and the world is taking notice.

From June 1 to 7, Toronto Climate Week will welcome 10,000 attendees to more than 200 events celebrating climate solutions that make business sense. The focus isn't just feel-good environmentalism. It's about showcasing how Canada's 347 million hectares of boreal forest, 62.2 million hectares of farmland, and 20% of the world's fresh water create real economic opportunities.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Jobs in Canada's environmental and clean tech sector have grown faster than the broader economy for three straight years. Canadian pension giant La Caisse tripled its renewable energy investments between 2017 and 2025, jumping from $9 billion to $27.4 billion.

Companies are already turning Canadian resources into carbon solutions. Mast, a reforestation company, buries trees killed in wildfires deep underground to prevent decomposition and carbon release. The company funds wildfire cleanup by selling carbon credits, and Canada's vast forests make it prime territory for expansion.

"We see there's a huge opportunity for biomass burial projects in Canada," says Brady Paron, senior vice president at Mast. "Canada can be a superpower for this moving forward."

Another innovator, Undo, works with Ontario farmers to crush silicate rocks into powder that captures atmospheric carbon while improving soil health. Farmers benefit from better crops while the company sells carbon credits.

"We are a robust, competitive, for-profit, eat-your-heart-out business, and we do good things," says Peggy Sue Deaven, Undo's general manager for Canada.

The Ripple Effect

Kate Johnston from C40 Cities sees Toronto's event as part of a global movement where cities lead climate action. Cities face climate impacts first, from extreme weather to rising energy costs, and they're responding with solutions that address multiple challenges at once.

The timing matters. A 2025 report found that 66% of investments in Canadian oil and gas infrastructure risk becoming stranded assets as the world shifts away from fossil fuels. Meanwhile, carbon removal is forecast to become a $1.2 trillion industry by 2050.

Toronto Climate Week isn't just about Canadian innovation. It's about showing the world what's possible when natural resources meet smart climate solutions. From turning wildfire debris into carbon storage to spreading crushed rock on farmland, these approaches create jobs, help farmers, and tackle climate change simultaneously.

Canada has the landscapes, the technology, and the business models ready to scale. Now it's time to share them with the world.