Durum Capital Inc. Launches Unique New Carbon Fund

Durum Capital Inc. today announced the launch of Durum Carbon LP, an investment vehicle created to provide financial exposure to global climate change policies while capturing the demands of environmentally conscious investors today. Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy and tightening environmental regulations have led to the creation of a unique market opportunity for the purchase and sale of carbon credits in Canada. Durum Carbon LP ultimately seeks to participate in this market through the strategic acquisition and management of a carbon credit portfolio.

What are carbon credits and how do they work?

Climate change has become an increasingly important issue for many investors around the globe.  Many governments around the world have implemented policies to incentivize heavy emitters to reduce greenhouse gas (“GHG”) output in an effort to slow the climate change trend.

Putting a price on carbon is widely recognized as one of the most efficient means to reduce GHG emissions while also driving innovation. A carbon credit system is a market-based mechanism that incentivizes organizations to reduce overall emissions through the buying and selling of “carbon credits.”

Carbon credits are tradable certificates that allow the holder to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (“CO₂e”) for each carbon credit utilized. For a visual comparison, one carbon credit would equal the carbon dioxide output of approximately 500 fire extinguishers combined. The cost of these emissions is equal to the cost of carbon credits in the market. As environmental regulations continue to tighten, it is expected that the value of carbon credits will increase, further raising the cost of GHG emissions.

Alberta’s Compliance Carbon Market

A carbon credit is created in one of two ways:
1. innovative companies that reduce or remove GHG from the atmosphere can generate carbon credits equal to the amount of CO₂e reduced or removed, or
2. regulated facilities that emit less GHG than they are permitted by government authorities are granted carbon credits. The amount of carbon credits they are granted is equal to the net amount of the emissions shortfall.

These carbon credits can then be sold to and utilized by emitters in the marketplace that exceed their allowable emissions threshold. The purchase of carbon credits will allow the emitter to achieve compliance with environmental regulations and avoid paying a penalty in the form of the TIER² Fund Credit price or a carbon price. Carbon credits trade over the counter and are typically priced at a discount to the prevailing government-mandated carbon price, currently set at $50/tCO₂e³.

Durum Carbon LP Strategy

The Government of Canada has proposed an increase in the carbon price of $15/tCO₂e each year until 2030. From the current level of $50/tCO₂e, this equates to an increase of 240%⁴.
In a market known for its opaqueness and complexity, Durum Carbon LP’s strategy is a novelty in that it is both transparent and simple. Durum Carbon LP will purchase and hold over-the-counter carbon credits, and then sell them at a premium as the carbon price appreciates and when return targets are met. Management will actively monitor international compliance and voluntary markets to assess arbitrage opportunities and/or rebalance the carbon credit portfolio as global carbon markets mature. Through Durum Carbon LP, investors gain unique exposure to the rapidly growing asset class of carbon credits.

The importance of strong governance in an emerging asset class

Climate change and associated carbon markets have garnered the interests of some of the most influential organizations in the world: governments, insurance agencies, pension plans, and even central banks. With that type of attention, there will inevitably be a variety of different carbon-related investment opportunities on the horizon.
Management believes that Durum Carbon LP’s strong governance, robust credit strategy, extensive network, and years of energy trading experience provide a competitive advantage in today’s thinly traded carbon market.

About Durum Carbon LP

Durum Carbon LP is an investment vehicle created to provide investors with unique exposure to the rapidly growing asset class of carbon credits. Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy and tightening environmental regulations have led to the creation of a unique market opportunity for the purchase and sale of carbon credits in Canada. Durum Carbon LP ultimately seeks to participate in this market through the strategic acquisition and management of a carbon credit portfolio. Durum Carbon LP is a listed entity on the Alberta Carbon Registry and currently purchases carbon credits under Alberta’s Technology Innovation and Emissions Reductions regulatory framework.

About Durum Capital Inc.

Durum Capital Inc. is an asset manager focused on investments that require unique skills to uncover true value. Durum offers expertise in financing, governance, and operational efficiencies, ultimately creating alternatives to bring transparency to opaque situations in private markets.