The effect of a local proton source on the activity of a bromotricarbonyl Mn redox catalyst for CO₂ reduction has been investigated. The electrochemical behaviour of the novel complex [fac-Mn(dhbpy)(CO)₃Br] (dhbpy = 4-phenyl-6-(1,3-dihydroxybenzen-2-yl) 2,2′-bipyridine), containing two acidic OH groups in the proximity of the metal centre, under a CO₂ atmosphere showed a sustained catalysis in homogeneous solution even in the absence of Brønsted acids.