Carbon Credits Explained: A Key Solution for Reducing Global Carbon Emissions

Carbon credit verification is the process by which an independent third-party agency certifies that a project has effectively reduced or offset greenhouse gas emissions. The verification process is crucial in ensuring that carbon credits are legitimate and that businesses are truly achieving the environmental benefits they claim.

These agencies assess a variety of factors such as project design, monitoring, reporting, and emissions reductions to ensure the carbon credits are valid and can be traded or used for offsetting emissions. Out of all VERRA is one of the most recognized organizations in the carbon credit market. Their Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) program is globally accepted and focuses on providing verification services for emission reduction projects. VERRA works with project developers to ensure that carbon offset projects meet rigorous standards and produce real, measurable, and additional reductions in greenhouse gas emission and Indian government permitted VEERA for certification.

Various criteria should be followed to get certified in carbon credit

1. Practices should be followed which increase carbon sequestration and/or reduce GHG emissions by establishing, increasing or restoring vegetative cover (forest or non-forest) through the planting, sowing or human assisted natural regeneration of woody vegetation.
2. Farmer should follow sustainable harvesting and replanting
3. The project area shall not be cleared of native ecosystems within 10 years before the project start date.
4. Burning of field residues are prohibited
5. No extensive ploughing is allowed
6. Adopt crops which have less water requirement
7. Addition of organic matter in soil
8. Be validated at the time of verification against the applicable set of eligibility criteria.

How much a farmer can earn ?

Carbon credit values are international companies around the globe can buy the credits from the farmers. On an average farmers can get around ₹1200-₹4000 from 1 acre every year.

How farmers can get registered in carbon credit scheme

A farmer can get easily registered in carbon credit scheme by simply downloading the Treekisan app from google play store and add their details.

Trees can be planted

A hectare of trees can absorb 50 tons of carbon, which equals about 180 tons of CO2 in the atmosphere. But not all trees are the same. Some forests store as little as 10 tons of carbon per hectare, while others store over 1,000. So, planting trees to offset emissions or generate carbon credits is more complicated than it seems. Plantation of native trees is beneficial as they require less management and grow vigorously native trees like poplar, bamboo, pomegranate, mango, apple, etc.

Bamboo:
Bamboo stands out due to its remarkable capacity to absorb CO2, growing up to 1.2 meters per day and forming mature groves within just 3 years. It plays a crucial role in preventing soil erosion and restoring degraded areas caused by deforestation or natural disasters. Furthermore, bamboo offers a sustainable alternative to traditional timber sources, addressing the persistent
issue of deforestation.

With its rapid growth rate and numerous environmental benefits, bamboo has the potential to make a significant impact in the fight against climate change. Studies showed that appropriately managed and regularly harvested bamboo forests can sequester more carbon
than if left in their natural state, and moreover, can sequester more carbon than fast-growing tropical and sub-tropical trees in comparable conditions. One study estimates that a one-hectare plantation of bamboo and its products could store 306 tonnes of carbon over a 60-year period compared with 178 tonnes for Chinese fir trees.
This bamboo afforestation project offers numerous climate mitigation advantages:

1. Bamboo’s rapid growth allows it to sequester large volumes of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a short
   period, making it a highly efficient tool in combating climate change.
2. Bamboo, being a grass, allows for selective harvesting without killing the plant, promoting
   new growth and enhancing carbon sequestration both above and below ground through its
   extensive rhizome system, increasing soil carbon levels. This amplifies the climatic benefits.
3. By providing a long-term supply of raw materials for construction and structural material
   markets, the bamboo plantation project indirectly reduces greenhouse gas emissions caused.

Poplar:
Poplar stands out for its rapid growth and versatile wood, offering substantial carbon sequestration potential and ecological benefits. These trees play a significant role in preventing soil erosion and revitalizing degraded areas, particularly in regions affected by deforestation or natural disasters. Poplar’s sustainable timber resources provide an alternative to traditional wood
sources, mitigating deforestation pressures. The fast growth rate of poplar trees, along with their ecological advantages, positions them as valuable allies in the fight against climate change.

Studies have shown that well-managed poplar forests, when regularly harvested, can sequester more carbon than their natural counterparts and even outperform fast-growing tropical and subtropical trees in similar conditions. For example, a one-hectare poplar plantation can absorb up to 25 tons of CO2. The afforestation project involving poplar trees brings multiple climate mitigation benefits, such as rapid carbon sequestration, non-lethal selective harvesting, reduced greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation, and socio-economic empowerment of local communities.
Pomegranate:
Pomegranate trees are distinguished by their resilience and the exceptional ability to enhance carbon sequestration while rejuvenating degraded areas caused by deforestation and natural calamities. In addition to their capacity to sequester carbon, pomegranates yield lucrative fruit that bolsters rural economies and nourishes communities.

These trees also promote soil health and water conservation through their root systems, mitigating soil erosion and improving moisture retention. Pomegranate cultivation aligns perfectly with efforts to combat climate change and uplift rural livelihoods. The afforestation project focusing on pomegranates leverages their numerous advantages, from carbon sequestration and drought resistance to economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.

Apple:
Apple orchards stand out for their iconic fruits and their role in both carbon sequestration and land restoration. These trees play a crucial part in preventing soil erosion and rejuvenating areas affected by deforestation and natural disasters. Beyond their carbon-sequestering potential, apples are a valuable source of income and nutrition. Their dense canopies offer natural windbreaks and shade, reducing soil erosion and water loss. Apple trees are an integral component of efforts to combat climate change while improving rural livelihoods. The apple afforestation project combines the advantages of carbon sequestration with economic sustainability, making it an essential tool in the fight against climate change and rural development.

Mango:
Mango trees are celebrated for their succulent fruits and their remarkable capacity to enhance carbon sequestration while revitalizing degraded regions due to deforestation or natural disasters. In addition to their role in carbon capture, mangoes offer economic benefits and promote soil health and water conservation. Their broad canopies provide shade and reduce wind-induced soil erosion. Cultivating mango trees is a vital component of strategies to combat climate change while supporting rural livelihoods and ecological health. The mango afforestation project leverages these ecological and economic advantages, making it a pivotal tool in climate change mitigation and rural prosperity.

Conditions Prior to Project Initiation

The land before implementation of the project activity should be cultivated, partially-cultivated, fallow, or low-quality private agricultural land, owned by landowners and local communities.

• The project area consists of agricultural land of low quality, fallow land and does not cover any wetland.
• Soil disturbance attributable to the project activity does not cover more than 10 percent of area containing organic soil and grassland

Conclusion

Carbon credit trading in India is essential for meeting both national and global climate goals. With the National Carbon Market initiative, India is on track to become a leader in emissions trading, encouraging industries to adopt sustainable practices while leveraging the country’s vast renewable energy potential. At last the aim of carbon credits is to improve the carbon concentration in soil as it increases the credits and farmers can get maximum profit.

Treekisan’s Role:
We are helping helping farmers to get registered in carbon credit. By simplifying the process, you enable companies to operate sustainably while focusing on their core objectives.