Unlocking Nature-Based Carbon Capital for Global Decarbonization
Authors: Inbar Morag and Jennifer Doc-Habany
Climate change demands innovative and collective solutions. The necessity of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is no longer a question – it’s a critical pillar in achieving net zero emissions. The demand for mature, resilient carbon markets to drive decarbonization is increasing, and the global voluntary offset market is taking off, expected to reach $200 billion by 2050. Yet a key obstacle to market scaling remains: establishing consensus on robust frameworks and standards for high-integrity carbon credits, particularly those derived from nature-based solutions.
International carbon credit organizations are updating their standards and are in the process of coalescing. Yet the evolving carbon credit market is still characterized by multiple players attempting to “harmonize” and align with international net zero standards.
At Groundwork BioAg, we know that mycorrhizal carbon is nature’s most powerful and scalable solution for permanent carbon sequestration. While scaling nature-based solutions globally as an industry requires a global MRV framework, we’re not waiting for the standards to catch up to us as a company. Instead, we’re already adhering to rigorous international criteria while defining the premium mycorrhizal carbon credit asset class from the ground up.
Mycorrhizal Carbon is Premium
In April 2024, the European Parliament formally approved the first EU-wide voluntary framework for carbon removal certification – the Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) – setting the stage for a unified system of standards. The CRCF lays out criteria for premium carbon removal benchmarking: all projects will be subject to “QU.A.L.ITY” standards—Quantification, Additionality, Long-term Storage, and Sustainability—to guarantee their effectiveness.
Rootella Carbon – our mycorrhizal carbon project – demonstrates how we already meet these standards:
- Quantification: We utilize the Verra-approved methodology – the first international protocol recognizing the use of fungal inoculants for enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks.
- Additionality: We believe farmers deserve to benefit from carbon credits, regardless of existing practices. Our program methodology automatically enlarges the pool of eligible participants. Furthermore, the cost of implementing and meeting the monitoring requirements of a carbon development project, including sampling, soil testing, data collection, monitoring, and education, is borne by both growers and Groundwork BioAg. Carbon offsets help financially mitigate the risk of implementing these activities.
- Long-term: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) promote stable Mineral Associated Organic Matter (MAOM) formation in soil, which can comprise up to 66% of Total Organic Carbon in healthy soil and reside permanently for millennia.
- Sustainability: AMF enhance both above and below-ground biodiversity. They facilitate nutrient uptake by plants, improve soil properties, and enhance resistance to pathogens. They also contribute to root exudates that feed microbes, further building soil carbon.
Leading the Way for Nature-Based Carbon Dioxide Removal
Climate change demands gigaton-scale carbon removal solutions. While certification bodies establish market standards, Rootella Carbon is already contributing to efforts to reach net-zero goals. Our leapfrog technology unlocks the power of mycorrhizae for farmer benefits and real-world climate impact today.
While our technology innovations and adherence to standards are critical, it’s our commitment to a strong foundation of farmer partnerships that ensures Rootella Carbon’s longevity and impact. By prioritizing farmers, we’ve created a model for sustainable soil carbon sequestration that, like mycorrhiza, is rooted in real reciprocal relationships. Our pioneering farmer cohort, including veterans like Sledge Taylor, who farms his two century-old family farm, consistently praises Rootella Carbon as a win-win solution. These partnerships are the bedrock of the durability and integrity of our carbon credits.
Together, we’re pioneering the mycorrhizal carbon credit asset class.
Opportunity to Scale Net-Negative Agriculture Together
Groundwork BioAg offers a unique opportunity for partners seeking high-impact, premium carbon removal solutions. Join us as we redefine the VCM landscape and scale net-negative agriculture with premium mycorrhizal carbon credits.
