Mati's ERW Milestone

April 3, 2024

India Realising its Potential as a Global Leader in Durable Carbon Removal - Congratulations to Mati Carbon for Delivering the First Enhanced Rock Weathering Carbon Removal Credits in the Global South

As the Carbon Removal India Alliance (CRIA), we are excited to share a significant milestone achieved by one of our esteemed founding members, Mati Carbon. They have successfully delivered their first carbon dioxide removal (CDR) tons to Frontier buyers, marking a pivotal moment not just for Mati Carbon, but for the durable CDR sector in India, and highlighting the crucial role of climate markets in promoting rural inclusive growth and a just transition.

In September last year, Mati Carbon joined the frontier 2023 cohort. Frontier is a leading Durable Carbon Removal Purchasing Coalition), embarking on a journey that led to the delivery of their first CDR credits in March 2024. This accomplishment underscores their dedication to high-quality, durable carbon dioxide removal, employing rigorous monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) techniques to ensure the integrity of their CDR efforts.

Mati Carbon's work extends beyond carbon removal. They are at the forefront of implementing Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) techniques, which play a crucial role in remineralising the soils of smallholder farmers. ERW is a process where ground-up rocks are spread on the soil to accelerate the natural absorption of CO2, turning it into stable bicarbonate compounds. This innovative approach not only sequesters carbon but also enhances soil fertility and agricultural productivity, offering a sustainable solution to the dual challenges of climate change and food security.

Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) is a sophisticated technique leveraging geochemical processes to mitigate climate change and improve agricultural efficacy, particularly pertinent for India. Here’s a concise, technical overview of ERW:

Geochemical Process: ERW enhances the natural weathering of silicate and carbonate minerals, which react with atmospheric CO2 to form stable bicarbonates, thus sequestering CO2 efficiently. Pulverising rocks increases surface area, expediting this reaction.
Soil Benefits: Applying rock dust to soil delivers essential nutrients (like calcium, magnesium) improving soil fertility and reducing synthetic fertilizer reliance. This sustains crop productivity and enhances soil health.
Water Retention: ERW can improve soil structure, increasing water retention capacity, beneficial in arid regions, thereby enhancing drought resistance.
Ecosystem Resilience: ERW contributes to agricultural resilience against climate variability, promoting biodiversity and ecological health through improved soil conditions.
Economic and Adoption Factors: The success of ERW hinges on its cost-effectiveness, benefits like yield improvement, and social acceptance. Carbon credit revenue can also be a significant incentive.
Scalability and Resources: The availability of suitable rock types (e.g., basalt, olivine) and the logistics of their processing and distribution are crucial for ERW's large-scale applicability in India.
Research Needs: Optimising rock particle size for maximum carbon sequestration efficiency and understanding long-term ecological impacts are essential for advancing ERW.

ERW represents a multi-benefit approach to carbon sequestration, enhancing soil quality and agricultural productivity, with the potential for significant impact in India's diverse climatic and agricultural landscapes.

The success of Mati Carbon is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in the climate sector. It has been made possible through the collective effort of partners, supporters, and collaborators who have been instrumental in research and field operations. As CRIA, we are proud to support and amplify the work of our members like Mati Carbon, who are leading the way in scalable and sustainable carbon removal practices.

We are committed to fostering an environment where such innovative solutions can thrive, benefiting smallholder farmers and contributing significantly to global efforts against climate change.