Mati Carbon
Climate Transformation Fund • India
Leading carbon removal in paddy fields
Mati Carbon is pioneering a unique approach to carbon removal by enhancing rock weathering in paddy rice fields. The project is particularly noteworthy for its focus on smallholder farmers in the global south, and its ongoing research into reducing methane emissions from paddy farms. Mati Carbon is committed to maximizing the carbon dioxide removal value transfer to these farmers showing a potential for very high social and environmental co-benefits. The company also has a strong focus on measurement, reporting and verification, using methods developed in collaboration with the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture.
Durable carbon removal (CDR)
CDR is one of the most crucial solutions to reach and maintain net-zero emissions and limit global warming. To counterbalance fossil emissions from the long carbon cycle, the carbon removed needs to be stored durably. While solutions for durably removing carbon are still nascent, pre-purchasing carbon removal from startups can help kickstart the sector, making it an affordable and climate-relevant solution in the future. When credits or certificates are bought, they will be retired, meaning they cannot be resold and will not be counted as financial instruments.
Geochemical Solutions, incl. Enhanced rock weathering
Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) refers to capturing CO₂ by spreading crushed silicate rocks on land. In addition to naturally capturing CO₂, this method acts as a fertilizer for the soil it is applied to. The technology grinds waste- or freshly mined ultramafic rocks to a fine powder, that is spread on land. Once applied, the powder reacts with CO₂ solved in water, forming minerals in the soil and bicarbonates in rivers.
Durable carbon removal (CDR)
Canada + 1 countries
Backwater introduces an innovative, shallow-depth geological storage method for dissolved CO₂. This novel approach expands geographic accessibility, enabling co-location of CO2 capture and underground storage. By eliminating transport and reducing well costs, Backwater makes smaller projects cost-effective and unlocks untapped CDR potential in storage-constrained regions.
Durable carbon removal (CDR)
South Africa
CHAI will work on the high impact project of transitioning a portfolio of hospitals in South Africa's Western Cape Province to renewable energy. This could be a high impact measure that is currently not occurring due to the limited capacity of the department of health and because of bureaucratic hurdles to innovative financial and energy contracts. The project has the potential to reduce emissions by hundreds of thousands of tons, and leverages CHAI's extensive experience in health sector procurement and innovative finance.
Durable carbon removal (CDR)
Tanzania
This project develops a mobile app for regreening techniques like Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). The app delivers real-time, location-specific advice directly to farmers' phones. This approach reduces intervention costs by eliminating the need for in-person visits to every location. We already support Justdiggit’s regular work since 2021, and now added this project because it builds on proven FMNR methods, increasing cost-efficiency and potential for rapid scaling in dry landscapes.