– Strengthening Research Collaboration on the Phitsanulok Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) Project to Accelerate Science-Based Carbon Credit Generation –
Green Carbon Inc. (CEO: Jun Okita; hereinafter “Green Carbon”), a company engaged in the development and sale of nature-based carbon credits, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Naresuan University (NU), a national university in Thailand.
The MOU aims to advance a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction project in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand, utilizing Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)* practices in rice paddies.
Through this collaboration, the parties will strengthen systems for measuring, analyzing, and evaluating GHG emissions, with the goal of establishing a scientifically robust, high-quality agricultural carbon credit generation model.
○For inquiries regarding this release and further details, please click here.
○Download Green Carbon Inc. overview here.
◆ Background: Entering the Implementation Phase of the AWD Project in Thailand
As the project moves toward large-scale deployment, establishing a highly robust MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) system that complies with international carbon credit standards will be a critical success factor.
○Farmer Engagement Session under the University-Industry Collaborative Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) Project
○Scene from the Joint Stakeholder Meeting with Green Carbon, the University, Local Government Authorities, and Farmer Leaders
◆ Objective of the MOU: Enhancing Scientific Integrity and Establishing a Scalable Framework for Expansion
Naresuan University, a leading national university based in Phitsanulok Province, has an established track record of excellence in agricultural and environmental sciences.
Under this MOU, Green Carbon Inc. and Naresuan University will advance collaborative research initiatives with the following objectives:
- Precise measurement of GHG emissions in AWD rice paddies
- Scientific evaluation of emission reduction impacts
- Development of a data infrastructure aligned with international carbon credit standards
- Establishment of research and demonstration models to support large-scale implementation
Through this partnership, the existing AWD implementation will be reinforced with rigorous academic validation, supporting the creation of internationally recognized, high-quality agricultural carbon credits.
○Scene from Gas Emissions Analysis in the University Laboratory
The respective roles of Green Carbon and NU are outlined as follows:
| Green Carbon | Responsible for the design, development, and implementation of the AWD project, as well as for leading the carbon credit strategy, selecting appropriate methodologies, and managing overall project operations. |
| Naresuan University | Responsible for measuring, analyzing, and evaluating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, conducting scientific validation and research support, and ensuring data quality and reliability. |
◆ Expected Social and Environmental Impact
The following outcomes are expected from this collaboration.
| 1. Establishment of an MRV framework aligned with international standards. | Generation of high-quality carbon credits supported by scientific evidence. |
| 2. Promotion of low-carbon transformation in Thailand’s agricultural sector. | Improvement of water efficiency and dissemination of sustainable rice cultivation models. |
| 3. Enhancement of farmer income. | Achievement of both low-carbon agriculture and economic viability. |
| 4. Establishment of a scalable nationwide expansion model. | Deployment across Thailand, with Phitsanulok positioned as a model province. |
＜About Naresuan University (NU)＞
Naresuan University (NU) is a national comprehensive university headquartered in Phitsanulok Province in northern Thailand. Established in 1990, it is regarded as one of Thailand’s research-oriented institutions, with particular strengths in agriculture, environmental science, engineering, and medical and public health sciences.
Naresuan University has a strong track record in research on paddy field management, climate change impact assessment, agricultural GHG emissions measurement, and water resource management. Its expertise makes it a well-suited academic partner for the scientific validation of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) practices and methane reduction in agriculture.
○Location of Phitsanulok Province
◆Future Outlook
Green Carbon Inc. will further enhance the AWD implementation model in Phitsanulok Province through this collaboration and accelerate its scale-up across Thailand.
At the same time, the company aims to establish an agricultural carbon credit generation model that integrates academic expertise with practical project implementation, while also positioning the initiative for expansion into international markets, including Southeast Asia.
Moving forward, Green Carbon will continue to promote the social implementation of decarbonization in the agricultural sector, with a focus on achieving both climate change mitigation and sustainable food production.
○Photo with Green Carbon staff, the Dean, and professors at Naresuan University
※1：Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)
Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) is a water management technique in which irrigation and natural drying are alternated every few days based on the water level in the paddy field. Compared to continuous flooding, AWD reduces water usage and contributes to the conservation of water resources.
◆Green Carbon Inc.
Representative : Jun Okita, Representative Director (CEO)
Head Office. : 9F, Hanzomon PREX North, 2-3-2 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Established : December 12, 2019
Business Activities: Carbon credit generation and sales; agriculture-related businesses; environmental-related businesses; other related operations; and ESG consulting services.
URL ： https://green-carbon.co.jp/
◆About Green Carbon
Guided by the vision of “Harnessing the power of life to save the Earth,” Green Carbon develops and supports projects that generate, register, and sell nature-based carbon credits both in Japan and abroad. The company is also engaged in agriculture-related businesses, R&D initiatives, and ESG consulting.
Its business activities span Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia, and South America, creating credits from rice paddies, biochar, forest conservation, carbon farming, mangrove planting, and cattle methane reduction. In Japan, Green Carbon obtained certification in FY2023 for the country’s first and one of the largest-scale rice paddy J-Credit projects (approx. 6,220 t). In FY2024, the company plans to expand this initiative to around 40,000 ha (approx. 80,000 t).
Green Carbon also provides “Agreen,” a one-stop platform service that streamlines the entire process of credit registration, application, and sales. By simplifying procedures and documentation, the service reduces the administrative burden on credit creators.
◆Green Carbon’s social media
Carbon Credits Journal：https://biz-journal.jp/carboncredits/
Linkedin ：https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-carbon-inc/
Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557429326458
X ：https://mobile.x.com/GreenCarbon2019
Wantedly：https://www.wantedly.com/companies/greencarbon2019
Youtube ：https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYO4WnGOHDaVB1ikxheZasA
note ：https://note.com/green_carbon/