Aims to create a total of approximately 200,000 tons of credits over 10 years.
Green Carbon Inc. (CEO: Jun Okita, hereinafter referred to as Green Carbon), a company engaged in nature-based carbon credit creation and sales, has launched the “1.5 Million Hectares Rice Paddy Project” aiming to create carbon credits in half of the AWD (Alternate Wetting and Drying) capable rice paddies in Thailand in 2027. As the first phase, we are pleased to announce the commencement of the AWD project (hereinafter referred to as “the project”) demonstration in Kamphaeng Phet Province, northern Thailand, to create carbon credits from rice paddies.
The project will start a pilot demonstration on approximately 7 hectares of fields from January 2025, with the goal of expanding the target area to a maximum of 50,000 hectares within five years. Furthermore, leveraging the knowledge gained from this project, we aim to expand to approximately 1.5 million hectares of rice paddies, which is half of the rice paddies in Thailand. This initiative will contribute to the decarbonization of the entire country and improve the income of local farmers through credits.
〇For inquiries regarding this project and press release:
○To download Green Carbon Inc. Company Profile:
◆Background and Roles of The Project
Green Carbon is dedicated to creating nature-based carbon credits, primarily in Southeast Asia. Our initiatives include a wide range of projects such as forest conservation, rice paddies, mangrove reforestation, reducing methane emissions from cattle, and biochar projects. We develop carbon credit creation projects tailored to the characteristics of natural resources in each region and achieve efficient and transparent project management by utilizing satellite data for site selection and monitoring.
The total GHG emissions in Thailand’s agricultural sector amount to approximately 58.49 million tons. Especially GHG emissions from rice paddies alone accounting for about 30 million tons (approximately 51% of the total). Reducing these emissions is a challenge in the agricultural sector.
In response to this background, Green Carbon launched the “1.5 Million Hectares Rice Paddy Project” in 2027, aiming to create carbon credits in half of the AWD-capable rice paddies in Thailand. Furthermore, in October 2024, Green Carbon signed an MOU with Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon (hereinafter reffered to as “RMUTP”) and Zimmermann Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred as “Zimmermann”) to expand nature-based carbon credit creation activities in Thailand. They are working on developing a carbon credit creation project from rice paddies through the introduction of AWD. Against this backdrop, they started a pilot demonstration in Kamphaeng Phet Province, northern Thailand, on January 25, 2025.
◆Project Overview
This project aims to reduce methane emissions and improve crop yields through the introduction of AWD. Additionally, it seeks to register projects and create credits using Thailand’s voluntary carbon market, Premium T-VER※2, and the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM※3), thereby securing investments and increasing farmers’ income. Specifically, it is expected to bring an additional income of approximately 100 USD/ha/year to farmers※4.
| ＜Project Structure＞ ※The project will be carried out under the following structure. |
|---|
| ◆RMUTP/RMUTT Recommendations and Introduction of AWD to Local Farmers, Methane Gas Measurement, and Establishment of Cooperation Framework with Relevant Organizations (RMUTP will cooperate with Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT), which is part of the same university group). |
| ◆Zimmermann Secure Land for Project Implementation and Conduct Necessary Field Surveys |
| ◆Green Carbon Design optimal project plans, handle the application and registration of carbon credits, and secure investors for the project. |
| Pilot Demonstration Overview |
|---|
| 【Location】Khlong Khlung District and Wang Yang District, Kamphaeng Phet Province, Thailand |
| 【Area】6.56 ha |
| 【Period】January to March 2025 (3 months) |
| 【Purpose】Data collection on methane gas reduction and crop yield, and demonstration to expand AWD introduction |
| 【Selection Criteria】Low risk of flooding and water shortage (based on analysis of past flood data) |
◆Future Outlook
Green Carbon aims to expand this project across Thailand based on the effectiveness verification of AWD introduction through this pilot demonstration. Specifically, the following phased expansion is planned. Moving forward, Green Carbon is committed to promote sustainable agriculture through the introduction of AWD in rice paddies, balancing environmental conservation and development of local agricultural communities.
| 【Expansion in Kamphaeng Phet Province】 |
|---|
| Expand AWD introduction area to a maximum of 50,000 hectares over the next 5 years |
| Expect a total CO2 reduction of approximately 200,000 tons over 10 years with an additional 5 years of continuation |
| 【Expansion Across Thailand】 |
|---|
| Launch the rice paddy project on a total of 1.5 million hectares of fields in Thailand by 2027 (1.5 Million Hectares Rice Paddy Project) |
| Expect an annual CO2 reduction effect of approximately 7.5 million tons |
◯Recruitment of Project Partners
In expanding this project, Green Carbon is seeking the following participants:
· Farmers, companies, and organizations interested in participating in the project
· Investors interested in this project
· Local staff in Thailand
Please contact us at the following URL：https://green-carbon.co.jp/recruit-contact/
※1：AWD（Alternate Wetting and Drying）
AWD is a technique used in rice paddies where water is alternately applied and allowed to dry naturally based on the water level every few days. Compared to continuous flooding, this method reduces water usage and contributes to the conservation of water resources.
※2：Premium T-VER （Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction Program)
A voluntary carbon credit system which The Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) operates.
T-VER has two types of credits: regular credits and Premium credits. Premium credits, in particular, are certified by meeting strict standards and are higher value credits. They are expected to be traded at a higher economic value compared to regular T-VER credits.
※3：JCM（Joint Crediting Mechanism）
The JCM is a bilateral system led by the Japanese government to disseminate Japan’s advanced decarbonization technologies. It supports partner countries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the resulting reductions are applied to the emission reduction targets of both countries. As of February 2024, 29 countries are participating in the JCM as partner nations.
※4：Approximately 100 USD/ha/year as additional income for farmers
Calcurated based on revenue returns from carbon credits, water usage reduction (30-40%) through AWD introduction, and improved crop yields.
◆Green Carbon, Inc.
Representative ：Jun Okita, CEO
Location ：Isal AKASAKA607, 5-2-33 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Establishment ：December 2019
Business ：Carbon credit creation and sales business, agriculture-related business, environment-related business, other related businesses and ESG consulting business
URL ： https://green-carbon.co.jp/
◆Business Introduction of Green Carbon
Green Carbon operates with the vision of “Saving the Earth with the Power of Life”, by providing comprehensive support for the creation, registration, and sales of carbon credits in domestic and international markets. We are also expanding our business operations in wider industries including the agriculture, research & development, and ESG consulting. Our operations are primarily based in Japan and Southeast Asia, while currently expanding business in Australia and South America. We create naturally derived carbon credits from sources including water paddies, biochar, forest conservation, carbon farming, mangrove plantation, and methane from cattle eructation. Our main focus is on generating carbon credits through methane gas reduction in rice paddies, where we have obtained the first and largest certification for J-Credits in Japan (approximately 6,220 tons), and plan to expand to around 40,000 hectares (approximately 100,000 tons) in the fiscal year 2024. We also offer a service called “Agreen” that integrates credit registration, application, and sales into one platform, simplifying procedures such as application registration and document preparation, thus reducing workload for credit creators.
◆GREEN CARBON JAPAN VIETNAM COMPANY LIMITED
Abbreviation ：GREEN CARBON JAPAN VIETNAM CO,. LTD
Representative ：Jun Okita, CEO
Location ：10th Floor, The Nexus Building, 34-3B Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Establishment ：August, 2024
Businesses ：Carbon credit creation and sales businesses, agriculture-related business
◆Social Media for Green Carbon
YouTube ：https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYO4WnGOHDaVB1ikxheZasA
note ：https://note.com/green_carbon/
Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557429326458
X ：https://mobile.x.com/GreenCarbon2019
Linkedin ：https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-carbon-inc/