- Alt Carbon, a Darjeeling-based company, is using a geo-chemical process called rock weathering to accelerate natural carbon removal and generate carbon credits.
- The company uses basaltic rock, rich in calcium and magnesium, which naturally breaks down over thousands of years, trapping atmospheric carbon in the form of bicarbonates.
- Alt Carbon accelerates this process by crushing basaltic rock into fine powder, enhancing its carbon capture potential by 10 to 100 times.
- This crushed basalt is spread on tea estates, enriching soil and sequestering carbon at a faster rate.
- Spreading basalt dust on soil increases its surface area.
- Approximately 3-4 tonnes of basalt dust can sequester 1 tonne of carbon in 2-4 years.
- Alt Carbon has partnered with Frontier, a consortium of companies like Meta and Alphabet, to sell carbon credits generated through this process.
| Article 6 of the Paris Agreement It enables countries to cooperate voluntarily to achieve their climate goals and provides financial support to developing nations. It allows countries to transfer carbon credits from greenhouse gas emission reductions to help meet national targets. Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM): A high-integrity carbon crediting mechanism that identifies opportunities for verifiable emission reductions, attracts funding and facilitates cooperation between countries. Climate Finance for Developing Nations: A share of proceeds from PACM supports adaptation funding to build resilience against climate impacts. Global Emission Reduction Trading: Allows companies to reduce emissions and sell credits across borders to meet climate obligations. |
Dig Deeper: Read about the Carbon Cycle.
