Varaha has issued the first-ever Asia-based enhanced rock weathering (ERW) carbon credits verified by Puro.earth, marking the third registry-backed ERW issuance in the world.
With this milestone, Varaha has opened up a new horizon for its carbon dioxide removal (CDR) operations, becoming the world’s first company to achieve verified carbon credit issuances from two separate CO2 removal pathways—ERW and biochar.
The company, currently ranking as the second-largest biochar CDR supplier active on the voluntary carbon market, has issued the ERW credits from its deployment in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, in India.
By partnering and collaborating primarily with cotton-growing smallholder farmers in this location, Varaha has developed a network of ERW activities that spread finely ground basalt rock powder sourced as a waste byproduct from stone crushing sites onto arable land.
Once applied to surface soils, the basalt rock dust starts tackling atmospheric CO2 emissions via a naturally occurring process, converting it into stable bicarbonates.
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Due to the ultra-fine particle size of the basalt rock dust used in these operations, Varaha is able to identify and quantify the carbon sequestration impact with increased precision.
For the farmers that partner with the company, Varaha provides the basalt rock material for free, covering the cost of sourcing, transport, and application.
This approach helps avoid placing a financial burden on farmers, who gain access to a product that lowers the need for artificial fertilizers and boosts the nutrient retention in soils, improving the overall soil quality.
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To track the impact of the project, Varaha combines rigorous science with digital MRV systems, and the certification by Puro.earth validates the company’s transparent, high-integrity method.
Commenting on this major achievement, Varaha co-founder & CEO Madhur Jain stated, “This issuance is not just a validation of our science but also a testament to how climate action can be deeply inclusive.”
“By turning local waste into a global climate solution, we are showing how the path to a cleaner planet runs through the hands of smallholder farmers.”
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