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In a landmark achievement for the carbon removal industry, InPlanet, in collaboration with ClimeFi, has announced the issuance of the world’s first independently verified Enhanced Rock Weathering carbon removal credits. A total of 235.53 carbon dioxide removal credits have been verified by Isometric, marking a major step forward in scaling this promising climate solution. These first verified Enhanced Rock Weathering credits will be delivered to Adyen, a global payments platform.
This milestone signifies a breakthrough in carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategies by proving that Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) can be implemented at scale with robust MRV.
What Is Enhanced Rock Weathering, & Why Does It Matter?
ERW is a process that accelerates the natural weathering of rocks to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In nature, carbon dioxide dissolved in water reacts with minerals in rocks, forming stable carbon compounds that are eventually transported to the ocean, where they are securely stored for millennia. ERW accelerates this natural reaction by grinding silicate rocks into fine powder and spreading them on agricultural land. Until now, ERW has lacked the rigorous testing and verification required to fully prove its effectiveness in the field.
The Serra da Mantiqueira Project: A Key Deployment
These verified ERW credits come from InPlanet’s pioneering work at the Serra da Mantiqueira project in São Paulo State, Brazil. This project is the first to apply ERW to the unique conditions of Brazil’s tropical soils. The region’s abundant basalt deposits allow for efficient sourcing and transport of materials, while the tropical climate — characterized by high temperatures and heavy rainfall — accelerates the weathering process, making Brazil an ideal location for scaling ERW.
InPlanet is also working closely with local farmers, using ERW to restore soils, boost agricultural productivity, and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers. This collaboration has not only contributed to climate mitigation but is also helping farmers transition to more sustainable, nature-based agricultural practices.
“We are thrilled to see our vision for Enhanced Weathering become a reality,” said Felix Harteneck, Founder & CEO of InPlanet. “The project in Brazil showcases how ERW can be implemented at scale, helping to remove CO₂ while simultaneously supporting sustainable agricultural practices and local communities.”
Rigorous Monitoring, Reporting, & Verification
The verification of these first ERW credits was carried out according to InPlanet’s Enhanced Weathering Protocol, a rigorous MRV standard designed to ensure the highest level of scientific integrity. The verification process included direct measurements from soil and porewater, as well as robust statistical analysis of control and treatment plots to ensure that carbon removal was accurately quantified.
ClimeFi, a leading platform for carbon finance, played a crucial role in facilitating the delivery of these credits. As a key player in connecting high-quality carbon removal projects with buyers, ClimeFi enabled Adyen’s purchase of these first verified EW credits.
“At ClimeFi, we’re dedicated to helping organizations access the highest-quality, verified carbon removals,” said Paolo Piffaretti, Co-Founder & CEO of ClimeFi. “The delivery of the world’s first verified ERW credits is a game-changer for the voluntary carbon market. We are proud to facilitate this breakthrough collaboration and support Adyen in their commitment to achieving net-zero emissions.”
Data Transparency & Ongoing Innovation
Additionally, InPlanet’s data will be anonymized and shared with Cascade Climate, a non-profit organization advancing scientific rigor in ERW. Cascade’s Data Quarry platform will allow researchers to access verified commercial data, further accelerating the development of ERW models and scaling the technology globally.
The issuance of these first-ever independently verified ERW credits marks a wonderful moment for the carbon removal. By demonstrating that ERW can be rigorously verified and deployed, InPlanet and ClimeFi are helping to lay the groundwork for widespread adoption of this promising solution.
“The transparency and scientific rigor behind these EW credits is crucial for building trust in the carbon removal market,” said Harteneck. “We are proud to be leading the way in making Enhanced Weathering a credible, scalable solution that can remove gigatons of CO₂ from the atmosphere.”
In other CDR news: ClimeFi recently made headlines by launching the Global1000 Challenge with XPRIZE.
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