The Agro Building Carbon (ABC) project receives a European INTERREG grant. The project is about sequestering CO2 (carbon dioxide) in crops and trees, which are then used as building materials. The project contributes to achieving our climate goals.
ABC stands for Agro Building Carbon. This is the combination of agriculture, construction and carbon in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2). Plants absorb CO2 with their leaves. When we use plants such as straw, wood and bamboo as building materials, we capture the carbon from CO2 for a longer period of time. By sequestering CO2 in soil, plants and building materials, we combat climate change. It helps reduce global warming because greenhouse gases are removed from the air.
Farmers and builders can work together to grow and use building materials. Using these plants as building materials has 2 advantages. The CO2 is then stored in these materials. And we need to use less concrete, bricks and steel. This is because the production of concrete, bricks and steel releases a lot of CO2. In the ABC project, we are developing policy tools together with other European regions. These include regulations, possible subsidies and examples to encourage the cultivation and use of these materials.
Over the next four years, and with the Province of Gelderland as project leader, we will work on the ABC project with nine European countries. These include countries from all parts of Europe (such as Latvia and Greece) and also candidate countries (such as Ukraine and Albania). In May 2025, all partners will meet in Arnhem to officially launch the cooperation.
Climate Cleanup is part of the consortium as knowledge parter. We will leverage our experience as developers of Construction Stored Carbon and as iniatiators of the EU CRCF aligned nature-based removal certification scheme Oncra. We very much look forward to the European collaboration, as it will enable us to both learn from other regions and collectively develop financial and policy instruments that systemically enable the transition from a fossil to regenerative agricultural and construction industries.