How can we fund entrepreneurs who remove carbon through nature? That question led to the creation of ONCRA, our initiative to help both large- and small-scale Removers quantify and monetise the carbon they store. Many frontrunners identified this as a key need, and now it’s paying off: over 80 projects have been certified, real project financing is underway, and governments and companies looking to clean up their emissions can easily connect with these Removers.
Since its launch at COP27 in Egypt, Oncra now features over 80 projects removing a combined 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide (equivalent to the annual emissions of over 5,000 households). These projects do more than capture carbon: they restore biodiversity, improve soil and water, create jobs, and drive the transition from a fossil to regenerative economy.
Together we are learning. We are discovering how perennial crops (like most crops for bio-based building materials) not only store carbon but also dramatically improve soil health (yearly plowing and Roundup don’t really work on multi-year crops). We are learning now just wood (like CLT) can support ten stories tall buildings. The stories behind these projects are often extraordinary. In our newsletter we will share more about the projects and the removers.
We are proud to welcome nine new removers to the Oncra family: Bosvol Smaak, Nooyen, Paulownia Agrovation, Zorgboerderij Blommendal, Metamorphosis, Buena Onda agroforestry in Brazil, Akkerbouw Kaput, Underground Forest Sleeuwijk, and from Ukraine we welcome Zeleni Kruchi Permaculture Center.
Despite broader market headwinds, ONCRA continues to see weekly sales. More details will be shared at the conference on May 28. Please find details about new and existing projects by visiting the Oncra Registry at registry.oncra.org.