Mitr Phol Requests an Increase in Premium T-VER to Adjust Cane Growing for Carbon Sequestration and Reduction
The Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation (Public Organization), or TGO, has upgraded the voluntary greenhouse gas reduction project under the Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction (T-VER) standard to a Premium T-VER carbon credit standard in Thailand.
Premium T-VER is a high-quality carbon credit certification standard that aligns with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, aiming for international recognition and tradeability. It is designed to be accepted at the global level, and is currently attracting interest from project developers seeking to register their carbon credits.
As of June 2024, the TGO reports that there are 27 Premium T-VER projects expressing interest in development (Modalities of communication – MoC). Out of these, 4 projects have been registered under the removal category, with an estimated annual greenhouse gas reduction or sequestration of 19,517 tons of CO2 equivalent. It is anticipated that carbon credits from these Premium T-VER projects will begin entering the domestic voluntary carbon market within 3-5 years (2027-2029).
The Premium T-VER standard involves a more rigorous registration process with TGO compared to the standard T-VER. This process requires stakeholder consultations as part of the registration application, which has resulted in fewer projects expressing interest in development so far.
However, there are some interesting project proposals for development (Modalities of Communication – MoC) that have been submitted to the TGO. These include a project aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the cane production system in plantation areas of Mitr Phol Group, managed by Rai Dan Chang Co., Ltd., in Dan Chang District, Suphan Buri Province. This covers a cane cultivation area of 6,801 rai, spanning Suphan Buri and Uthai Thani provinces in the central region and Kanchanaburi Province in the western region. Additionally, Rai Isan Co., Ltd., located in Phu Khieo District, Chaiyaphum Province, is managing a cane cultivation area of 14,421 rai, covering Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, and Nong Bua Lam Phu provinces. In total, these areas amount to 21,222 rai. They are requesting registration for Premium T-VER, a type of certification for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the forestry and agricultural sectors.
The project has a carbon credit calculation period of 5 years (2024-2028) and is expected to reduce or sequester 383,227 tons of CO2 equivalent per year. Over the 5-year period, the total reduction and sequestration of greenhouse gases is projected to be approximately 1,916,135 tons of CO2 equivalent. The total investment for the project, including costs for sugarcane cultivation, harvesting, and transportation, is estimated at an average of 14,000 baht per rai per year.
Currently, sugarcane production systems involve activities that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, including soil preparation, irrigation, and fertilization. Therefore, activities related to the implementation of the project are crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting carbon sequestration in the soil.
The Mitr Phol Group’s project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon sequestration in the soil is the only one in Thailand that involves changes to current sugarcane cultivation practices. This project aims to address the emissions from soil preparation, irrigation systems, and fertilization, thereby modifying the existing production system to reduce its greenhouse gas footprint.
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the project has introduced changes to the sugarcane cultivation system across various activities. One significant adjustment is the reduction in tillage practices. Instead of tilling the entire field before planting new sugarcane, the new approach involves tilling only the raised bed areas. This change reduces the soil preparation area by approximately half and helps conserve fuel.
The adjustment to the irrigation system involves replacing diesel-powered pumps with a solar-powered irrigation system. This change not only helps increase farmers’ income but also reduces CO2 emissions by 17,622 tons per year. Additionally, it results in a 41% savings compared to using water with diesel-powered pumps.
The change in fertilization practices involves shifting from using tractors for fertilizer application to methods such as foliar fertilization or fertigation via drip irrigation. Additionally, controlled-release fertilizers are used to reduce and slow down nitrogen release. This approach can decrease the amount of nitrogen fertilizer needed by 30-50% compared to conventional formulations. The mechanism of controlled-release fertilizers helps to delay the release of nitrogen, optimizing its availability and minimizing environmental impact.
Additionally, the project has adopted the use of drones for spraying pesticides. This method helps save labor and diesel fuel, reducing diesel consumption by 1 liter per Rai land, which in turn decreases CO2 emissions by 2.7 kg CO2 per Rai land.
To enhance carbon sequestration in the soil and improve soil health, biochar has been introduced to help retain soil moisture. Biochar contains stable carbon, also known as black carbon, which contributes to carbon sequestration in the soil. Additionally, the practice of incorporating bagasse and then tilling it into the soil before planting further supports soil health and carbon storage.
Organic matter is used to improve soil fertility and increase carbon sequestration. Bagasse, with its fiber content of 45-55%, is incorporated into the soil to enhance carbon storage. Additionally, leaving sugarcane residues in the field instead of burning them, and applying filter cake from sugar mills, provide a food source for soil microorganisms.
However, the project is currently undergoing an external evaluation to assess its feasibility, which will be considered in the review of the project proposal.
