All projects within the Climate Transformation Fund

PyroCCS pioneers sustainable industrial biochar carbon removal in the Global South, deploying its own low-cost, robust, pyrolysis systems powered by renewable energy and backed by a digital measurement and reporting solution. These plants efficiently convert invasive acacia bushes in Namibia, a significant threat to the savanna ecosystem, into high-quality biochar, while providing critical employment in regions with high youth unemployment rates. PyroCCS's scalable technology, which they are also offering as a solution to other project developers, not only captures carbon but also supports local agricultural and environmental recovery as well as food security.

BIOSORRA aims to revolutionize sustainable agriculture in the Global South by transforming crop waste into biochar, enhancing soil health and crop yields. Partnering with over 2,036 farmers to date, BIOSORRA's patented pyrolysis technology creates a durable carbon sink and improves farming efficiency. Emphasizing community and climate justice, BIOSORRA supports women-led businesses and empowers local farmers with affordable biochar, boosting food security and environmental resilience.

Solidaridad and Planboo are teaming up to transform agricultural practices and combat climate change by utilizing biochar in a decentralized way. By collaborating, Solidaridad’s extensive experience in sustainable agriculture and Planboo’s innovative digital MRV system which includes an internet-connected (IoT) device, verification at scale can be achieved. Their partnership hopes to empower over 100,000 smallholder farmers in Zambia converting cotton stalks into biochar, increasing their incomes, improving soil health and permanently removing carbon from the atmosphere.

Holocene has developed a continuous, low-temperature, thermochemical direct air capture technology, which combines the best of both traditional DAC approaches. The continuous, liquid absorption system coupled with a solid, low-temperature desorption, brings the benefits of affordability, scale, and flexibility inherent in such an approach. Holocene's proprietary combination of organic sorbents unlocks this whitespace, which can be more scalable and affordable than alternatives.

Phlair is advancing a novel Direct Air Capture approach utilizing innovative electrochemical technology. This process captures CO₂ from the atmosphere using a basified solvent, transforming it into bicarbonates, and then releasing it as gaseous CO₂. The technology is uniquely capable of matching renewable electricity generation curves and is designed to be cost-effective, energy-efficient, and scalable. With its modular design and reliance on existing supply chains, Phlair's approach has the potential for rapid upscaling. The project is currently at a promising stage of development, with a clear path to commercialization.

Ucaneo is pioneering a biomimetic Direct Air Capture technology. Their innovative approach combines solvents with (bio)catalytic properties and electrochemistry, resulting in a process that can be more energy and cost-efficient than traditional methods. Ucaneo's prototype has demonstrated the capacity to remove roughly 1 ton of CO2 per year, with scalable modular units designed to remove ~500-1000 tons of CO2 annually. Their unique use of electrochemistry and (bio)catalysts, along with an interchangeable modular and scalable design, sets them apart.

Yama is a pioneering Direct Air Capture company with innovative technology that integrates a scalable, low-grade heat source with electrochemistry. Yama's solution addresses key limitations in existing approaches by enhancing energy efficiency, large scale carbon capture, combined with strategic partnerships, indicates a strong potential for scalability.

Gaia Refinery is pioneering a unique carbon dioxide removal technology that merges Direct Air Capture with Biomass Carbon Removal. This innovative approach utilizes liquid DAC capture technology and biogenic sources of acetic acid to capture three streams of CO2, offering a potentially more cost-effective solution than current DAC technologies. The hybrid technology requires less electricity, captures more CO2 per ton of biomass, and can achieve efficient scale at a smaller plant size.

Vycarb's innovative approach to carbon removal focuses on converting biogenic CO₂ in water into stable bicarbonate and carbonate. The system targets high-CO₂ waters and uses a continuous flow alkaline reactor where direct measurements of the removal are made by their real-time sensing technology. A modular, solar-powered design allows for scalability and autonomy, making it adaptable to various settings. The system also utilizes multiple alkalinity sources, requiring minimal upkeep. This unique solution addresses the challenges of water-based CDR, offering a promising avenue for reducing atmospheric CO2 emissions.

Alkali Earth is a unique project utilizing steel slag, a byproduct of the steel industry, to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. The process involves crushing the slag to increase its surface area and using it in various applications such as on gravel roads. This process converts atmospheric CO₂ into stable carbonate minerals, effectively removing it from the environment. Alkali Earth is currently the only company using steel slag aggregates for carbon removal, providing a low-cost pathway to scale CDR through an industry that already moves gigatons of materials each year.

Mati Carbon is pioneering a unique approach to carbon removal by enhancing rock weathering in paddy rice fields. The project is particularly noteworthy for its focus on smallholder farmers in the global south, and its ongoing research into reducing methane emissions from paddy farms. Mati Carbon is committed to maximizing the carbon dioxide removal value transfer to these farmers showing a potential for very high social and environmental co-benefits. The company also has a strong focus on measurement, reporting and verification, using methods developed in collaboration with the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture.

Flux is the first company to start doing Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) in Africa where the potential co-benefits of the method are the highest. They spread crushed silicate rocks on farmlands in Africa to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and to improve soil quality, improving farmers' yields and climate resilience. Flux is currently conducting a pilot project with smallholder farmers in Kenya and partnering with large-scale commercial farms and existing rock quarries across the continent for rapid scaling. Their gathering of data on how ERW works in African soils will help develop the method and be a catalyst for ERW across the continent.

Aquarry proposes a new approach to carbon removal called pit lake alkalinity enhancement. This involves adding alkaline materials to flooded surface mines, transforming them into carbon removal and storage assets while also improving water quality. The technology is similar to ocean alkalinity enhancement, but with less environmental risk and more measurable results. The technology has the potential to store millions of tonnes permanently at a low cost. This innovative approach is in its early stages, with laboratory work to confirm measurement and verification methods underway and larger-scale demonstrations planned.

Carbon Capture Scotland is a UK-based capture asset specialist focusing on capturing waste biogenic CO₂ from whisky distilleries in Scotland and storing it via geological storage or other permanent means. Their proprietary and bespoke technology reduces the cost and energy footprint of capturing and processing high-purity CO₂ from fermentation sources and allows for highly accurate measuring and reporting along the supply chain.

InPlanet is working in Brazil, being the first ERW startup purely focussed on the tropics, spreading silicate rock powder under optimal soil and climate conditions for fast and effective weathering and capture removal.

SeaO₂ provides cost-efficient atmospheric carbon removal by leveraging the ocean, which has 150 times more carbon (as dissolved) compared to the atmosphere. SeaO₂’s electrochemical oceanic carbon capture technology is an early stage technology that demonstrates a lot of potential for cost efficient carbon removal.

Takachar produces biochar with a new mobile, MIT-developed technology that can latch on tractors and pick-up trucks. The advanced kiln is brought to farmers' fields where the waste biomass they have available is turned into biochar, mixed together with nutrients to be applied on the farmers own fields.

Parallel Carbon is developing among the world's most affordable processes for DAC while also producing clean hydrogen for industrial decarbonization. They passively capture CO₂ from air with a mineral sorbent. To extract the CO₂ for permanent storage, they regenerate their mineral sorbent with an ambient temperature water treatment process facilitated by electrochemistry.

Canadian TerraFixing captures CO2 from the air via a novel DAC process that employs adsorption technology. It is designed to operate in cold, remote locations where extracting CO2 from the air is easier and cheaper and where the scalability of renewable wind power is immense.

Mission Zero have developed a breakthrough technology that combines CO₂ capture and mineralization in one process. The 'Medusa' Process is a direct air mineralisation process that captures atmospheric CO₂ and turns it into rock in a matter of days. It has a potential to become among the cheapest DAC solutions.

Kenya-based Octavia Carbon – the Global South’s first Direct Air Capture company – designs, builds and deploys DAC technology. Their DAC approach uniquely leverages Kenya’s geothermal energy, geology, talent and lower cost of production to radically accelerate DAC down the cost curve.

InterEarth grows a multi-species selection of highly adapted coppicing woody plants in Australia. Following periodic trimming, the harvested biomass is buried and encapsulated in dedicated chambers for long-term storage to permanently store the carbon captured within the biomass.

Silicate is exploring how returned concrete and other waste mineral products can be used to capture CO₂ cheaply and quickly. It is spread on fields, replacing the need for liming while capturing CO₂ at the same time. This method could potentially capture hundreds of millions of tons of CO₂.

This is a novel research project in Nepal on how changing farming practices can produce more biomass on land used for food production. More biomass means more carbon captured in plants that then can be converted to biochar, stabilizing the carbon and storing it for hundreds of years.

HUSK creates biochar from old rice husks, stabilizing the carbon instead of releasing it through decomposition. Organic farmers use this biochar as fertilizer, restoring soil health and increasing yields.

MASH Makes creates biochar from leftover biomass that is added to degraded soils to increase yields. Biochar provides carbon storage and contributes to reduced air pollution, using biomass that would otherwise have been burnt.

Global warming is speeding up. Heirloom is on the mission to develop the most cost-effective direct air capture solution. Their technology allows them to extract CO₂ directly from the air using limestone and store it permanently underground.

CHAI will work on the high impact project of transitioning a portfolio of hospitals in South Africa's Western Cape Province to renewable energy. This could be a high impact measure that is currently not occurring due to the limited capacity of the department of health and because of bureaucratic hurdles to innovative financial and energy contracts. The project has the potential to reduce emissions by hundreds of thousands of tons, and leverages CHAI's extensive experience in health sector procurement and innovative finance.

This initiative introduces Electric Three-Wheelers (E3Ws) in Pakistan, replacing traditional three-wheelers with E3Ws with swappable batteries. The project implements solar- and biogas-powered battery swapping stations in peri-urban agricultural areas. Using the energy efficiency of E3Ws the project demonstrates a scalable model for sustainable mobility in Pakistan.

This project promotes Leaf Color Charts (LCCs) among smallholder rice farmers in India to help farmers optimize nitrogen fertilizer use, thereby reducing their production costs and nitrous oxide emissions for the global community. PxD will collaborate with an implementation partner to distribute 10,000 LCCs with accompanying digital advisory services during this project. This project addresses the critical need for timely and customized fertilizer application to reduce GHG emissions, with the potential for continued scaling through government and other partners and significant long-term emissions reduction.

CMW proposes a novel approach to monitor the EU's carbon removal targets, preventing the risk of discouraging mitigation efforts due to the absence of distinct reduction and removal targets. This approach aims to achieve near-zero emissions for the benefit of both the climate and society.

Industrious Labs is a new organization dedicated to decarbonizing heavy industry, with a specific focus on the aluminum, cement, steel and waste sectors. Shifting from carbon-intensive Portland cement to existing, low-carbon technologies can significantly reduce emissions in this sector. Their aluminum campaign aims to decarbonize the U.S. primary aluminum industry, leading to a substantial reduction in its CO₂ footprint.

BZE is an independent think-tank working on net-zero pathways for Australia, highlighting pathways that show how the green transition benefits the economy. They have been successful in past work, including implementing strategies to reduce emissions and getting investments in renewable energy.

New Energy Nexus is a global nonprofit providing funds, accelerators, and networks to drive clean energy innovation and adoption. This project will specifically focus on establishing a policy and regulatory framework that supports the growth of clean energy technology startups in Indonesia.

HRW exposes fossil fuel harms, including to health. In 2023 they will follow up on work in Bosnia and South Africa and launch new research in a fossil fuel-producing country like Russia. They will also continue global advocacy aimed at ending international public financing for coal and other fossil fuels.

Africa is the continent with the greatest need for more energy. Clean Air Task Force has created an African energy and climate innovation program to lay the foundation for a clean-energy future.

This project develops a mobile app for regreening techniques like Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). The app delivers real-time, location-specific advice directly to farmers' phones. This approach reduces intervention costs by eliminating the need for in-person visits to every location. We already support Justdiggit’s regular work since 2021, and now added this project because it builds on proven FMNR methods, increasing cost-efficiency and potential for rapid scaling in dry landscapes.

he "Plant the Forests of Tomorrow" project in Ecuador aims to reforest 400 hectares with 200,000 native trees over 8 years in the Buenaventura Reserve. Jocotoco works on both establishing nature reserves and reforesting degraded landscapes in some of the world's most threatened biodiversity hotspots. Jocotoco has a strong track record of establishing reserves and preventing species extinction, as well as addressing the root causes of deforestation.

This project focuses on large-scale seagrass ecosystem restoration in Western Australia using robotic technology. Ulysses is working in collaboration with the University of Western Australia. The group aims to restore thousands of hectares of seagrass meadows, which can store large amounts of carbon annually. The project develops innovative robotic technology for seed collection, planting, and monitoring. Ulysses, in partnership with UWA, provides a novel, scalable method with significant co-benefits for carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and coastal ecosystems.

CTF funds Landesa’s project that aims to protect and restore mangrove forests in the Bay of Bengal, and engages in policy dialogues on promoting legal rights of small-holder forest owners across Southeast Asia. This project focuses on securing forest tenure, sustainable land management, reforestation, and afforestation.

Planète Urgence project is tailored to combat the ecological harm caused by shrimp farming and deforestation in the fragile ecosystems of Borneo's Mahakam Delta and Adang Bay. This multifaceted initiative includes essential components such as environmental education, the establishment of community mangrove nurseries, and the provision of training in sustainable aquaculture practices.

The Ceibo Alliance, an Indigenous-led organization operating in the Upper Amazon (Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru), builds power with Indigenous communities to combat deforestation and preserve vital carbon sinks across their territories. They map and monitor forests, assisting community land patrols in detecting and deterring rainforest-harming activities.

Plant with Purpose works in rural communities to share knowledge on nature restoration and regenerative agricultural practices. This leads to improved yields, increased food sovereignty, and improved water quality and access.

Rainforests are being cut down to make room for palm oil plantations. Warsi helps local communities get forestry licenses for their land, so they have the legal rights to it and protect it, and be part of solving the climate crisis.

Farmers in warm countries can benefit by having trees on their land. They contribute to more water remaining in the ground and create shade for other plants. Justdiggit is training farmers to use natural methods to grow small trees into mature ones.