Carbfix has made a big move in Europe’s battle against climate change. It received the first permit for onshore carbon dioxide (CO2) storage under EU law. This project, based in Iceland, makes history by allowing the underground storage of CO2 in line with the EU’s strict climate policies. It is the first time the EU has formally approved an onshore geological storage project under its 2009 CCS Directive.
Carbfix’s storage method uses Iceland’s natural basalt rock to turn captured CO2 into solid minerals. This innovative approach supports the EU’s Green Deal, which aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.
The mineral storage operator shows that carbon capture and storage (CCS) can work well on land. This sets a strong example for other European countries.
Understanding the Science Behind Carbfix’s CCS Tech
The Carbfix process is both simple and groundbreaking. First, carbon dioxide is captured from industrial sources or directly from the air. Then it is dissolved in water and injected into underground rock formations.
Source: Carbfix
In Iceland, natural basalt rock reacts with CO2 solution. This forms solid carbonate minerals that trap carbon permanently. Carbfix’s method is different from other carbon storage methods. Instead of keeping gas trapped under rock layers, it turns gas into stone. This process removes the risk of leakage in the long run.
Key features of the project include:
Location: The site is in Iceland, where volcanic basalt is plentiful and ideal for mineralizing CO2.
Technology: The CO2 reacts with minerals in the rock to form stable solids in under two years.
Safety: The National Energy Authority of Iceland (Orkustofnun) checked the project to ensure it follows EU safety rules for geological storage.
Carbfix’s innovative technology has already been used in smaller pilot projects in Iceland, including at the Hellisheiði geothermal power plant. Getting a permit under the EU’s tough rules is a major step for wider use in Europe.
Highlighting the growing importance of CCS technology in Europe’s climate strategy, Carbfix CEO, Edda Sif Pind Aradóttir stated:
“With this first onshore storage permit in Europe, Iceland also retains a certain leadership role in building a new industry that is essential to both the EU’s and IPCC’s climate goals.”
Why the EU Supports Carbon Capture and Storage
The European Union is focused on cutting greenhouse gases to fight global warming. Technologies like CCS play a key role in achieving this.
The European Commission’s Industrial Carbon Management Strategy says that by 2050, the EU will store around 250 million tonnes of CO2 each year. This will be in underground storage.
Total carbon capture could reach around 450 million tonnes yearly, which includes some CO2 that is used instead of stored. This could account for 7-8% of the region’s emissions.
Source: European Union
The EU’s climate plan encourages both public and private investment in carbon storage projects. Experts estimate that suitable sites in Europe could store up to 300 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030.
The European Climate Law requires net-zero emissions by 2050. This law pressures all sectors, including heavy industry, to cut or offset their emissions.
While the company is pioneering onshore CCS, most EU CCS capacity and projects focus on offshore storage, especially in the North Sea region.
By 2030, Europe might reach a storage capacity of 140 million tonnes per year. However, only about 66 million tonnes per year is expected in EU member states. Most of the onshore projects are small, mainly in Denmark and the Netherlands.
Source: Clean Air Task Force
Iceland’s Carbfix project is unique as an onshore basalt mineralization site. The Carbfix permit allows storage of up to about 106,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, totaling around 3.2 million tonnes over 30 years.
It proves that onshore CO2 storage is possible within the EU’s legal framework. It opens the door for similar projects in other member countries. By proving that this kind of storage is safe and effective, Carbfix is leading the way for other innovators to follow. It also opens opportunities for generating carbon credits.
The Growing Role of Carbon Markets
With more companies and governments trying to lower emissions, the demand for carbon credits is growing. These credits allow companies to pay for carbon reductions elsewhere if they cannot cut emissions directly.
Projects like Carbfix generate carbon credits by permanently removing CO2 from the atmosphere. This makes them especially attractive to buyers seeking high-quality, verifiable carbon offsets.
Recent projections indicate the average EU carbon price could reach about €92/t CO2e in 2025. It could rise to €130/t by 2026 and €195/t by 2030.
Analysts expect the global carbon market to more than double in size by 2030, possibly reaching $100 billion. More storage projects like Carbfix are starting up that can increase the supply of high-quality carbon credits. As a result, the market will stabilize and new investment opportunities will arise.
Carbon credit markets help create a circular carbon economy. In this system, captured emissions are reused or stored permanently, preventing them from entering the atmosphere. As countries strengthen their climate commitments, demand for such credits will likely increase.
A Model for Future Projects
Carbfix could serve as a model for future carbon storage projects across Europe and beyond. Other European countries are already exploring similar opportunities. Reports say that up to 10 new onshore storage projects might start in the next five years. This is especially true in areas with volcanic or sedimentary rock formations.
To support this growth, the EU is working on clearer rules and funding support for carbon capture projects. This includes easier permitting, better carbon pricing, and more public-private partnerships. The Innovation Fund and Horizon Europe are two major EU programs supporting climate technology, including CCS.
Experts agree that CCS must grow quickly to meet climate targets. Renewable energy and energy efficiency are vital. However, technologies like Carbfix can cut emissions in tough industries, which include cement, steel, and chemicals.
The Carbfix carbon storage permit marks the beginning of a new phase in Europe’s climate journey. As the EU looks to scale up CCS efforts, the success of onshore projects will be crucial. With the right policies and technologies in place, the region could become a global leader in carbon storage innovation.
China is backing a Beijing-based startup called Orbital Chenguang with about 57.7 billion yuan ($8.4 billion) in credit lines to build space-based data centers, according to media reports. The funding comes from major state-linked banks and signals one of the largest known investments in orbital computing infrastructure.
The move highlights a growing global race to build computing systems in space. It also puts China in direct competition with companies like SpaceX, which is exploring space-based data infrastructure, too.
Orbital Chenguang Builds State-Backed Space Computing System
Orbital Chenguang is a startup in Beijing supported by the Beijing Astro-future Institute of Space Technology. This institute works with the city’s science and technology authorities.
The company has received credit line support from major Chinese financial institutions, including:
Bank of China,
Agricultural Bank of China,
Bank of Communications,
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, and
CITIC Bank.
These are credit lines, not fully deployed cash. But the scale shows strong institutional backing.
The project is part of a wider national strategy focused on commercial space, AI infrastructure, and advanced computing systems.
China’s state space contractor, CASC (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation), has shared plans under its 15th Five-Year Plan. These include ideas for large-scale space computing systems, aiming for gigawatt power.
Space Data Center Plan Targets 2035 Gigawatt Capacity
According to Chinese media reports, Orbital Chenguang plans to build a constellation in a dawn-dusk sun-synchronous orbit at 700–800 km altitude. The long-term target is a gigawatt-scale space data center by 2035.
The development plan is divided into phases:
2025–2027: Launch early computing satellites and solve technical barriers.
2028–2030: Link space-based systems with Earth-based data centers.
2030–2035: Scale toward large orbital computing infrastructure.
The design relies on continuous solar energy and natural cooling in space. These features could reduce reliance on land-based power grids and cooling systems.
China has proposed two satellite constellations to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). These plans include a total of 96,714 satellites. This shows China’s long-term goals for space infrastructure and spectrum control.
The AI Energy Crunch Pushing Computing Into Orbit
The push into orbital data centers is closely linked to rising AI demand. Global data centers consumed about 415–460 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2024, equal to roughly 1.5%–2% of global power use. This figure is rising quickly due to AI workloads.
Some industry projections show demand could exceed 1,000 TWh by 2026, nearly equal to Japan’s total electricity consumption.
AI systems require massive computing power, which increases energy use and cooling needs. In many regions, electricity supply—not hardware—is now the main constraint on AI expansion.
China’s strategy aims to address this by moving part of the computing load into space, where solar energy is more stable and continuous.
Data centers already create a large carbon footprint. In 2024, they emitted about 182 million tonnes of CO₂, based on global electricity use of roughly 460 TWh and an average carbon intensity of 396 grams of CO₂ per kWh. This is according to the International Energy Agency report, as shown in the chart below.
Source: IEA
Future projections show even faster growth. The sector could generate up to 2.5 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions by 2030, driven by AI expansion. This is where orbital systems come in. They aim to reduce emissions during operation by using:
However, space systems also introduce new emissions. Rocket launches used about 63,000 tonnes of propellant in 2022, producing CO₂ and atmospheric pollutants. Lifecycle studies suggest that over 70% of emissions from space systems typically come from manufacturing and launch activities.
In addition, hardware in orbit often has a lifespan of only 5–6 years, which increases replacement cycles and launch frequency. This creates a key trade-off:
Lower operational emissions in space, and
Higher lifecycle emissions from launches and manufacturing.
Research suggests that, in some scenarios, orbital computing could produce up to 10 times higher total carbon emissions than terrestrial systems when full lifecycle impacts are included.
China’s Expanding Space-Tech Ecosystem
Orbital Chenguang is not operating alone. Several Chinese companies are working on similar in-orbit computing systems, including ADA Space, Zhejiang Lab, Shanghai Bailing Aerospace, and Zhongke Tiansuan.
These firms are developing satellite-based computing and AI processing systems. This shows that orbital computing is not a single project. It is part of a broader national push across government, industry, and research institutions.
China’s space strategy combines commercial space growth with national technology planning. It aims to build integrated systems that connect satellites, cloud computing, and terrestrial networks.
The Space-AI Arms Race: China vs SpaceX vs Google
China is not alone in exploring space-based computing. Companies in the United States are also developing orbital data infrastructure concepts. These include early-stage research and private sector projects by firms such as SpaceX and Google.
SpaceX is building one of the largest satellite networks through its Starlink constellation, with thousands of satellites already in orbit. While its main goal is global internet coverage, the network also creates a foundation for future edge computing in space. The company’s reusable rockets, including Starship, are designed to lower launch costs, which is a key barrier to scaling orbital data infrastructure.
Google, through its cloud division, has been investing in space data and satellite analytics. It partners with Earth observation firms to process large volumes of data using cloud-based AI tools. This work could extend to hybrid systems where data is processed closer to where it is generated, including in orbit.
Other players are also entering the field. Amazonis developing Project Kuiper, a satellite internet network that could support future space-based computing layers. Microsoft has launched Azure Space, which connects satellites directly to cloud computing services and supports real-time data processing.
Government agencies are also involved. NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense are funding research into orbital computing, edge processing, and secure data transmission in space. These efforts aim to reduce latency, improve data security, and enable faster decision-making for both civilian and defense applications.
Together, these developments show that space-based computing is moving beyond theory. While still early-stage, both public and private sector efforts are building the foundation for future data centers and processing systems in orbit.
However, these systems face major challenges:
High launch costs,
Heat and thermal control issues,
Limited data transmission bandwidth, and
Hardware durability in space.
Despite these challenges, interest is growing because AI demand is rising faster than Earth-based infrastructure can scale. The competition is now moving toward who can solve energy and computing limits first—on Earth or in space.
Market Outlook: AI, Energy, and Space Infrastructure Converge
The global data center industry is entering a period of rapid expansion. Electricity demand from data centers could double by 2030, driven mainly by AI workloads and cloud computing growth. Power supply is becoming a limiting factor in many regions.
At the same time, the global space economy is expanding into a multi-hundred-billion-dollar industry, supported by satellites, communications, and emerging technologies like orbital computing.
Orbital data centers sit at the intersection of three major trends: rapid AI growth, rising energy constraints, and expansion of space infrastructure.
China’s $8.4 billion credit-backed push through Orbital Chenguang signals confidence in this convergence. However, key barriers remain, such as high cost of launches, engineering complexity, short satellite lifespans (5-6 years), and regulatory uncertainty in orbital systems.
Because of these limits, orbital data centers are unlikely to replace Earth-based systems in the near term. Instead, they may form a hybrid system where some workloads move to space while most remain on Earth.
Space Is Becoming the Next Data Center Frontier
China’s investment in Orbital Chenguang marks one of the most significant moves yet in the emerging field of space-based computing. Backed by major Chinese banks, municipal science institutions, and national space contractors like CASC, the project shows how seriously China is treating orbital infrastructure.
The strategy connects AI growth, energy demand, and climate pressures into a single long-term vision. But the trade-offs are complex. Orbital data centers may reduce operational emissions, but they also introduce high lifecycle carbon costs and major technical challenges.
The global race is now underway. With companies like SpaceX, Google, and Chinese tech firms exploring similar ideas, space is becoming a new frontier for digital infrastructure. The outcome will depend on whether orbital systems can scale efficiently—and whether their carbon benefits can outweigh the emissions cost of building them.
When General Motors (GM) committed $625 million to develop Thacker Pass in Nevada, it did more than fund a lithium project. It established a new model for how automakers secure critical minerals, and in doing so, it reshaped how investors should evaluate the next generation of U.S. lithium assets.
This was not a passive investment. It was a fully structured supply chain partnership, combining equity, long-term offtake, and pricing strategy into a single agreement.
For investors watching Nevada’s clay lithium sector, the implication is clear: the first project has been validated – now the market is looking for what comes next.
A Landmark Deal and a New Partnership Model
GM’s $625 million investment in Lithium Americas remains one of the largest commitments by an automaker into upstream battery materials. The structure of the deal matters as much as its size.
GM secured exclusive access to Phase 1 production, locking in long-term supply from Thacker Pass, which is expected to produce around 40,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium carbonate. That output alone could support hundreds of thousands to up to 1 million EVs annually.
More importantly, the agreement evolved into a joint venture structure, with GM ultimately taking a 38% ownership stake in the project while securing long-term offtake rights. This started as a TopCo equity investment but changed into a JV.
John Evans, LAC CEO, said in an interview on the GM agreement:
“They view this as an investment as much as they do a hedge to ensure that they get low-cost lithium. They want to run this JV as a business.”
A key highlight of the Thacker Pass deal is GM’s offtake agreement, which now serves as a template for a world-class OEM arrangement. GM must purchase at least 20% of its North American lithium demand, with the option to increase to 100%.
The floor price is “meaningfully above” the August 2024 low (~$10,000/t) but below current prices (~$21,000/t), as noted by Evans. GM was given an effective discount at higher price levels, lightly structured when prices at that time were at ~$60,000/t.
GM provides rolling three-year forecasts, with the next year’s volume fixed, allowing Lithium Americas to commit remaining volume to third parties. The agreement covers up to three years of contracted volume at a time.
GM Moves Upstream: From Automaker to Lithium Investor
The GM–Thacker Pass agreement highlights a shift in the lithium market. Automakers are moving upstream, directly into mining, to secure supply, manage costs, and reduce geopolitical risk. This approach is driven by both market forces and policy, with the U.S. pushing for domestic sourcing of critical minerals to support EV supply chains.
Key elements of this emerging model include:
Equity participation in the mining project,
Long-term offtake agreements tied to production, and
Structured pricing mechanisms to manage volatility.
Thacker Pass sits at the center of that strategy. It is widely recognized as the largest known lithium resource in the United States, and with construction underway, it is moving from concept to execution.
Breaking the Clay Lithium Barrier
For years, sedimentary clay lithium has carried a persistent discount in the market. Unlike brine operations in South America or hard-rock mining in Australia, clay deposits had never been proven at a commercial scale. The uncertainty around processing, recovery rates, and operating costs limited investor confidence.
Thacker Pass is now changing that, with construction underway, production targeted later this decade, and processing planned using sulfuric acid leaching at an industrial scale. Once operational, it will mark the first large-scale commercial validation of clay lithium extraction.
In resource markets, once a new extraction method is proven, capital follows. Financing improves, development timelines accelerate, and the entire category begins to reprice. This is exactly what happened in Chile’s brine sector decades ago. Clay lithium in Nevada may now be entering a similar phase.
GM’s investment provides a real-world benchmark for what a bankable lithium project looks like in today’s market. It demonstrates that:
OEMs are willing to invest upstream
Long-term offtake agreements can anchor financing
Domestic lithium supply is now a strategic priority
It also answers a key question that has held back the sector: Will major industrial players commit to clay lithium at scale? The answer is now yes.
The Next Project in the Queue: NNLP
With Thacker Pass moving forward, investor focus naturally shifts to the next project capable of attracting similar strategic interest. That brings attention to Surge Battery Metals’ Nevada North Lithium Project (NNLP), a structurally aligned next-tier candidate.
NNLP is not competing with Thacker Pass as a first mover; it is emerging as a next-generation project within a now-validated category.
NNLP stands out based on core project metrics that directly impact economics. Its average lithium grade of 3,010 ppm is significantly higher than Thacker Pass Phase 1 material, which ranges from 1,500 to 2,500 ppm. Higher grades typically translate into more efficient recovery and lower processing intensity per tonne.
The project also benefits from near-surface mineralization and a low strip ratio of approximately 1.16:1. This may reduce mining complexity and indicate efficient material movement.
From a cost perspective, NNLP’s estimated operating cost of around $5,243 per tonne LCE compares favorably to LAC’s Thacker Pass guidance of roughly $6,200 per tonne.
Beyond geology, NNLP aligns with the same development framework that defines Thacker Pass. The project has secured a strategic partnership with Evolution Mining, funding up to C$10 million toward the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS), while Fluor Corporation, the engineering firm involved in Thacker Pass, is leading the PFS at NNLP.
Leadership expertise also matters: Steffen Ball, a key member of the team, previously led battery raw material sourcing strategies at major automakers. These include Nissan North America and Ford Motor Company, aligning with the type of OEM agreements now seen in GM–Thacker Pass.
Scale, Market Tailwinds, and Second-Wave Opportunities
Scale is critical to attract major OEM partners. NNLP outlines a 42-year mine life with average annual production of approximately 86,300 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent. That output positions it to support long-term anchor offtake agreements, similar in structure to what GM secured at Thacker Pass.
Market fundamentals continue to support these developments:
Global lithium demand is projected to more than double by 2030.
EV production is scaling rapidly across major markets.
Governments are prioritizing domestic supply chains for critical minerals.
Even with recent lithium price volatility, long-term fundamentals remain intact. GM’s investment reflects a forward-looking strategy: secure supply today to avoid constraints tomorrow.
Thacker Pass carries the burden of being first, proving the process, building infrastructure, and validating the economics of clay lithium. This creates opportunities for projects that follow, like NNLP, which benefit from reduced technical uncertainty, clearer financing pathways, and a market that now understands clay lithium.
First Project Validated, Next Project Poised to Follow
GM’s $625 million investment was not just a bet on one project. It was a commitment to a new supply chain model for lithium—one that integrates mining, manufacturing, and long-term demand into a single structure. Thacker Pass is now proving that model, and NNLP is positioned to fit within it.
With higher grades, favorable mining characteristics, strong development partners, and the right scale, NNLP aligns with the criteria that attracted one of the world’s largest automakers to Nevada clay lithium in the first place.
For investors, the takeaway is straightforward: the first project is being built, the template is established, and the next project in the queue is becoming easier to identify.
New Era Publishing Inc. and/or CarbonCredits.com (“We” or “Us”) are not securities dealers or brokers, investment advisers, or financial advisers, and you should not rely on the information herein as investment advice. Surge Battery Metals Inc. (“Company”) made a one-time payment of $75,000 to provide marketing services for a term of three months. None of the owners, members, directors, or employees of New Era Publishing Inc. and/or CarbonCredits.com currently hold, or have any beneficial ownership in, any shares, stocks, or options of the companies mentioned.
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Amazon has signed a long-term carbon credit agreement with Bayer-backed The Good Rice Alliance (TGRA), aiming to cut methane emissions from rice farming across India. The move reflects a growing push toward agriculture-based climate solutions that deliver both environmental and economic value.
Rice cultivation remains a major source of methane emissions globally. The problem comes from traditional farming methods, where paddy fields stay flooded for long periods. These waterlogged conditions create an oxygen-free environment that allows methane-producing bacteria to thrive. As a result, rice farming contributes roughly 8–10% of global methane emissions, making it one of the largest sources after livestock.
India’s Rice Fields: A Major Methane Hotspot
India is at the center of this issue. It has one of the largest rice-growing areas in the world, with around 42–44 million hectares under cultivation. This massive scale makes the country a key contributor to agricultural methane emissions.
Estimates suggest that globally rice fields release anywhere between 20 and 60 teragrams (Tg) of methane each year, depending on how emissions are measured.
Some national-level studies also point to the amount of CH4 emitted from paddy fields of India is 3.396 teragram (1teragram = 109 kilograms) per year or 71.32 MMT CO2 equivalent.
Together, these figures highlight how rice farming accounts for a meaningful share of India’s overall methane footprint and a notable portion of global emissions.
Certain regions, especially the Indo-Gangetic Plain, show even higher emission levels. Warm temperatures, heavy flooding, and high organic matter in soils create ideal conditions for methane generation. This makes India not just a large emitter, but also a high-impact opportunity for methane reduction.
The Good Rice Alliance (TGRA): Turning Farming Practices into Climate Solutions
TGRA’s program focuses on simple but effective changes in how rice is grown. Farmers are encouraged to adopt techniques such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR). These methods reduce continuous flooding, which directly cuts methane production.
The impact can be significant. Studies show that improved water management and better nutrient practices can reduce methane emissions from rice fields by 30–50%. At the same time, these changes reduce irrigation water use by up to 30%.
Advancing sustainable rice farming through precision GHG estimation
Source: TGRA
The benefits go beyond emissions. Farmers often see lower input costs, better yields, and improved resilience to climate stress. TGRA currently works with over 13,000 smallholder farmers across multiple states, covering more than 35,000 hectares. The program provides training, financial incentives, and regular on-ground support to ensure long-term adoption.
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Amazon Leans on High-Quality Credits Amid Rising Emissions
Amazon continues to face challenges in reducing emissions. The company reported 68.25 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions in 2024, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. Growth in data centers for AI and rising fuel use in logistics were the main drivers.
This highlights the complexity of balancing rapid business growth with climate commitments. Still, Amazon remains focused on its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2040 under the Climate Pledge.
Carbon credits play a supporting role in this journey. The company emphasizes high-quality, science-based credits that meet strict standards for transparency and impact.
Driving Verified Methane Reductions
Most significantly, the retail giant plays a central role in scaling this initiative. The company has committed to purchasing more than 685,000 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent carbon credits during the project’s initial phase. This makes it the primary buyer and a major supporter of methane reduction in Indian agriculture.
These credits represent verified emission reductions. They are measured directly in the field, supported by satellite data, and validated under global carbon standards. This focus on quality is critical as companies face increasing scrutiny over carbon offset claims.
Thus, for Amazon, the deal boosts its broader climate strategy. The company follows a “reduce first, then neutralize” approach. It prioritizes cutting emissions through renewable energy, electrification, and logistics improvements. However, some emissions remain difficult to eliminate, especially across its vast supply chain.
Carbon credits help bridge that gap. Methane-focused credits are particularly valuable because they deliver faster climate benefits in the near term compared to carbon dioxide reductions.
Science, Data, and Trust in Carbon Markets
A key strength of TGRA’s program lies in its strong measurement system. Emissions are tracked using direct, field-based methane measurements in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute. This data is backed by satellite monitoring and digital tools.
Each carbon credit is supported by multiple layers of verification. Field data is cross-checked with remote sensing records, ensuring accuracy and transparency. This approach addresses concerns around over-crediting and builds confidence in the voluntary carbon market.
It has also received an ex-ante A rating from BeZero Carbon, reflecting strong confidence in its design and integrity.
Why Methane Cuts Matter Right Now
Methane is often called a “super pollutant” because it traps over 27 times more heat than carbon dioxide over 100 years. More importantly, it has a shorter atmospheric life, which means cutting methane can slow warming more quickly in the near term.
Given India’s large rice footprint and high emission intensity, even small changes per hectare can lead to massive reductions at scale. This makes projects like TGRA’s highly strategic for companies like Amazon looking to close their short-term emissions gap.
Beyond emissions reduction, the program delivers strong social and economic benefits. Farmers receive hands-on support, including field visits, training, and financial incentives. Lower water use reduces costs, while improved practices can increase productivity.
This combination of climate and livelihood benefits is key to long-term success. It ensures that farmers remain at the center of the transition to sustainable agriculture.
Amazon also extends the impact through its Sustainability Exchange and Carbon Credit Service. These platforms allow suppliers and partners to access similar agricultural carbon projects, spreading climate action across their broader ecosystem.
Source: IEA
Overall, the partnership between Amazon and TGRA shows how global companies can support large-scale climate solutions at the grassroots level. By creating demand for high-integrity carbon credits, they help finance sustainable farming practices.
