Kernel undergoes audit of its carbon program under Verra standards
Kernel has launched an international audit of its environmental initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions under the Verra standard. Partners in the process include Sentinel Earth, while the data collected within the project is also used to support initiatives by the EBRD, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and NASA Harvest.
The pilot project is being implemented across 15,000 hectares in Chernihiv region. It involves the application of technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the soil’s capacity to sequester carbon, including variable-rate fertiliser application, the use of biological products, and cover crops.
The project results are currently undergoing professional verification, enabling their potential conversion into carbon credits. One credit corresponds to one ton of greenhouse gas emissions. Although the market is still emerging, the price already stands at around $15–30 per credit, according to the company.
Validation is being carried out under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) by Verra and is expected to take about a year. After that, the company plans to scale up the initiative.
“Our soil carbon sequestration project aims to create additional economic value for agricultural producers through the opportunity to sell carbon credits. Equally important is the issue of financial support for restoring soil productivity in Ukraine, particularly in areas affected by the war,” said Marta Trofimova, Head of Sustainability at Kernel.
If the verification is successful, Kernel will be able to issue its own carbon credits. Potential buyers include major international corporations seeking to reduce their emissions, such as Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta, the company added.
