Augur Associates, a consulting agency specializing in cannabis, has just generated the first carbon capture credits based on hempcrete in the EU, an important step for the development of French industrial hemp worldwide.
Representing a step forward towards sustainable practices, these credits are developed using a comparative LCA integrating Riverse's biogenic carbon capture methodology, a French carbon standard specializing in the circular economy.
The impact of the methodology goes beyond the environmental field, contributing to various UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. The impact of the Cannabis sativa L. plant to achieve them has notably been listed by independent researcher Kenzi Riboulet Zemouli (https://cannabis2030.org/) and listed below:
- SDG 6 – Water savings: Hemp-based carbon capture process promotes efficient water use
- SDG 7 – Energy savings: Both in the production process and thanks to improved thermal inertia, Augur's methodology contributes to significant energy savings
- SDG 8 – Sustainable and inclusive economic growth: Augur's commitment to sustainable practices promotes economic growth that is both sustainable and inclusive
- SDG 9 – Innovative and sustainable construction: The methodology contributes to the development of innovative and sustainable construction practices
- SDG 11 – Resilient cities: The use of hempcrete blocks in construction strengthens the resilience of urban areas
- SDG 13 – Fight against climate change: Augur's carbon capture methodology actively contributes to the fight against climate change
- SDG 15 – Protect, restore and promote sustainable terrestrial ecosystems: Use of hemp-based carbon capture supports sustainable terrestrial ecosystems
Augur Associates' innovative approach paves the way for a new era of nature-based carbon credits aligned with the EU carbon removal certification framework. These credits have a 100-year permanence proven and quantified each year, adherence to ICVCM and QU.ALITY standards, and are tangible retroactive credits, accompanied by numerous co-benefits described below.
The driving force behind Augur Associates' achievement is the development of cutting-edge methodology for the BIOSYS Hemp Concrete Block and MULTICHANVRE – Vieille Matériaux, a French company specializing in carbon sequestration within hemp concrete blocks. hemp used for construction and insulation.
VERIFAVIA, a key player in environmental certification and validation, carried out the audit and validation of the Augur process, thus ensuring its compliance. The INIES database and the EIHA – European Industrial Hemp Association – have been instrumental in supporting this project, providing valuable information and research.
The Crédit Carbone Chanvre project was led within Augur Associates by Christophe Nourissier, responsible for sustainable development, Nathaniel Loxley, director of operations, and Benjamin-Alexandre Jeanroy, CEO. The multiple advantages of the methodology used validate its potential to reshape the landscape of carbon credit generation and environmental management.
The author of this article, also co-founder of Augur Associates, was not involved in this project.
