Objective

The Northern Cape spans 373,000 km², with 97% of the province at risk of degradation (Department of Water Affairs). The most significant invasive alien plant threat is Prosopis.
This project mitigates the spread of invasive species by converting them into biochar, simultaneously fostering rural livelihoods through a sustainable resource value chain. Given South Africa’s ecological diversity, environmental programs must be adaptive and innovative. This initiative aligns with ASH’s philosophy of developing responsible, nature-based solutions tailored to both people and landscapes.
The Arid Karoo region, a key contributor to South Africa’s meat production, provides grazing for Merino and Dormer/Dorper sheep despite its low rainfall. Historically, it was home to trekbokke, a mass migration of over one million antelope. Their movement naturally broke the sun-baked soil, enabling local seeds to germinate—a key driver of holistic farming practices. However, modern infrastructure, such as fences and roads, has disrupted this balance, challenging the region’s future sustainability.

Additionality Overview and What would happen if this Project was not executed?

Carbon finance is the primary enabler of operations, as revenue from biochar sales alone cannot sustain production costs.
Financing Requirement includes Salaries, Equipment (Big Box Kilns, Tractors, Trailers), Logistic Improvement (Road Enhancement), and Packaging.
Without revenue from carbon removal credits, no financial model supports the invasive harvesting, biochar production and sale.

Invasive/Nuisance Biomass Metrics
25 million Hectares of Invasive Plants in South Africa. For comparison, the United Kingdom has 25 million Hectares.
- Approximate Invasive Alien Plants water usage in South Africa is 35,000,000,000,000 Litres (35 trillion) Sources: https://ewseta.org.za/
- Invasive Plants are growing at a rate of between 5 and 10% per annum (Stafford, 2017).
- South Africa spends approximately R1.3 billion yearly on public environmental programs to control invasive alien plants. Still, these resources, though substantial, are limited in terms of what is needed to solve the challenge.

By removing the invasives we are
- Increasing the water supply [UN SDG 6 – Clean Water & Sanitation]
- Restoring natural habitats and regenerating native flora [SDG 15 – Life on Land] and arable land for farming [SDG 2 – Zero Hunger].
- Providing Long-Term employment of 1762 members of the local rural community [SDG 8 – Decent Work & Economic Growth], ensuring women have fair access to the roles [SDG 5 – Gender Equality]
- Ensuring that the Biomass is not burned in a controlled manner within “smokeless” Kon Tiki kilns reduces airborne pollutants (PM2.5 and CO2 emissions) compared to the slash and burn approach that is currently in place [SDG 3 – Good Health & Well-Being]

No Competing Revenue Streams:
- Unlike some biochar projects, this project does not produce significant additional revenue from biochar byproducts (e.g., bio-oil or syngas), reinforcing the need for carbon credit financing.

Regulatory & Market Position
- Legal Mandate for Invasive Species Removal: Under South African law, and specifically the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004, Prosopis species must be removed. However, invasive biomass removal remains financially unviable without an economic incentive (via carbon credits).

Controlled Processing and Carbon Accounting:
- Carbon sequestration credits are exclusive to this project (not claimed in other carbon crediting schemes).
- Carbon credits are issued only for net carbon removed, considering energy inputs and emissions from biomass collection.
- Biochar's carbon removal potential is scientifically quantified using lab-tested permanence studies. It is permanently stored in soil or durable materials to prevent the release of carbon.
- No Untracked Carbon Offsets: Every carbon credit is accounted for independently by verification.
- No Over-Crediting Risks: Verified through third-party certification bodies (CSI).
- No Emission Displacement: Unlike projects that shift emissions elsewhere (e.g., forestry projects that increase logging in other regions), this initiative permanently removes carbon.
- No existing government subsidies or funding mechanisms cover biochar production, making carbon finance the primary support structure.

Leakage Prevention Strategy

The project poses no material leakage risks due to its reliance on invasive biomass, absence of indirect land-use change, and robust verification protocols.

Biomass Source Integrity
- 100% of feedstock is classified as invasive (Prosopis).
- No Risk of Deforestation: Unlike forestry-based carbon removal projects, this initiative does not remove native trees—only invasive biomass is removed.

Controlled Processing and Land Rehabilitation
- Biochar Application Improves Soil & Water Retention and restores water availability for native vegetation.
- Supports rewilding efforts and sustainable grazing (aligned with SDG 15 - Life on Land).
- Cleared land post-biomass removal increases grazing capacity for Merino and Dormer sheep.
- Reduces desertification risk by allowing natural grasses to return.

No Indirect Land Use Change (iLUC) Risks
- Existing Farmland is Maintained: The project does not convert agricultural land for biochar production.

No Competition with Food Production:
- Invasive plant removal restores soil fertility and increases productive land for local farmers (Alignment with SDG 2 – Zero Hunger by increasing productive farmland).

Monitoring & Verification
- Kon Tiki Kilns are equipped with real-time temperature sensors to verify the stability of carbon sequestration. They operate at high temperatures (~600°C-800°C), ensuring complete carbonisation).
- Annual third-party certification via the European Biochar Certificate (EBC) and World Carbon Standard ensures transparent, verifiable emissions reductions.
- Satellite and drone monitoring to track land restoration progress.

Methodology and Accreditation

• European Biochar Certificate (EBC)
• Global Artisan C-Sink – Carbon Standard International (CSI)
• World Carbon Standard
• ICROA

Eligibility under methodology

• Production of Biochar according to Global Artisan C-Sink conditions
• Farmers and Artisan Biochar Producers are not certified under any other methodology for nature-based climate service (i.e. Biomass production and soil organic carbon)
• Social Impact: Involved parties must be compensated fairly and transparently.
• Project location: Must be in a low- or middle-income country according to the World Bank classification.
• Biochar production does not exceed 100m3/year for a single C-Sink Farmer or 1500m3/year for a single Artisan Pro and is done with a low-tech production unit.
• The C-sinks issued in this project are not claimed in any other Carbon Crediting Scheme.
  Additionality: Without carbon finance, it would not be possible to purchase the Kon Tiki kilns, deploy the equipment, establish the sites and provide a safe, insured environment with training for Biochar production.

Employment

South Africa faces a 45.5% youth unemployment rate (ages 18-34), with even higher rates in rural areas. Our initiative provides essential job opportunities for low- and semi-skilled workers in these underserved regions of Southern Africa. We focus on creating community-driven agricultural projects in rural and municipal areas, integrating social development efforts, including educational support and small-scale farming initiatives. Local communities also feel the impact of a slowing mining sector, which continues to reduce job opportunities over time.

Biomass Type

The most prominent invasive Prosopis species in South Africa are P. glandulosa var. torreyana (honey mesquite), P. velutina (velvet mesquite), and their hybrids. These are classified as invasive under the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations (AIS) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004).

Prosopis refer to a group of deciduous, leguminous thorn tree species and hybrids, belonging to the genus Prosopis, native to South and North America. Prosopis was actively planted in South Africa over vast areas in the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Free State and North-West Provinces from the late 1800s until as recently as the 1960s. It was introduced as a beneficial fodder, fuel, and shade tree in the arid regions lacking indigenous trees. However, the appearance of dense stands of this major water user, in these particularly water-scarce areas, turned mesquite into a highly undesirable invasive alien weed.

In the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Free State, and North-West Provinces, Prosopis is a Category 1b species, requiring control, removal, and destruction where possible. In the Northern Cape, it holds Category 3 status, meaning it may remain except in riparian areas, where it is Category 1b. Trade, propagation, or planting is prohibited in all listed provinces.

Prosopis reduces native tree growth, increases mortality rates, and diminishes biodiversity along riverbeds. It also suppresses native grasses and shrubs, negatively impacting grazing potential and ecosystem services. Managing Prosopis requires intensive, costly control efforts, but our approach offers a permanent solution.

Biomass Legal Status

These species and hybrids have been listed as invasive in the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations (AIS), National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No 10 of 2004).

Job Creation and Training

One Big Box kiln removes provides 13 direct long-term jobs and 101 additional jobs (multiplier of 7.81 in agriculture) [World Food Program]
Anticipated Big Box Kilns in the project = 2
Total direct Jobs = 26
Total indirect jobs (Logistics, etc) = 202

Later Phases are expected to create 100+ additional jobs.

Workers, particularly women, are currently employed in the African agricultural market only with very basic skills (e.g., picking and packaging). Our focus is different; we want to ensure that long-term employment is possible and that additional skills are acquired.

Rural farm workers and lower-skilled unemployed people that qualify under the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) are provided with an opportunity to work in the project. Training of the workers take several guises and include the management and effective control of wood harvesting equipment, HSE and First-Aid training, stock control and basic application of herbicide, monitoring and management of the processing sites, logistics and related support. Initial training is 6 weeks and as the program is extended, we are looking at possible additional training for workers in agricultural and biomass processing.

Rehabilitation of the Local Water Table

The clearing of alien invasive plants such as Prosopis to salvage the water they use is a common management practice employed in countries like Australia, China, South Africa and the USA, among others (Doody et al., 2011; Richardson and van Wilgen, 2004).

The overriding objective of the clearing programmes is to reduce excess water use by the invasive species (Dye et al., 1996) so that the water demands of people and the environment can be met through increased stream flows and groundwater yields.

Removing one hectare of invasive plants restores enough water to meet the annual needs of 1,400 people.

United National Sustainable Development Goals Impact

Project Phase 1 - Biomass Removal

• SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being
• SDG 5 - Gender Equality
• SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities

Rural workers are employed in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. This covers segments such as the right of workers to fair practice and non-exploitation. This is in line with the UN SDG 3 target. As we provide work to female workers (in a male-dominated environment), we create conditions to ensure that female workers are part of the process. From trials, women workers are better kiln operators due to a more detailed focus on work. The project sites provide sanatory support, including water recycling. Sanitation is provided on project sites, and we support programs in rural settings to ensure workers and community members have access to water and sanitation. Our labour practice, payment of salaries and provision of training are set towards increasing the livelihood and opportunities for rural agricultural workers.

Project Phase 2 - Post Biomass Removal

• SDG 4 - Quality Education
• SDG 5 - Gender Equality
• SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 15 - Life on Land

The project aims to move away from charcoal production, which is used as a primary energy resource, to biochar, which is returned to the soil. We are teaching a new generation of agricultural workers the value of moving into a natural resource use approach that ensures that farm workers are part of the production cycle. As workers start filtering their income into the rural economy and ASH contribute to the education trust, we indirectly contribute to 5-6-15.

Project Total

• SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being
• SDG 4 - Quality Education
• SDG 5 - Gender Equality
• SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 14 - Life Below Water
• SDG 15 - Life on Land

ASH Group (Business and Foundation)

• SDG 1 - No Poverty
• SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
• SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being
• SDG 4 - Quality Education
• SDG 5 - Gender Equality
• SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13 - Climate Action
• SDG 15 - Life on Land
• SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

We fully embrace the broader framework of the UN SDG goals, recognising how they define the socioeconomic value of our carbon credits. While the UN SDG goals were designed with governments in mind to guide the development of local policies, we, as active participants in the green economy, endorse these goals and incorporate them into every aspect of our project planning and implementation.

Detailed SDG substantiation for each target is available on request.

Carbon Offset

Carbon Standard International