How do you measure how much carbon dioxide is removed from your process? How are you proving your impact?

Our measurement approach consists of two key things, 1) measure and 2) model which prove that weathering and carbon sequestration has occurred. 

1) Measure - In regions where we operate, we establish plots of land that are intensively monitored after our crushed rock is applied. We take measurements of physical soil and soil water analysis from these sites. These measurements track direct products of the chemical reactions, such as cations, anions, bicarbonates and pH, which show that carbon removal has occurred. 

We know you can’t have carbon sequestration without rock weathering. So, we also measure indicators that our crushed silicate rock has weathered to provide reinforcing evidence that we are locking away CO2. 

The indicators that have shown us that weathering has occurred include changes in the size of the rock, pH levels in the soil, and levels of electrical conductivity. By noting the difference between our baseline samples and the samples collected after our rock has weathered over time, we are able to collect important data that improves the accuracy of our geochemical model. 

2) Model - We have built a world class geochemical model that shows us how quickly our rock weathers and how much CO2 we can expect to be locked away over time. This model uses inputs like rainfall, climate patterns, and mineralogy of rock. It also incorporates real world, peer-reviewed published data. By improving the model with the best available science, including accurate global climate data, and taking regular field measurements, we can model CO2 removal as we expand and scale our operations around the world. 

Through constant innovation, integration of new measurement methods and leading academic research, we are at the forefront of enhanced rock weathering MRV. 

Ultimately, we want our measurement approach to move from ‘measure heavy’ to a ‘measure light and model heavy’ approach. This not only unlocks lower prices for customers in the voluntary carbon market, but enables UNDO to scale while proving that the carbon sequestration claims we are making are accurate.