UP and IIT-Roorkee Launch Carbon Credit Model

• 11 Dec 2025

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government, in collaboration with IIT Roorkee, has launched a carbon credit model to help farmers earn extra income by retaining carbon in their agricultural fields while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Key Points 

• First in India: This is the first large-scale carbon credit model of its kind in India, with the pilot program set to start in the Saharanpur division and gradually expand statewide. 
• Carbon Credits for Farmers: Farmers will earn carbon credits by planting trees that absorb carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality. Each metric tonne of carbon dioxide stored will earn one carbon credit, which is monetized for farmer payments. 
• Revenue Sharing: Once the carbon credits are sold in the market, 50% of the revenue will be directly paid to farmers. The income generated depends on soil quality and the amount of carbon stored. 
• Sustainable Practices: Farmers must adopt sustainable agricultural practices to increase soil carbon content, including using agricultural waste rather than burning it, minimising tillage, and switching to biofertilizers rather than urea, which emits harmful gases. 
• Income and Soil Health: The initiative offers farmers a long-term income stream and aims to restore soil health, reduce farm input costs, and improve water-holding capacity, ultimately enhancing farm productivity and reducing cultivation costs. 
• Scientific Monitoring: IIT Roorkee will scientifically verify the carbon content in soil samples through lab tests and monitor the program using remote sensing. A scientific framework ensures carbon storage is measured, verified, and monetized. 
• Revenue Allocation: Half of the revenue from carbon credit sales will be distributed to farmers, with the other half used for land registration, maintenance, monitoring, and operational processes. 
• Global and Local Impact: The program supports Net Zero commitments, facilitates the sale of high-quality carbon credits to global markets, and benefits rural livelihoods by supporting regenerative agriculture. 
• Long-Term Benefits: Over time, the program is expected to improve soil fertility, water retention, and crop yields, creating new income streams for farmers while contributing to India's climate goals.

Carbon Credits

• Carbon credits, or carbon offsets, refer to carbon emissions reductions or removals, measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e).    
• The concept of carbon credit, introduced in the Kyoto Protocol, 1997 and reinforced by the Paris Agreement, 2015, aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through carbon trading.    
• Each carbon credit permits the emission of one tonne of CO₂ or its equivalent.    
• These credits are generated by projects that absorb or reduce carbon emissions and are certified by international bodies like the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and the Gold Standard.