Why this project?

Dutch farmers are seeking crops that heal soils and help the climate. Miscanthus giganteus (elephant grass) is a perennial, fast-growing grass that does both. After establishment, yields continue for more than two decades on very low inputs: no routine pesticides, no irrigation, no fertilizer; just a single annual harvest. That makes it a practical, low-disturbance option for farmers who want healthier soils and a reliable income from both biomass and carbon credits.

Under the ONCRA framework, Dutch farmers can earn carbon removal certificates for measured increases in soil organic carbon and below-ground biomass, using ISO-based sampling and a transparent registry.

Carbon impact

Miscanthus locks carbon away underground (as soil organic matter) and in its roots and rhizomes. ONCRA measures both parts and deducts on-farm emissions to report a net climate benefit.

How it’s measured

• Soil carbon: Farmers take a baseline soil sample before (or at) planting, then sample again in year 5 and year 10. The carbon gain is converted to CO₂ using the standard 44/12 factor.

• Roots/rhizomes: Below-ground biomass is estimated from harvested dry matter using a conservative root-to-shoot ratio ≈ of approximately 1.22, and then converted to CO₂.

What the numbers mean

• A cautious, program-wide planning figure is ~4.8 tCO₂ per hectare per year (soil + roots minus farm emissions). This is what ONCRA uses for ex-ante issuance so we don’t over-credit.

• Scientific studies show typical averages around ~6.6 tCO₂/ha/yr, with higher outcomes (>10 tCO₂/ha/yr) possible on some sites. Results improve as the crop matures (usually from year 3–4).

Why results vary
Each farm is different. Soil type (sand vs. clay), starting carbon levels, rainfall, management, and yields all affect how much carbon builds up. That’s why ONCRA calculates per field, samples the soil at 5 and 10 years, and keeps results conservative until measurements confirm them. If measurements show more storage, extra units can be released; if less, the 20% buffer protects integrity.

Netting out farm emissions
Cultivation emissions are small for miscanthus (about 0.37 tCO₂/ha/yr with no fertilizer) and are deducted before credits are issued.

In short: miscanthus fields steadily add carbon to the soil and roots, measured on real farms with repeat sampling, conservative accounting, and a buffer—so buyers can trust that each unit reflects actual climate benefit.

Co-benefits

• Healthier soils: Permanent cover raises soil organic matter, improving structure, infiltration, and water holding; fields are easier to manage and less prone to erosion.

• Clean water: Deep roots and stable soil reduce sediment and nutrient runoff to ditches and streams.

• Low inputs, steady yields: After establishment, miscanthus delivers consistent biomass with minimal field operations for decades.

• Material substitution: Biomass feeds into paper, bioplastics, and even low-carbon asphalt and construction uses—storing carbon in long-lived products.

Monitoring & verification

This program runs on careful, step-by-step oversight to protect integrity.

It starts before a shovel hits the ground: farms register their fields and take a baseline soil test at or before planting. That locks in the starting point.

From there, annual monitoring tracks crop status, and soils are re-sampled in year 5 and year 10 using ISO methods to confirm the real carbon gains. An independent verifier reviews the data and site evidence; once approved, ONCRA updates the public registry. Only then are tonnes marked Delivered. Any earlier sales remain Purchase Agreements: visible contributions that do not count as delivered credits until verification is complete.

Quality & integrity

• Conservative accounting: Ex-ante issuance uses cautious per-hectare assumptions; actual measurements at years 5 and 10 can release extra certificates or reduce them.

• Buffer pools: A 20% holding pool (15% project, 5% collective) cushions uncertainty and reversals before delivery.

• Transparent registry: Units carry clear statuses (Holding, Issued, Transferred, Delivered); Void/Canceled flags prevent misuse and double counting.

By investing in this project, you support Dutch farmers in regenerative miscanthus, deliver verified local carbon removal, and rebuild soil health and farm resilience.