EarthCode (2024)
A decentralized system that democratizes the carbon offset market by allowing private forest owners to contribute to climate action
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1st Prize - Dezeen x Bentley Start Something Powerful Award
Finalist - WIRED CREATIVE HACK AWARD 2024
InnovationRCA's LaunchPad Programme 2024
EarthCode democratizes the carbon offset market using a decentralized, low-power LiDAR scanner to create tamper-proof codes for each tree. The transparent system enhances carbon credit credibility, enabling private forest owner to contribute to climate action.
EarthCode uses a handheld 2D LiDAR scanner to capture detailed images of tree bark, creating unique Bark-Codes. The system emits laser pulses to map the bark surface, producing a detailed texture map. This data identifies tree characteristics like health, species, age, and more. The Bark-Code represents these attributes with color-coded bars and is used on an online platform for trading carbon credits, ensuring accuracy and reliability. Instead of scanning the entire tree, EarthCode scans a specific part of the trunk (tree ring).
Forest owners receive incentives based on scan frequency and excellence in forest management. By following the "Improved Forest Management" approach for trees over 25 years old, there is no concern about changes in tree shape, as their growth has stabilized. This ensures the consistency and reliability of the Bark-Codes. Additionally, forest owners can directly connect with end buyers, streamlining the carbon credit trading process.