Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

Nina Energy's Cotopaxi Project, in partnership with Aglomerados Cotopaxi and Atmosfair, is pioneering carbon removal in Ecuador through biochar production from agroforestry waste. As the first biochar project in the country, it demonstrates high additionality, introducing innovative carbon sequestration methods to the region. The initiative employs decentralized, on-site pyrolysis reactors built with a frugal approach, showcasing Nina Energy's commitment to sustainable and scalable solutions.
The project not only sequesters carbon but also generates thermal energy for process efficiency, creating a closed-loop system that maximizes resource utilization. By working closely with the local community, Nina Energy is fostering technology transfer and skills development, ensuring long-term impact beyond carbon removal. The biochar produced is actively used to recover and improve soil quality in the region, providing tangible benefits to local agriculture while contributing to climate change mitigation efforts

How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

['Removes/stores GHGs (e.g., projects that capture, sequester, or otherwise enhance the "sinks" that accumulate and store GHGs)']

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

Local Community Engagement: We actively involve rural communities, often underrepresented in climate discussions, in our biochar production and application processes. This includes training programs and job opportunities in biochar technology and sustainable agriculture.
Women in STEM: Our annual summer school programs specifically target women and children, providing hands-on workshops in biochar production, soil science, and engineering. This initiative aims to increase female representation in climate technology fields.
Indigenous Knowledge Integration: We collaborate with local indigenous communities to incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into our biochar application methods, recognizing and valuing their contributions to sustainable land management.
Youth Education: Through partnerships with local universities, we offer internship programs and joint research projects, engaging young people in climate solutions and building local capacity in biochar technology.
Climate Vulnerable Communities: Our project directly benefits small-scale farmers in Ecuador, a group particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, by improving soil quality and agricultural productivity.

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Mission Statement:

Our mission is to democratize carbon removal and renewable energy generation through innovative, decentralized pyrolysis technology. By developing locally-adaptable technologies, we strive to accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon agricultural ecosystem, empowering communities to actively participate in climate change mitigation while fostering economic growth in rural areas

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