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The Good Rice Alliance Earns 'Ae' Rating from BeZero Carbon

On August 13, 2025, The Good Rice Alliance (TGRA) announced a significant milestone in its commitment to environmentally sustainable agriculture by receiving an 'Ae' rating from BeZero Carbon. This prestigious rating places TGRA in the top quartile of carbon projects, reflecting both its scientific rigor and operational excellence. The alliance is pivotal in promoting sustainable rice cultivation in India and is committed to lowering greenhouse gas emissions through innovative agricultural practices.

Partnership for a Sustainable Future

TGRA collaborates with smallholder farmers across India, aiming to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while generating high-integrity carbon credits. This initiative is backed by Bayer, a leading global player in life sciences, Shell Energy India, and GenZero, showing a concerted effort towards a more sustainable future. Suhas Joshi, head of Bayer's Carbon Initiative in India, expressed pride in this achievement, stating, “The 'Ae' rating not only validates TGRA's scientific and operational framework but also epitomizes the collective commitment of our partnership.”

With this rating, TGRA aims to set a benchmark for quality in the nature-based carbon market, employing Total Quality Management principles in agriculture to achieve its goals. The framework it has established allows farmers to adopt practices that reduce emissions, conserve water, and create new revenue streams, while also reinforcing a resilient agricultural ecosystem.

Understanding the Carbon Rating

BeZero Carbon provides independent carbon ratings based on rigorous analysis, which considers several critical factors such as additionality, carbon accounting, redundancy, project performance, and safeguards. The 'Ae' rating signifies high reliability in both projected GHG reductions and the successful execution of the carbon project. This enhances the credibility of the carbon credits generated by TGRA, making them more attractive to buyers in a market that increasingly demands transparency and integrity.

Significant Impact on Indian Agriculture

Since its inception, TGRA has integrated small farmers from 13 states in India, implementing water-saving practices such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), collectively covering approximately 35,000 hectares. This initiative has led to a reduction in methane emissions equivalent to nearly 120,000 tons of carbon annually. Being on the forefront of these practices, TGRA facilitates farmers' adaptation to climate change by preserving vital water resources.

Notably, these sustainable methods save over 125 billion liters of water each season, showcasing the potential of TGRA’s innovative approach. Given that rice cultivation is responsible for around 10% of global methane emissions, measures like AWD and DSR are essential.

The Future of Sustainable Rice Cultivation

The Good Rice Alliance’s efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, aiming to address pressing environmental challenges while directly benefiting smallholder farming communities. The initiative is critical not only in reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also in supporting the livelihoods of farmers, essentially blending ecological health with economic viability.

Through robust measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems, TGRA maintains its commitment to sustainability while adapting its strategies to mitigate climate change's impacts effectively. As it continues to scale its efforts across India’s major rice-producing states, the alliance embodies a forward-thinking approach to agriculture, making strides towards a sustainable and equitable future.

In conclusion, the recognition of TGRA by BeZero Carbon reaffirms the efficacy of sustainable agricultural practices and their potential in combating climate change. This achievement not only serves as a model for similar initiatives around the world but also inspires continued investment in climate-friendly practices among India's vast farming community.