Lao officials and company representatives sign and witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on carbon credit.

Laos, CCL, CRT pioneer satellite technology for carbon credits across 170,559 hectares

Laos leads the way in using satellite technology for 170,559 hectares carbon credits project with CCL and CRT.
Laos is making waves in the fight against climate change with a new and exciting partnership involving Carbon Credit Lao (CCL) and Carbon Registry Thailand (CRT).

Together, they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Lao government, marking the first time that advanced AI satellite technology will be used in Southeast Asia to prevent fraudulent carbon credit data.
This is a significant step under the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries (REDD+) initiative, which focuses on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
The MOU was signed on July 26 and was chaired by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr Thongphath Vongmany, who represented the ministry and also attended by the Deputy Director of the Department of Forestry Mr Khamsene Ounkham.

The signing ceremony was attended by key figures from the Agriculture and Forestry Department and company representatives, marking a major milestone for environmental cooperation in the region.
Mr Thongphath expressed great enthusiasm, saying “Laos is proud to lead the region in using remote sensing technology for carbon credit initiatives. We are setting a great example, following China in adopting satellite applications for carbon credit calculations.”
He added that this technology is crucial for reducing fraud, cutting costs, and speeding up processes, reinforcing the commitment to a greener future.
He also reassured everyone that this 170,559-hectare project was just the beginning.
With nearly 16 million hectares of forests, Laos has immense potential for future initiatives. CCL, a local company committed to protecting forests and habitats, is partnering with CRT to develop top-notch carbon credit projects using the CR-Mod001 method. This approach utilises high-resolution satellites like Sentinel and Landsat, along with LiDAR technology, to ensure accuracy and prevent scams.

CCL Chairman Mr Phouseuth Keophouvong said “We are dedicated to using the most advanced technology for carbon credit calculation. This will greatly benefit communities in Laos.”

Government officials and company representatives attend the MOU signing ceremony in Vientiane last week

Setting new standards, the pilot project represents a significant leap forward in carbon credit calculation, establishing new benchmarks for accuracy and transparency.
The goal is to improve how carbon content in forests is measured across Laos and the wider ASEAN region. Constant monitoring ensures that carbon credits maintain their value.
CRT Director Mr Chalatchai Sundara-vicharana said “We are finally entering an era of transparency for carbon credits. Soon, the world will see the real value of CRT Premium Carbon Credits, which will stand apart from the usual US$3.50 per credit, reaching beyond US$40 per credit.”
Developed by Carbon Registry Thailand, a subsidiary of Star Century Consultancy Pte. Ltd., Singapore, this state-of-the-art technology strengthens Laos’ position in the global carbon market.
It also sets a powerful precedent for other countries in the region, leading to a new era of transparency and reliability in carbon credit transactions.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update August 5, 2024)