Japanese Startup Green Carbon Targets Methane Emission Reduction in Cambodia's Rice Cultivation

Green Carbon, a Japanese startup, aims to significantly reduce methane emissions from rice cultivation in Cambodia, which constitutes over half of the nation's agricultural emissions. The company plans to expand its operations to 500,000 hectares across eight to ten provinces, targeting a reduction of approximately 20 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over the next decade. Currently implementing its first large-scale project in Battambang, Green Carbon collaborates with local institutions and leverages advanced technologies to enhance project management and environmental sustainability.

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Published Sep 19, 2025

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In a significant move towards environmental sustainability, Green Carbon, a Japanese startup, has set its sights on mitigating methane emissions from rice cultivation in Cambodia, a sector responsible for over half of the country's agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. The company has ambitious plans to expand its operations across 500,000 hectares in eight to ten provinces, with a target of reducing approximately 20 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and generating corresponding carbon credits over the next decade.

Central to its strategy, Green Carbon has been developing tailored carbon credit generation projects that align with the unique natural resources of each region. Utilizing satellite data for site selection and ongoing monitoring, the company ensures efficient and transparent project management.

In Battambang province, Green Carbon is currently executing its inaugural large-scale Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) rice cultivation project, which spans 1,000 hectares. Following a successful pilot project in 2024 that demonstrated substantial reductions in methane emissions alongside increased rice yields, the company plans to gradually expand this initiative in subsequent cropping seasons.

Since April 2024, Green Carbon has engaged as a cooperating organization in the Satreps (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) project, led by Japan's International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS). This initiative is dedicated to advancing greenhouse gas reduction technologies in the kingdom, particularly through the development of an innovative water management system for rice paddies.

In a collaborative effort to enhance local agricultural practices, Green Carbon has also partnered with the Royal University of Agriculture since October 2024, focusing on pilot demonstrations in Battambang. As part of its commitment to sustainable development, the company has submitted its project idea note to the Global Environment Centre Foundation and is progressing with the project registration process under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) framework, in coordination with Cambodia's Ministry of Environment and the JCM Secretariat in Japan.

Established in 2014, the JCM is pivotal to Japan's support of Cambodia's decarbonization efforts, funding projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while allowing Japan to credit a portion of these reductions towards its own commitments under the Paris Agreement. Through these initiatives, Green Carbon is not only addressing pressing environmental challenges but is also contributing to the economic viability of rice production in Cambodia.