Nueva Ecija Launches Southeast Asia's First Carbon Credit Project with Biochar Production
Project NuevaChar in Nueva Ecija, launched in 2022 by Governor Aurelio Umali, is the first in Southeast Asia to generate carbon credits through biochar production. The facility converts rice husks into soil enhancers, supporting sustainable agriculture.
In its first rollout, 363 metric tons of biochar were distributed across 32 municipalities, covering 181 hectares. The project received validation from Puro.earth for its carbon dioxide removal, enabling certified carbon credit issuance.
The provincial government launched a training program on biochar applications and collaborated with various institutions including the Climate Change Commission and International Rice Research Institute. On July 14, 2025, the first carbon revenue was formally received.
