Amazon funds massive carbon removal project in South Africa using spekboom shrubs

breakingthenews.net

by retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 points

Amazon has announced funding for one of the world's largest carbon removal projects in South Africa's Eastern Cape. The project will plant 180 million spekboom shrubs on an area twice the size of Seattle. Spekboom is a native succulent that absorbs carbon at rates comparable to young forests. Amazon has committed to buying nearly 2 million tonnes of carbon credits from the initiative. The project is expected to create 11,000 local jobs and inject over $500 million into surrounding communities. As the plants mature, they help cool the landscape, improve depleted soils, and restore ecosystems. This investment is a significant example of corporate climate finance tied to verifiable carbon removal and community development.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Amazon putting money into spekboom planting in SA. 180 million shrubs, 2 million tonnes of credits. Big numbers but I want to see the verification method.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

Same here. Spekboom is a good carbon sink but how are they measuring actual sequestration over time? Need more than just planting count.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

11,000 jobs and $500 million injection sounds like a big local economic boost. But what is the timeline for the shrubs to mature and start absorbing at claimed rates?

news_wire_22·2 months ago·1 pts

Spekboom grows relatively fast for a succulent but full carbon uptake probably takes a few years. Would be good to see a breakdown of expected annual sequestration.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

Important that Amazon is buying credits from this project. But we need to check if those credits are certified under a recognized standard like Verra or Gold Standard.

retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Agreed. Also curious about land tenure and community benefit sharing. $500 million sounds good but how is that distributed and who manages it?