Groundwork BioAg, a global leader in mycorrhizal technology, and Anew Climate, LLC , one of North America’s largest carbon credit marketers, announced a strategic collaboration to deliver and market approximately 500,000 tons CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e) of independently verified, durable mycorrhizal carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits over the next three years. These credits will be generated through Groundwork’s pioneering Rootella Carbon program under the Verra VM0042 standard.

“This partnership underscores the transformative potential of Rootella Carbon,” said Alon Werber, CEO of Groundwork. “Support from recognized global leaders like Anew and third-party validation sets the stage for a new mycorrhizal carbon asset class – a critical lever for climate mitigation and farm resilience. Rootella’s verified high-durability CDR asset class delivers measurable climate impact, resilient farm economics, and confidence for both carbon buyers and growers.”

Independent verification by SCS Global found that Rootella has permanently sequestered an average of 3.89 tCO₂e per acre within one year based on 2023 field data from 9,000 enrolled acres. This performance exceeds Groundwork’s expectations of 1.5–3.5 tCO₂e/ac and far surpasses legacy programs, which average 0.3–1.1 tCO₂e/ac according to US EPA and Frontiers Sustainable Food Systems data.

As the largest Rootella Carbon contract to date, participating growers gain immediate premium revenue, receiving up to 70 per cent of net proceeds. Rootella inoculants also provide significant in-field benefits, including 5–15 per cent higher corn and soybean yields, up to 50 per cent reduction in phosphorus costs, enhanced plant resilience, and improved overall soil health.

Joshua Strauss, President of Environmental Products at Anew Climate, emphasized the program’s market impact: “As the voluntary carbon market evolves, demand for scientifically robust and scalable solutions continues to grow. Rootella Carbon delivers on both fronts. By working directly with growers, the program ensures durable, validated, high-value CDR credits while benefiting growers, the global supply chain, and the planet.”

Groundwork’s program revolutionizes nature-based CDR by leveraging mycorrhizal fungi as carbon pathways to the soil, catalyzing the formation of mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM), which remains stable in soil for millennia compared to decades for other programs. With over half a million acres enrolled and credits verified under Verra VM0042, Rootella Carbon employs a precise “measure and remeasure” methodology, using stratified treated and control plots for accurate quantification.

“Our partnership with Anew highlights our commitment to making Rootella Carbon accessible to growers worldwide while enabling corporations to meet net-zero targets,” said Dan Grotsky, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Groundwork. “Rootella Carbon can unlock carbon credit eligibility for 270 million acres of reduced tillage in the US, Canada, and Brazil alone, while simultaneously improving water retention, biodiversity, crop yields, and farm resilience.”