The recent launch of the Zimbabwe Carbon Registry (ZCR), the world’s first blockchain-based national carbon registry compliant with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, represents not only a groundbreaking milestone in global climate governance but also a remarkable story of collaboration, innovation, and relentless effort.
Behind the registry’s successful launch stands an extraordinary partnership between technology firm A6 Labs, environmental policy experts Terraviva Services, and Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife.
The ZCR was conceived as an ambitious solution to longstanding issues plaguing traditional carbon markets—such as transparency gaps, manual errors, verification difficulties, and inefficient processes.
Realizing the scale of the challenge, Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment initiated a comprehensive partnership, engaging Terraviva Services to develop an extensive legal and regulatory framework, while entrusting A6 Labs with the creation of an innovative technological platform to underpin the registry.
Felix Mechnig-Giordano, General Manager of Terraviva Services, underscored the complexity of developing the policy framework: “We conducted multiple rounds of public consultation to ensure the framework was robust, inclusive, and beneficial to all market participants.
Our extensive policy guidelines now guarantee stringent environmental and social safeguards, benefiting project developers, buyers, and communities alike.”
A6 Labs, led by CEO Harib Bakhshi, tackled the equally formidable task of developing the registry’s advanced blockchain technology.
The platform is sophisticated under the hood, yet designed to provide an intuitive, user-friendly experience, seamlessly automating numerous processes such as project onboarding, credit issuance, corresponding adjustments, and retirement. Automation dramatically reduces human error and ensures consistent accuracy and reliability.
- The collaborative journey of A6 labs, terraviva, and the government of Zimbabwe in revolutionizing carbon markets
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Harib Bakhshi explained the innovative ambition of the platform: “Our team worked relentlessly to create something truly transformative. The complexity involved in building a blockchain-based carbon market platform cannot be overstated. We aimed not just to meet existing standards, but to innovate significantly beyond them, disrupting an industry long overdue for technological advancement.”
The platform’s design prioritizes ease of use, supported by comprehensive mobile functionality, enabling stakeholders to engage effectively regardless of location or technical expertise. Critical functionalities, such as automated credit retirement through blockchain token burning, safeguard against double counting, ensuring credits are permanently removed from circulation upon retirement.
Throughout the development phase, close cooperation between Terraviva and A6 Labs ensured alignment between policy requirements and technological capabilities.
Regular interaction with Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment guaranteed that national climate objectives remained at the forefront, ultimately embedding Zimbabwe’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) within the registry’s core functionalities.
Reflecting on the collaborative success, Harib Bakhshi stated, “What we've accomplished together is unprecedented. This project showcases the power of combining technological innovation with meticulous policy-making and visionary governmental support. It’s an example of true collaborative innovation, setting a global benchmark for climate governance.”
Felix Mechnig-Giordano echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the robustness of their combined approach: “Our policies, combined with A6 Labs’ advanced technological solutions, provide comprehensive safeguards and benefits for every stakeholder. The ZCR now stands as a model of transparency, accountability, and environmental integrity for global carbon markets.”
The collaborative achievement of A6 Labs, Terraviva Services, and Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment has not only delivered a world-leading carbon registry but has also established a replicable model for other nations seeking innovation in climate governance.
A6 Labs: https://a6labs.io
Terraviva Services: https://oneterraviva.com
