Pune Startup Launches TCC App for Efficient Carbon Sequestration Measurement; Pilot Testing Conducted on Prabhat Road

Reported by Varad Bhatkhande

Pune, 28th August 2024: The Green Concept, a startup specializing in carbon assessment and restoration ecology, is transforming how we measure and manage carbon sequestration in India. They have launched the Tree Carbon Collect (TCC) app, which simplifies recording tree data and calculating carbon sequestration according to species-specific wood densities to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) standards. One of the app’s prototype tests was conducted on Pune’s Prabhat Road, where numerous trees were assessed.

Founded by Dr Rohan Shetti, Dr Aboli Kulkarni, and Dr Girish Kulkarni, The Green Concept blends their expertise in ecology, environmental science, and data analytics. Dr Shetti specializes in ecosystem dynamics with more than 15 years of experience working with European Carbon Markets, Dr Aboli Kulkarni is a CII-certified carbon expert with a focus on ecology, biodiversity and taxonomy, and Dr Girish Kulkarni a post-doc scientist in mathematics brings extensive experience in data science and machine learning to the team.

One of the founders, Dr. Rohan Shetti, told Punekar News, “Previously, measuring species-specific carbon sequestration and geotagging of a tree was a time-consuming process. However, with this new app and dashboard, we were able to measure the carbon sequestration of around 100 trees on Pune’s Prabhat Road geotag and map in just one hour. This means each tree took less than a minute to measure. This initiative is crucial for our nation as this technology is scalable and usable for geotagging and Carbon measurement of trees in large public and private landscapes such as streets, highways, forests, industries with plantations, residential complexes and parks. This app has additional features for tree health monitoring and reporting critical for ecosystem data collection.

Based in Pune at Mohar Apartments in Erandwane, The Green Concept has been involved in various projects across urban, residential, and industrial areas. The TCC app has been rigorously tested, including a case study on Prabhat Road, showing its effectiveness in real-world settings.

The Green Concept aims to meet the urgent need for precise carbon assessment tools amid climate change. By providing accurate and adaptable solutions, the startup supports carbon credit reporting and promotes environmental sustainability.

The TCC app lets users efficiently record and calculate carbon data related to trees. It features geotagging and offers detailed information on a user-friendly dashboard. In a recent demo, the app assessed carbon sequestration along a 1.3 km stretch of Prabhat Road, finding 233.10 tonnes of biomass and 116.55 tonnes of sequestered carbon, equivalent to 427.74 tonnes of CO2. Expert botanist and taxonomist Dr Aparna Watve was involved in the prototype test for Prabhat Road sampling.

Tracking Carbon Sequestration: Essential for Climate Goals

Measuring carbon sequestration is crucial in the fight against climate change. It helps track how much carbon dioxide is captured and stored by natural systems like trees and soil. Accurate measurements are vital for carbon credit programs, supporting sustainability, and shaping policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By monitoring carbon sequestration, we can better gauge our progress toward climate goals, enhance restoration efforts, and develop strategies to improve ecosystem health while addressing global warming.