Jute Foundation

Empowering Sustainable Development: Carbon Credits that Drive Positive Change Across All UN SDG Goals

The methodologies established within the FIBER Credit Program describe the precise procedures and requirements that FIBER projects must adhere to in order to qualify and quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions, carbon dioxide removals, and the avoidance of upstream plastic utilization, for which tokenized FIBER Credits are issued.

Currently, the FIBER Program offers three methodologies focusing on carbon sequestration, plastic avoidance, and bundled environmental credits. Each methodology articulates specific conditions of applicability and outlines criteria for defining the project boundary, identifying the baseline scenario, assessing additionality, quantifying reductions and/or removals, and establishing requisite monitoring procedures.

As a fundamental element of the FIBER Program, all methodologies undergo public stakeholder consultation and a thorough review process, including evaluation by an independent group of experts. This rigorous process ensures technical accuracy, consistency, and adherence to program regulations.

Each methodology—Carbon, Plastic, or Environment—specifically addresses the pertinent climate impacts, and the associated project activities must align with its objectives. Project developers can determine the appropriate methodology by ensuring compliance with the applicable conditions outlined in the methodology and adherence to all guidelines and standards set forth by the FIBER Program.

By adhering to the stipulations outlined in the chosen methodology, project developers will quantify the environmental impact of their initiatives. This includes measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, carbon dioxide removals, and upstream plastic avoidance resulting from their project activities.

Upon the accurate assessment of a project’s climate impact, The Jute Foundation will authorize the issuance of FIBER Credits. This process includes recording the credits on a blockchain to ensure immutability and safeguard against fraud, duplicity, and double counting.

Following a thorough assessment, the FIBER Program will establish the provenance of the credits by detailing the entire lifecycle involved in generating FIBER Credits. This will guarantee transparency, traceability, and verifiability of the credits. The resulting tokenized FIBER Credits will embody the project’s climate benefits and will be ready for trading in both carbon and plastic markets.

Active Methodologies

The following FIBER Credit methodologies are currently active within the FIBER Program framework. Projects may use these methodologies when registering with The Jute Foundation’s FIBER Program, provided they adhere to all program guidelines and standards and their activities are deemed eligible under the FIBER Program. For detailed information on compliance, please consult the most recent version of the FIBER Program Standards in the Guidelines & Standards Section.

The Environmental Impacts of FIBER Credits

Carbon sequestration: naturally occurring, rapidly renewable, carbon sink

Plastic avoidance: the global first program focused on eliminating upstream plastic use through jute products and providing offset mechanism for plastic use

Bundled credits: a uniquely positioned comprehensive credit for discerning organizations seeking a holistic environment impact

FIBER Credits address all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations

FIBER CREDITS SATISFY ALL 17 SDG GOALS

Increases income for farmers and stakeholders.

Enhanced incomes lead to additional revenue.

Natural soil fertilization and avoids microplastics.

Economic stability. Families afford education. Reduces child labor.

Empowers women in rural areas through employment and skill development.

Alternatives reduce water pollution. Promote purification solutions.

Provides biomass from jute sticks for green energy applications.

Supports sustainable livelihoods and additional income.

Invests in alternatives to plastics and improves agricultural infrastructure.

Increases farmer incomes through carbon credits and price adjustments.

Jute bags replace plastics, enhancing urban health and agricultural quality.

Encourages a shift from plastics to jute.

Ecological restoration. Carbon sequestration through jute cultivation.

Reduces marine pollution with biodegradable products.

Enhances soil health and reduces demand for petroleum-based products.

Supports resource stability and community empowerment.

Encourages collaboration for eco-friendly practices and rural livelihoods.

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UPCOMING METHODOLOGIES

The Jute Foundation’s FIBER Program is committed to building the Framework for Income, Biodiversity, and Emission Reduction. Towards this, it is also spearheading the development of the following methodologies:

Carbon sequestration: naturally occurring, rapidly renewable, carbon sink

Plastic avoidance: the global first program focused on eliminating upstream plastic use through jute products and providing offset mechanism for plastic use

Bundled credits: a uniquely positioned comprehensive credit for discerning organizations seeking a holistic environment impact

FIBER Credits address all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations

Expanding Global Markets for Eco-Friendly Commerce

We open new doors for commercial enterprises by aggressively educating global consumers on the benefits of jute. By actively combating plastic usage, we stimulate international demand, helping businesses transition into highly profitable, green marketplaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Jute Foundation currently offers three methodologies:

· TJF0001 Carbon sequestration: GHG accounting for jute cultivation, covering biomass and stem, compliant with ISO 14064-2; one TCU equals one tonne of CO₂e sequestered, net of upstream emissions.

· TJF0002 Plastic avoidance: LCA-based equivalence testing measuring petrochemical substitution for jute products; one TPU equals one tonne of displaced plastic packaging.

· TJF0003 Dual-credit: A bundled methodology that combines carbon and plastic benefits for manufactured jute bags.

The FIBER Credits methodology, developed with top academic institutions and validated by ICAR-CRIJAF’s field studies using eddy-covariance flux measurements, follows the CDM AR-ACM0001 framework and is designed for jute’s annual cultivation cycle.

TJF0002 uses a Life Cycle Assessment to quantify plastic displacement for different jute products. It considers load capacity, reuse cycles, and end-of-life features. The peer-reviewed displacement coefficients are: 1 tonne of jute sacking displaces 0.85–1.0 tonnes of woven polypropylene; 1 tonne of jute carry bags displaces 0.6–0.8 tonnes of LDPE/HDPE film; and 1 tonne of jute geo-textiles displaces 0.7–1.1 tonnes of polyester/polypropylene geo-textiles. These coefficients are reviewed periodically as data evolves.

Projects can apply TJF0001 and TJF0002 separately, or use TJF0003, which combines both into a single methodology with a unified fibre-batch identity. When multiple methodologies are used, proponents must ensure GHG emission reductions and plastic displacement claims are distinct and not double-counted, which TJF0003 manages automatically. Manufacturers sourcing from various farmers may utilize TJF0003 to cover the entire supply chain from farm-gate to mill-gate.

The Jute Foundation invites proposals from researchers, industry stakeholders, and institutions to improve existing methodologies (TJF0001, TJF0002, TJF0003) and develop new methodologies related to Jute. Developers should first submit a concept note for review; upon approval, they can develop the full methodology. This will then go through a 15-day public comment period and an independent assessment by an accredited VVB before formal adoption. Guidelines are available in the JWF Methodology Approval Process document on the website.

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