The findings were published by the Japan-based carbon credit firm to highlight how AWD can simultaneously deliver environmental and economic benefits with high-quality carbon credits.
“AWD is not just an environmental measure; as described below, it is unique in that it can simultaneously improve farmers’ profits, generate high-quality carbon credits, and create added value such as environmentally friendly rice low-carbon rice.”
The project’s findings reported that methane emissions were reduced by approximately 49 per cent on average.
This was equivalent to 2.97 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per hectare per growing season.
The report said this was a “significant” reduction of methane when compared with conventional continuous flooding practices.
Furthermore, many plots recorded yield increases, with some seeing over 40 per cent rises.
One farmer with approximately four hectares reported a 130% year-on-year income increase, translating to roughly THB 100,000 (U$3,200) per season
The report noted that 100 per cent of participating farmers expressed interest in continuing AWD practices, citing reduced water use, higher productivity and positive environmental impact as key motivators.
The project was carried out across multiple regions in Thailand in partnership with farmers and universities such as Naresuan University, Mahidol University and Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon.
Thailand’s key role in carbon credits
Green Carbon highlighted that Thailand was one of the world’s leading rice producers and exporters, and its agricultural sector accounts for approximately 18% of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Rice farming accounts for roughly half of these emissions, making the rice farming sector one of the most important sectors in climate change countermeasures.
At the same time, Thailand is emerging as a key player in the carbon credit market.
The country has advanced institutional frameworks for carbon credits, including the Japan–Thailand Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), Article 6 cooperation with Singapore, and bilateral credit collaboration with Switzerland.
Thailland’s Department of Climate Change and Environment has also introduced cap international credit transfers at 3% of total emissions, ensuring environmental integrity while enabling participation in global markets.
These conditions position Thailand as a key Asian country capable of linking rice-sector emission reductions with international carbon credit demand.
Green Carbon believes Thailand is one of the few key Asian countries capable of simultaneously implementing rice-sector emission reductions and participating in the international carbon credit market.
The Green Carbon report emphasised that carbon reductions were validated through direct measurement rather than estimates alone.
With this methodology, it believes it can support the creation of low-carbon rice and high-quality carbon credits, which are increasingly in demand in international compliance markets.
1 Million tonnes by 2030
Moving forward Green Carbon has hopes the project will be expanded across Thailand and has recommended that it expand in stages on a project-by-project basis and expand in line with JCM rules, Article 6 frameworks, and DCCE regulations.
It suggested that individual projects cover up to 50,000 hectares, which would deliver annual reductions of around five tonnes of CO2 per hectare.
By 2030, it could achieve cumulative reductions of approximately one million tonnes per project.
