Climate change: CO₂ is being captured in Val Dogà
Between the River Sile and the Venice Lagoon, there are algae and aquatic plants that sequester CO₂. And respect for biodiversity is also guaranteed.
Key points
CO₂ capture and biodiversity. The Val Dogà, situated between the River Sile and the Venice Lagoon, comprises 1,734 hectares of brackish water bodies and salt marshes; movable sluice gates regulate the exchange of water with the sea, whilst maintenance of the canals helps to maintain the balance of the ecosystem. This water regulation promotes the growth of algae and aquatic plants that sequester CO₂. Part of the biomass sinks to the riverbed, where carbon can be sequestered in the soil, whilst the cleaning of the canals reduces the risk of silting and anoxia.
The reported removals amount to 448,710 tonnes of CO₂ in 2018, 386,025 in 2019 and 312,219 in 2020: 1,146,954 tonnes over the three-year period. These are significant annual figures; however, they are not guaranteed for subsequent years.
Monitoring and certification
The monitoring programme, which has been in operation since 2013, involves analysing water and seabed samples via two monitoring stations providing continuous data, as well as satellite observations. The calculation follows the UNI/PdR 99:2021 standard, deducts emissions from activities in the valley and applies a conservative margin of 50 per cent; half of the estimated absorption therefore does not count towards a carbon credit.
In summary: Blue Valley develops the project and manages the valley, Bios srl verifies the data and calculations using the βneutral version 3 programme and issues the certificates, whilst Up2You incorporates them into companies’ measurement programmes using Climax and emissions reduction schemes, markets them and handles their final collection on behalf of clients, documenting this with digital proof.
Monitoring, prudential calculation and verification make it possible to distinguish between CO₂ removed and credits issued and retired. Offsetting complements direct emissions reductions, without replacing them.
