SOUTH AFRICAN FARMERS TO EARN FROM FIRST VERIFIED CARBON CREDITS THROUGH UPL CORP’S CARBONSMART PROGRAMME
• UPL’s CarbonSmart programme to issue its first 26,102 verified carbon credits to farmers.
• Initiative empowers South African farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture and benefit from carbon markets.
• Partnership with Orizon Agriculture and Verra certification marks a breakthrough in sustainable farming.
Durban, South Africa, September 16, 2025 – UPL Corporation Ltd. (UPL Corp), a global provider of holistic and sustainable agricultural solutions, has reached a major milestone with its CarbonSmart programme. The first batch of 26,102 verified carbon credits will soon be issued to the programme, following the successful registration of the initiative with Verra, the global standard for carbon credit certification.
CarbonSmart helps farmers adopt regenerative practices that improve soil health, cut emissions, and capture carbon in the soil. These efforts not only make farms more climate-positive but also provide farmers with a new income stream through carbon credits.
“Verra’s certification validates the scientific integrity of the CarbonSmart programme,” said Hein van der Merwe, Regional Head for Marketing and Business Development at UPL Corp Africa. “It’s a win for our farmers, our partner Orizon, and the environment. This milestone proves that sustainable farming can deliver real financial and environmental benefits”.
Developed in partnership with Orizon, CarbonSmart falls under one of only three projects globally to have credits approved under Verra's VM0042 methodology for improved agricultural land management. “This achievement reflects the hard work of our team, the pioneering farmers involved, and our collaboration with UPL,” said Michael Lilje, CEO of Orizon. “UPL’s commitment to natural agricultural solutions has been key to helping farmers transition to regenerative practices. Together, we’re scaling impact, regenerating farmland, and advancing sustainability in agriculture.”
The first credits are based on measurable improvements in soil organic carbon across 2,884 hectares of maize cropland. Farmers achieved these results using reduced tillage, cover cropping, and UPL’s NPP biosolutions to boost soil health and carbon sequestration.
CarbonSmart is designed to put farmers first, with the majority of revenue from credit sales going directly to them. “This milestone proves that building a resilient agricultural sector doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment,” said Matthew Kensett, Specialised Agri Solutions and Intelligence Lead at UPL Corp Africa. “We’re proud to support farmers who are leading the way in climate-positive farming in South Africa.”
Looking ahead, UPL Corp plans to expand CarbonSmart beyond its pilot phase, working with food value chain partners to include new crops and regions. The initiative is a key part of UPL’s Gigaton Carbon Goal, which aims to remove one billion tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere by 2040.
ENDS
For more information or to join the CarbonSmart programme please contact:
UPL
Matthew Kensett
Specialised Agri Solutions & Intelligence Lead – Africa
UPL Corp.
matthew.kensett@upl-ltd.com
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About UPL Corp
UPL Corporation Ltd. (UPL Corp) is a leading global crop protection and biological solutions company defining the future through sustainable agriculture and a grower-first mindset. With a robust portfolio of holistic solutions, UPL Corp aims to create shared growth and prosperity for farming communities, agriculture, and our planet. As the largest of UPL Group’s pureplay platforms, UPL Corp contributes to more than $5bn in annual revenue and is a leader in fostering collaboration through OpenAg® to develop advanced technologies for crop health and productivity.
About UPL Group
UPL Ltd. (NSE: UPL, BSE: 512070, LSE GDR: UPLL) is a global provider of sustainable agricultural products and solutions that cover the entire agrifood value chain. With annual revenue exceeding $6bn, the company is one of the largest agriculture companies worldwide, serving growers in more than 130 countries. UPL Group consists of four pure-play platforms that include UPL Corporation Ltd. (UPL Corp); UPL Sustainable Agri Solutions (SAS); Advanta Enterprises Ltd.; and UPL Specialty Chemicals Ltd. (USCL). Together, these platforms are dedicated to Reimagining Sustainability and driving progress in our food system through our innovative OpenAg® approach. To learn more about UPL, please visit upl-ltd.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.
