A Discussion on RenewCred: Organising the Carbon Market.

Impact X Studio recently hosted an in-depth conversation with Abhimanyu Rathi, an experienced climate scientist and founder of RenewCred, a pioneering startup transforming carbon markets through science-driven technology. With over 16 years dedicated to renewable energy, water purification, and carbon markets, Abhimanyu shares insights into how his company is building a transparent, trustworthy carbon credit marketplace to drive corporate decarbonization and support sustainable projects globally.

Bridging Science and Market Innovation

Abhimanyu’s journey—from climate scientist to entrepreneur—reflects a unique blend of rigorous scientific expertise and entrepreneurial vision. RenewCred operates as a standard and registry entity, providing the audit, verification, and issuance services vital to ensure authenticity and integrity in the carbon markets. By equating each ton of CO2 reduced or sequestered to a carbon credit, the company facilitates trusted transactions between project developers who generate these credits and enterprises eager to offset their emissions voluntarily or to comply with regulations.

The company stands out with its team of 93 scientists from diverse disciplines who develop robust methodologies and algorithms that underpin the accuracy of carbon credit measurement. RenewCred digitizes these processes, integrating IoT sensor data from engineered projects such as EV fleets and solar systems with a machine learning engine to automate credit issuance within 24 hours. This innovation culminates in Absorbex, an Amazon-like marketplace that empowers buyers to transparently select certified carbon credits aligned with their sustainability goals.

Expanding Domain Impact and Market Accessibility

RenewCred’s technological ecosystem supports a diverse array of environmental projects, currently covering five key sectors: EV fleets, biochar, compressed biogas, solar, and methane reduction, with an ambitious roadmap to expand into agroforestry, regenerative farming, direct air capture, and carbon capture utilization over the next year.

Reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and integrity, RenewCred does not charge project developers for verification or issuance services, instead levying fees on credit buyers. This approach democratizes access for smaller project developers and prevents greenwashing, thereby fostering long-term market confidence and enabling more genuine climate action.

Navigating India’s Emerging Carbon Policy Landscape

India is at a pivotal moment in scaling its carbon markets. Abhimanyu highlights the government’s upcoming Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), scheduled to activate in October 2026, which will establish a compliance market that runs parallel to the voluntary market, expected to grow tenfold as seen in other countries.

India’s unique challenge lies in balancing rising energy demands—with projected tripling of coal use—with its net-zero target set for 2070. This tension underscores the urgent need for accelerated adoption of credible carbon markets to shift enterprises towards sustainable practices. Consumers too are increasingly demanding sustainability credentials, driving a cultural shift that complements regulatory progress.

Overcoming Challenges and Building for Scale

The transition from scientist to business founder has been marked by challenges, including the need to master cross-disciplinary domains such as policy, technology, regulation, and community building. Access to capital remains crucial but complex, especially in the early traction stages typical of deep science ventures. Despite this, RenewCred has forged ahead, establishing partnerships with notable academic institutions and government forums while building a community of global scientists through a unique “LinkedIn for scientists” platform that invites collaborative methodology development.

A Call for Long-Term Commitment and Market Confidence

Abhimanyu calls on investors and corporations to move beyond spot purchases of carbon credits towards long-term agreements that sustain the emerging carbon project ecosystem, especially in the global south. RenewCred’s portfolio of projects demonstrates measurable environmental impact paired with significant social co-benefits, improving livelihoods and health alongside emission reductions.

Looking ahead, RenewCred aims to onboard 15 new projects in the next six months and is actively seeking investment to accelerate growth while continuing to reduce verification costs and increase transparency via blockchain technology.