Greenlines Technology, a pioneering climate tech company based in Vancouver, has announced the approval of the world’s first carbon credit generation process patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent, titled “Methods and Systems for Conversion of Physical Movements to Carbon Units” with Patent Number US 11,774,255 B2, represents a significant advancement in global carbon markets. Greenlines Technology is known for its advanced digital measurement, reporting, and verification (dMRV) technology, which empowers and rewards sustainable behavior in the mobility and e-commerce industries to make a positive environmental impact.
The patent, known as the Mobility Carbon Engine (MCE™), enables mobility app owners to measure and monetize emission reductions facilitated by users. This groundbreaking technology accurately calculates and monetizes these reductions, setting a precedent for quantifying sustainable transportation impacts. The MCE has been in use since 2019 in over 60 cities across Canada and the U.S., highlighting its importance in reducing emissions and promoting sustainability in mobility.
CEO and co-founder David Oliver emphasized the significance of the MCETM in recognizing and rewarding individuals and organizations for choosing sustainable alternatives. He stated, “By providing a systematic approach to accurately quantify and recognize emission reductions resulting from individuals’ use of low-carbon land, water, and air-based transportation modes, the MCETM creates a comprehensive framework that rewards individuals and organizations for choosing sustainable alternatives.”
Transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States, accounting for approximately 29% of total emissions according to the Environmental Protection Agency. With a large percentage of Americans commuting an average of 44 km or 27 miles to work, the potential for emission reductions is significant. Oliver estimates that if 10% of these commuters use the MCE, it could potentially slash their emissions by around 20%, resulting in a total of 24 million tons of CO2 emission reductions each year in the U.S. transport sector.
The MCE is powered by Greenlines’ proprietary Modal Shift Optimization GHG Quantification Methodology, ensuring that the carbon credits generated through the app meet the highest standards and trade at a premium price. The technology utilizes advanced algorithms to measure emission reductions from each trip, avoiding reversal and ensuring offsets are permanent. It is user-friendly and accessible to everyone.
To meet the criterion of additionality, the MCE creates a custom baseline for each user and uses it as a reference for calculating emission reductions. The data is crucial in ensuring that the reductions are additional compared to emissions without the offset project. Greenlines establishes baselines using regional project and baseline emissions for various transportation modes, including taxis, public transit, ride-hailing, e-scooters, and pedal bikes.
The innovative technology employs a robust monitoring system to track and verify emission reductions, with verification conducted by independent, third-party verifiers. Verified emission reductions (VERs) have been successfully sold as carbon credits to voluntary buyers in the carbon market. Greenlines’ carbon offset project is transparent, providing publicly accessible information on the amount of CO2 reduced, the MRV process, and offset revenue use. These high-quality carbon credits represent a tonne of reduced CO2 emissions.
Greenlines’ technology has the potential to revolutionize the mobility sector while providing a strong incentive for individuals to choose low-carbon trips. It empowers mobility aggregators, transit agencies, trip planning apps, and private mobility providers to promote sustainable transportation practices.
In addition to tracking and monetizing emissions from personal trips, the patent also covers emissions from food and package deliveries. Greenlines’ upcoming E-commerce Carbon Engine (ECE), currently in its pilot phase, will generate carbon credits from low-carbon items purchased on e-commerce or online trading platforms. The ECE uses proprietary algorithms to calculate the CO2 footprint of each product, allowing consumers to make low-carbon purchases and potentially reduce emissions from online shopping.
Greenlines has already implemented the MCE technology in various North American cities and plans to expand its reach globally by initiating patent applications in other jurisdictions, such as the EU. The company aims to incentivize and drive sustainable practices worldwide through carbon credits generated by its patented technology.
By combining innovative technology with sustainability, Greenlines is revolutionizing carbon markets while giving commuters the opportunity to identify, quantify, and monetize their carbon emissions reductions.
