Toucan Protocol: Nature Carbon Tonne (NCT) is a nature-based carbon token representing carbon credits from projects such as reforestation initiatives and habitat protection. It is the first open, pooled, nature-based token designed to bring transparency and traceability to carbon offsetting by leveraging blockchain technology. NCT is an ERC-20 token that trades on the Polygon network.
The Toucan Protocol uses blockchain technology to tokenize carbon credits from nature-based projects. These credits are represented by NCT tokens on the Polygon network, which operates using a Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism. NCT tokens adhere to the ERC-20 token standard, facilitating their use in various decentralized finance applications. Carbon credits backing NCT are held in the Nature Carbon Pool and are backed 1:1 with the credits from nature-based methodologies dating from 2012 onwards.
NCT has broad applicability in several areas:
Toucan Protocol was founded in October 2021 to bridge carbon offset registries with blockchain, enhancing market transparency. In February 2022, Toucan introduced NCT to represent nature-based carbon credits. The protocol has since established significant partnerships, such as with Regen Network, and developed bridges to prevent double counting of carbon credits across different blockchains. Toucan Protocol aims to improve the quality of carbon credits by adjusting eligibility criteria to ensure high standards within its pools. The protocol is part of the broader ReFi movement, focusing on creating regenerative economic systems through blockchain technology.