Boomitra

Country: Botswana

Boomitra Oasis Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage

Bush encroachment, a widespread challenge in Botswana and across the region, occurs when invasive woody shrubs overtake savanna grasslands—degrading biodiversity, reducing grazing productivity, and increasing wildfire risk. For many landowners, the cost of removing these encroaching species is too high, and current practices are limited to burning or indiscriminate killing with chemical treatments or mechanical means—all of which have negative consequences and leave the ecosystem and livelihoods at risk.

Boomitra’s approach to biomass burial transforms the bush encroachment challenge into a climate solution. We work with local expert partners to selectively remove targeted woody species, dry and process biomass into dense, sealed bales, then bury the bales underground at secure sites. This process durably stores carbon for over 100 years, while restoring key savanna ecosystems—resulting in improved land productivity, increased biodiversity, restored habitats, and job creation. The project is designed for scale, starting with 10,000 hectares in Botswana and expanding to over 1 million hectares across the region.

Total area: 10,000 hectares

Project ID: in progress

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What Makes this Project Unique

Beyond durable carbon storage: Our project delivers long-term carbon storage, but also actively supports the mitigation of woody plant encroachment—a challenge that has negatively impacted ecosystems in Botswana, the surrounding region, and across the globe.

A hybrid of nature-based and engineered pathways: We combine thoughtful use of technology and machinery with nature-positive principles to create a solution that is both effective and operationally straightforward. Our approach is readily scalable, applicable even in remote areas, and highly carbon efficient.

Supporting broader change: Our sustainable approach to addressing bush encroachment is part of a holistic effort to regenerate degraded savanna ecosystems. Selective thinning of encroacher bush supports the regrowth of grasses to restore ecosystem balance—improving land productivity, reviving biodiversity, reducing fire risk, creating jobs, and increasing food security.

Close collaboration with trusted local partners: We have the support and expertise of several forward-thinking local partners. With decades of experience in our project area, our partners bring a breadth of knowledge that is both crucial for project success and helps limit the number of parties to streamline project execution.

This project contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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