October 28th, 2022
Blockchain for Climate Innovation
Survey Results
Nelly Maria Ramírez Moncada
May 6th, 2023
Executive Summary (1)
This survey report provides an overview of various blockchain initiatives focused on testing scalable and innovative technologies with broad use cases. These initiatives aim to work with underserved communities, offering them alternative livelihood options. The survey respondents highlighted several challenges, including financing, product development, and regulatory navigation. Partnerships and collaborations played a crucial role in the successful implementation of blockchain for climate action, with specific government and private sector policies/initiatives contributing significantly.
The majority of surveyed blockchain initiatives rely on Ethereum, CELO, and Gnosis for their technology. Decentralized ledgers, smart contracts, digital tokens, and DAOs are among the key attributes of the blockchain technology employed. Web3 communities are prevalent within these organizations, with Discord, Telegram, and Twitter being the commonly used hosting platforms.
Blockchain technology offers various benefits over traditional methods, including enhanced security, decentralization, transparency, increased efficiency, trust, immutable records, automated processes, and interoperability. The primary objectives or impact areas of these initiatives include the voluntary carbon market and ecosystem restoration, aiming to address challenges such as access to climate finance, climate change mitigation, and adaptation.
This survey was conducted between January and March 2023 with the participation of 14 initiatives operating in emerging markets.
Executive Summary (2)
Most initiatives have demonstrated positive impacts in underserved communities and emerging markets, supporting local economies and businesses while seeking scalability. Approximately 58% of respondents use specific frameworks to measure their impact, while others rely on Key Performance Indicators. Funding requirements for measurable impact vary among respondents.
Revenue from carbon sequestration distribution to communities or territories varies based on project and location, with uncertainty being a common response. Ease of use, decentralization, speed, and scalability are valued attributes of blockchain technology by end-users. Regulatory and legal restrictions, as well as insufficient funding, pose major challenges for adopting this technology.
Long-term growth is driven by investment financing and community building. 50% of the respondents are currently seeking investment funding, primarily between 1.5 and 3 million euros, allocated towards technological development and community expansion.
In conclusion, blockchain initiatives in the resilience landscape focus on testing scalable technology, working with underserved communities, and addressing climate-related challenges. Partnerships, government support, and private sector policies play a crucial role. Blockchain technology offers unique advantages, and while challenges exist, there is a vision for long-term growth through investment financing and community building.
General overview
What are the main challenges you are facing?
0
14
7
Interoperability challenges
Product readiness
Poor user experience
Lack of funding
Expensive and difficult user acquisition
Lack of knowledge of the technology and the business model of users
Regulation
Security and privacy challenges
Scalability
Trust barriers and demand signals
Time and Energy to be always raising money
The challenge is we operate in 2 worlds: the crypto as well as the affordable housing space.
Distrust for a too new technology
8
0
3
4
5
5
4
3
1
1
1
1
0
What is the primary source of funding for your company/initiative?
Purchase of tokens or NTfs
Bank Loans
Angel Investors
Friends and Family
Impact/Catalytic Funders
Venture Capital
Web 3 Funding
Impact Catalytic Investors
High-net-worth individuals
Institutional investors
Family offices
Environmental funds
Crowdfunding investors
Donor-advised funds (DAFs)
Web 3 Fund
Accelerators
Private sales of our token
Layer 1 blockchain (could be called Web3 Funding
0
7
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
4
6
0
What would you highlight as the
most important characteristic of your initiative?
We are testing scalable and innovative technology with extensive use cases
We are working with underserved communities and providing them with an alternative livelihood
We are sequestering a great amount of carbon
We are creating a new market
We are building trust and credibility in a new set of technologies and a new asset class
We are enabling a new for of human collaboration (DAO Builder)
We are testing scalable and innovative technology with small use cases
We are testing scalable and innovative technology with small use cases
0
14
7
12
7
3
7
1
1
1
1
Israel
United States of America
From which country did the funds for your company/initiative primarily originate?
Does not apply for my initiative
India
Mexico
0
7
4
1
1
1
6
Spain
Borderless cryptocurrency
4
1
14
Mozambique
Spain
From which country did the funds for your company/initiative primarily originate?
India
Kenya
Nigeria
0
7
1
South Africa
Colombia
14
None of the above
Uganda
United States
Global
Worldwide
Switzerland
5
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
71.4%
28.6%
Are there any specific policies or initiatives from the government or private sector that have helped implement blockchain for climate action in your country or region?
Yes
No
Are any partnerships or collaborations that have been crucial in developing and implementing your initiative?
71.4%
28.6%
Yes
No
How many employees/collaborators are contributing to your company/initiative?
7.1%
11-50
51 - 200
50%
42.9%
1 - 10
Which markets is your initiative currently serving?
Asía
South America
57.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
Africa
Australia
Global
North America
Europe
Others
Understanding the Technology
Which blockchain technology is currently in use at your organization?
What specific feature(s) of blockchain technology are you utilizing?
Does your company/initiative have a web3 community, and if so, how many members does it have?
Yes, 15000 or more members
No, we do not have a web3 community
35.7%
Yes, 1000 or more members
21.4%
7.1%
21.4%
Yes, 100-499 members
Yes, 500-999 members
Yes, less than 100 members
On which platform is your web3 community hosted?
Understanding Impact
What do you see as the added value of using blockchain technology that traditional methods would not have achieved?
Transparency
Tamper-proof records
All of the above
64.3%
14.3%
21.4%
What is the primary focus or impact area of your initiative?
What is the main issue or challenge related to climate that your initiative is working to address?
Does your initiative apply for any of the following (pick all that apply):
5 Answers (35.7%)
Are you using any particular framework to measure your impact?
57.1%
42.9%
Yes
No
If you responded yes, to the previous question, please advise which framework you are using:
35.7%
Yes
No
Are your funders requiring any measurable impact?
28.6%
Not Applicable
35.7%
57.1%
Less than 10%
10% to 25%
What is your estimate of the proportion of carbon sequestration revenue that goes directly to the communities and people residing on the territory?
25% to 50%
More than 50%
I am unsure, the distribution varies greatly based on the project andlocation.
14.3%
14.3%
7.1%
7.1%
Product & Technology
Where do you see this technology's most significant impact? Pick all that apply.
A balance of making money with impact
Which of the following do you consider to be the most highly valued attribute among your end-users?
Easy to use
Decentralization
Speed and scalability
We don’t have end users
Verification of payments and impact
Inclusion
42.9%
14.3%
14.3%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
What do you consider the primary challenge or concern in your company/organization's adoption of this technology?
Insufficient Funding
Regulatory and Legal Constraints
Interoperability with Other Platforms, Systems, and Payment Service Providers
Ee are in full adoption already
Costly User Acquisition
Poor user experience
35.7%
Limited User Awareness and Understanding
27.4%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
The challenge is in the sector where we operate - and there the issue is trust as blockchain's utility is perceived as speculative.
Vision & Growth
What would be the primary driver(s) for long-term growth?
Community Building
Communications and outreach
Business Development
Software development
NA
27.4%
27.4%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
Legal compliance and counseling
Tokenomics
Financial inclusion
Accelerators Network building for exponential growth
Investment funding
What do you consider the primary challenge or concern in your company/organization's adoption of this technology?
Yes, we are seeking funding in the range of 300,000 to 800,000
Yes, we are seeking funding in the range of 1.5 million to 3 million
Yes, we are seeking funding over 3 million
No, we are not currently seeking investment funding.
Yes, we are seeking funding over 1 million
50%
14.3%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
7.1%
Yes, we are seeking funding over 10 million
Yes, we are seeking funding in the range of 100,000 to 300,000.
If you are currently seeking investment funding, in which area(s) would you consider investing the funds?
1 Answer (7.1%)
Acknowledgement
We appreciate the support of the following organizations contributions: