As jatropha absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, it also qualifies for carbon credits. sustainable jatropha plantations enjoy a high carbon credit potential. Possibilities to gain and commercialize carbon credits with Jatropha plantations and related biodiesel & jet fuel production are based on various scenarios, including:
- Reforestation and rehabilitation of marginal and degraded land
- Carbon sequestration in the plantations of jatropha trees whose seeds are used for biofuel and biodiesel production
- Replacement of fossil fuel with biofuel
- Auxiliary renewable energy, in particular electric and thermal power generation from residual jatropha biomass and biogas (via anaerobic digestion of seed cake), replacing fossil fuels and coal
- Use of processed seed cake as an organic fertilizer to substitute nitrogen based fertilizer.