Karbon Ledger: Blockchain-Based Carbon Neutrality Protocol

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Vinay Devabhakthuni

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

6

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Karbon Ledger offers a protocol suite for realtime emissions tracking, carbon credit trading, and regulatory compliance, ensuring accuracy, transparency & accountability in carbon neutrality pursuits

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

No

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

License Statement for the Karbon Ledger Project

Our project, Karbon Ledger for the Cardano blockchain, is dedicated to open-source principles and community collaboration. To align with these values, we have chosen to release all project outputs under the Apache License 2.0. This license is well-recognized within the open-source community and provides both freedom and protection for contributors and users alike.

Under the Apache License 2.0, the following terms apply to all project outputs:

• License Grant: Users have the right to use, reproduce, prepare derivative works, publicly display, publicly perform, sublicense, and distribute the software and such derivative works in source or object form.

• Patent Grant: The license provides an express grant of patent rights from contributors to users, ensuring freedom from patent litigation over the contributions.

• Contribution: Contributions made to the project are accepted under the same license, without any additional terms or conditions.

• Protection: The license provides protections against claims of trademark infringement for reasonable use of the project's name or trademarks.

• No Warranty: The project is provided on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied, including, without limitation, any warranties or conditions of TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

The full license details and terms will be included in the LICENSE file in the root directory of our project repository, ensuring transparency and accessibility for all project participants.

By choosing the Apache License 2.0, we aim to foster an open and collaborative environment that encourages innovation, contribution, and the free use of software while providing an assurance of legal protection for all.

[METADATA] SDG rating

>> SDG SELECTION:

• SDG goals:
• Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

• SDG subgoals:
• Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries
• Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
• Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
• By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world
• By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development
• By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts
• Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems
• Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation

#proposertoolsdg

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

At Karbon Ledger, we recognize the complexities and inefficiencies in the current carbon market as we are involved with various environment protection NGOs that are working towards carbon neutrality. Our solution, the Karbon Ledger Protocol Suite, integrates blockchain technology, IoT devices, and AI/ML algorithms to provide a comprehensive and innovative approach to achieving carbon neutrality. Here’s how our solution addresses the problem with blockchain which is of relevance to our proposal.

Please note that this is a project with various scopes that also involves IoT, AI/ML developments that is ongoing on one end. Since our proposal here is focused on Smart Contract Development, we are sharing information regarding the blockchain aspect only. To read more about the whole project, visit the Project Overview here https://linktr.ee/karbonledger

User-Friendly Dashboard:

We have designed an intuitive dashboard to ensure the platform is accessible to both carbon market experts and newcomers. The dashboard provides a seamless user experience, allowing users to easily navigate and interact with the platform's features.

Comprehensive Smart Contracts:

Our suite of smart contracts automates and streamlines the entire carbon management process, reducing the potential for human error and increasing efficiency. The smart contracts we will develop include:

1. Carbon Emissions Tracking Contract: This contract records carbon emissions in real-time by interacting with IoT devices and sensors, ensuring accurate and timely data collection.
2. Carbon Credits Marketplace Contract: This contract facilitates the buying, selling, issuance, transfer, and redemption of carbon credits, ensuring their authenticity and preventing double-counting.
3. Carbon Offset Projects Registry Contract: This contract manages the registry of approved carbon offset projects, handling their registration, verification, validation, and tracking the emissions they reduce.
4. Energy Consumption Monitoring Contract: This contract records energy consumption in real-time, interacting with IoT devices and sensors to ensure accurate data collection.
5. Renewable Energy Integration Contract: This contract tracks and verifies renewable energy production and consumption, facilitating the trading of renewable energy in the marketplace.
6. Compliance Monitoring and Reporting Contract: This contract ensures entities comply with the protocol's rules and regulations and the ESG framework, providing transparent compliance monitoring and reporting.
7. Stakeholder Engagement Contract: This contract manages the engagement of various stakeholders, providing tools and resources for their participation in the protocol.

Future Enhancements and Work in-progress:

• Real-Time Data with IoT: We're leveraging IoT devices to monitor carbon emissions in real-time. This isn't just about collecting data, it's about gathering accurate and timely insights that can drive actionable decisions.

• AI/ML for Smarter Decisions: Our AI/ML algorithms analyze the vast amounts of data collected. This helps in optimizing strategies for carbon emission reduction and energy efficiency, ensuring that decisions are not just data-driven, but also smart and future-ready.

In essence, we're not just tackling the symptoms of the problem; we're addressing the root causes. By bringing in transparency, accuracy, and efficiency, we're transforming the way the carbon market operates, making it more reliable and effective in the fight against climate change.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

The Karbon Ledger Protocol Suite is designed to deliver significant positive impacts on the wider Cardano community by driving environmental sustainability, enhancing transparency, and showcasing the capabilities of blockchain technology in addressing real-world issues.

Value to the Cardano Community:

1. Environmental Sustainability: By providing a comprehensive solution for achieving carbon neutrality, Karbon Ledger supports Cardano's commitment to sustainability. Our protocol helps organizations reduce their carbon footprint, contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts.
2. Enhanced Transparency and Trust: The integration of blockchain technology ensures transparent and tamper-proof transactions related to carbon emissions and credits. This builds trust among stakeholders, showcasing the reliability and security of Cardano’s blockchain infrastructure.
3. Showcasing Cardano’s Capabilities: The successful implementation of the Karbon Ledger Protocol Suite will highlight Cardano's potential in creating impactful solutions using blockchain, IoT, and AI/ML technologies. This can attract more developers and projects to the Cardano ecosystem.
4. Community Engagement and Education: By engaging various stakeholders, including governments, industries, organizations, and communities, Karbon Ledger fosters collaboration and awareness about blockchain technology's role in promoting sustainability.

Measuring Impact

Given that we will be developing an MVP by the end of this project, our impact metrics will focus on the initial deployment and readiness of the solution for further adoption and scaling.

Quantitative Metrics:

1.MVP Deployment:

• Smart Contracts Developed: Number of smart contracts developed and deployed as part of the MVP.
• Dashboard Features Implemented: Number of features implemented in the dashboard for both admin and users.

2.Initial User Engagement:

• Pilot Participants: Number of organizations and users participating in the pilot phase.
• Carbon Emissions Data Collected: Amount of carbon emissions data collected and recorded during the MVP phase.

Qualitative Metrics:

1.User Feedback:

• Usability and Satisfaction: Collect feedback from pilot participants regarding the usability and satisfaction with the platform. This can include surveys and interviews to gather detailed insights.
• Feature Requests and Improvements: Identify common feature requests and areas for improvement based on user feedback.

2.Stakeholder Engagement:

• Stakeholder Meetings: Number of meetings and workshops held with stakeholders to gather feedback and foster collaboration.
• Community Awareness: Measure the increase in awareness and understanding of the Karbon Ledger Protocol Suite among the Cardano community and potential users through outreach efforts.

3.Technical Validation:

• System Performance: Assess the performance and reliability of the MVP, including data accuracy, transaction processing times, and system stability.
• Security Audits: Conduct security audits of the smart contracts and platform to ensure robustness and address any vulnerabilities.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

1. Reports and Publications: We will publish regular reports detailing the development progress, achievements, and feedback received during the MVP phase. These reports will be shared with the Cardano community through various channels, including the Project Catalyst platform, Cardano forums, and social media.
2. Workshops and Webinars: We will organize workshops and webinars to educate the community about the MVP, its features, and how to participate in the pilot phase. These events will also provide a platform for stakeholders to share their experiences and insights.
3. Open-Source Contributions: The MVP’s smart contracts and dashboard will be made open-source, allowing the Cardano developer community to review, contribute to, and build upon our work.
4. Collaborations and Partnerships: We will actively seek collaborations with other projects within the Cardano ecosystem to explore synergies and expand the reach and impact of our protocol.

By focusing on these metrics, we aim to ensure that the MVP of the Karbon Ledger Protocol Suite is robust, user-friendly, and ready for further adoption and scaling, setting the foundation for broader impact in the future.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Capability to Deliver the Karbon Ledger Project

Our journey with the Harithakanthi program, in association with TREES, has been a profound learning experience. Planting 2 million trees and being on track for 2 million more by end of 2024, we've gained invaluable insights into environmental projects' challenges, especially in auditing and maintaining transparency. This experience has been pivotal in shaping our approach to the Karbon Ledger project.

Why We're Best Suited:

• Proven Track Record: Our successful ongoing commitment to the Harithakanthi program demonstrates our ability to manage large-scale environmental projects. We understand the nuances and complexities involved in such initiatives.

• Understanding of Challenges: Working closely with TREES has given us a firsthand understanding of the challenges in auditing environmental projects and the gaps in transparency in the carbon market. This knowledge is crucial in developing a solution like Karbon Ledger.

• Integrated Technology Approach: Recognizing the limitations of existing systems, we've committed to an integrated technology approach, incorporating IoT, AI/ML, and blockchain. This not only makes our approach more robust but also future-proof.

Partnership Synergy:

• TREES (Execution Partner): Their experience in environmental protection activities adds immense value, ensuring that our project is grounded in practical environmental conservation strategies.

• Konma (Technology Partner): We bring expertise in integrating complex systems for optimal functionality.

• Cardano (Blockchain Partner): Utilizing the Cardano blockchain ensures that our project is built on a secure, scalable, and sustainable platform.

• Blue Brett (Compliance and Management Partner): Their role in ensuring compliance and proper management is crucial for maintaining transparency and accountability.

Trust and Accountability Measures:

• Regular Audits and Reports: We'll conduct regular audits and provide transparent reports on our progress and fund usage. This will include detailed accounting of all expenditures and milestones achieved.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Regular updates and open forums for stakeholder engagement will ensure that we remain accountable to our community and partners.
• Transparent Fund Management: We will implement strict fund management protocols, with oversight from Blue Brett, to ensure that every ADA allocated is used responsibly and effectively.
• Performance Metrics Tracking: We'll continuously monitor and report on performance metrics, such as the number of trees planted, carbon credits generated, and API usage. This will not only demonstrate our progress but also keep us accountable to our goals.
• Adaptive Project Management: Recognizing the dynamic nature of such a project, we'll employ an adaptive project management approach, allowing us to adjust our strategies as needed while keeping our stakeholders informed.

In conclusion, our experience, combined with a strong partnership network and a commitment to transparency and accountability, makes us uniquely positioned to deliver the Karbon Ledger project successfully. We understand the challenges and have the capabilities to address them effectively, ensuring high levels of trust and accountability in our endeavor.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Project Initiation and Requirements Gathering (Month 1)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Project kickoff meeting with the development team and stakeholders.
• Detailed project plan outlining tasks, timelines, and responsibilities.
• Requirements gathering sessions to finalize the specifications for smart contracts and dashboard features.
• Initial design documents and wireframes for the dashboard.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Approval of the project plan by all stakeholders.
• Finalized requirements document for smart contracts and dashboard.
• Approved wireframes and initial design documents.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Meeting minutes and attendance records from the kickoff meeting.
• Signed-off project plan and requirements document.
• Approved wireframes and design documents.

D: Team Involved: 3 Haskell devs, 1 Full stack dev, overseen by the Project Manager.

Development of Core Smart Contracts (2 Months)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Development of the following smart contracts:
• Carbon Emissions Tracking Contract.
• Carbon Credits Marketplace Contract.
• Carbon Offset Projects Registry Contract.
• Energy Consumption Monitoring Contract.
• Renewable Energy Integration Contract.
• Compliance Monitoring and Reporting Contract.
• Stakeholder Engagement Contract.
• Initial testing and debugging of smart contracts.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Successful deployment of core smart contracts on a testnet.
• Passing initial unit tests and integration tests.
• Code review and approval by the development team.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Testnet deployment records of smart contracts.
• Test reports showing results of unit and integration tests.
• Code review documents.

D: Team Involved: 2 Haskell devs and Project Manager.

Development of Dashboard Frontend and Backend (2 months)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Development of the dashboard frontend with user and admin interfaces.
• Integration of the frontend with backend services and smart contracts.
• Implementation of key dashboard features, including real-time data visualization and user account management.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Fully functional dashboard with user and admin interfaces.
• Successful integration of frontend and backend components.
• Passing usability tests and initial user feedback.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Screenshots and video demonstrations of the dashboard functionalities.
• Test reports from usability tests.
• User feedback summaries.

D: Team Involved: 1 Full stack dev and Marketing Lead for user interface design and feedback.

Comprehensive Testing and Quality Assurance (1 month)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Comprehensive testing of smart contracts and dashboard, including:
• Functional testing
• Security audits
• Performance testing
• Bug fixing and optimization based on test results.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Passing results from all testing phases.
• Approval from security auditors.
• Finalized and optimized smart contracts and dashboard.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Test reports from functional, security, and performance tests.
• Security audit reports.
• Documentation of bug fixes and optimizations.

Project Close-out and MVP Launch (End of Month 6)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Final deployment of the MVP on the mainnet.
• Comprehensive project close-out report.
• Project close-out video demonstrating the MVP functionalities and summarizing the project journey.
• Presentation and handover of the MVP to stakeholders and pilot participants.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Successful deployment of the MVP on the mainnet.
• Approval of the project close-out report by stakeholders.
• Positive feedback from pilot participants.
• Project close-out video submitted and approved.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Deployment records on the mainnet.
• Signed project close-out report.
• Recorded project close-out video.
• Feedback summaries from pilot participants.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Technology Partner - Konma Labz

Sangeet Muralidhar

Vinay Devabhakthuni

Advitha Ashok

Nikhil Batra

Web3 Development Partner - Metalamp

Policy, Regulations and Compliances Partner - Blue Brett Consultants LLP

Utpal Nath

Mukesh Singh

Plantation Partner - Trust for Restoring Environment and Empowering the Society (TREES)

Sree Kumar Mayandi

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Budget Breakdown for Karbon Ledger MVP Development

Total Funding Requested: 300,000 ADA

1.Smart Contract Development: 120,000 ADA

• Development of Smart Contracts (7 total): 100,000 ADA
• Carbon Emissions Tracking Contract
• Carbon Credits Marketplace Contract
• Carbon Offset Projects Registry Contract
• Energy Consumption Monitoring Contract
• Renewable Energy Integration Contract
• Compliance Monitoring and Reporting Contract
• Stakeholder Engagement Contract
• Testing and Debugging: 20,000 ADA
• Unit and integration testing
• Security audits

2.Dashboard Development: 90,000 ADA

• Frontend Development: 40,000 ADA
• User and admin interfaces
• Real-time data visualization
• User account management
• Backend Development: 30,000 ADA
• Integration with smart contracts
• Data management and storage
• Testing and Quality Assurance: 20,000 ADA
• Functional testing
• Usability tests
• Bug fixing and optimization

3.Marketing and Community Engagement: 50,000 ADA

• Publicity and Promotion: 20,000 ADA
• Social media campaigns
• Online advertisements
• Content creation (blogs, videos, infographics)
• Workshops and Webinars: 15,000 ADA
• Organizing educational and engagement events
• Participant incentives
• Community Outreach and Support: 15,000 ADA
• Engagement with stakeholders and pilot participants
• Support services for early adopters

4.Project Management and Reporting: 30,000 ADA

• Project Management: 20,000 ADA
• Coordination and oversight of development activities
• Regular progress tracking and adjustments
• Documentation and Reporting: 10,000 ADA
• Creating detailed project documentation
• Regular progress reports to stakeholders
• Final project close-out report and video

Breakdown of Third-Party Products/Services:

• Code Auditing: 10,000 ADA
• Professional security audit services for smart contracts
• Legal and Compliance Services: 8,000 ADA
• Legal consultation to ensure regulatory compliance
• Software Licenses: 5,000 ADA
• Necessary software tools and licenses for development
• Accounting Services: 7,000 ADA
• Professional accounting services for financial management

Summary

• Smart Contract Development: 120,000 ADA
• Dashboard Development: 90,000 ADA
• Marketing and Community Engagement: 50,000 ADA
• Project Management and Reporting: 30,000 ADA
• Third-Party Products/Services: 30,000 ADA

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The Karbon Ledger MVP project is designed to deliver significant value for the Cardano ecosystem through efficient allocation of funds. Here’s how each element of our budget is justified:

Smart Contract Development: 120,000 ADA

• Development of Smart Contracts: 100,000 ADA
• Each contract development involves complex coding, rigorous testing, and deployment, requiring skilled blockchain developers. Based on the average blockchain developer's salary in India (approximately $60,000 annually), this cost is proportional and reasonable for the scope of work.
• Testing and Debugging: 20,000 ADA
• Follows industry best practices, emphasizing thorough testing to prevent costly post-deployment issues.

Dashboard Development: 90,000 ADA

• Frontend Development: 40,000 ADA
• Based on average salaries for skilled frontend developers in India, providing cost-efficiency without compromising quality.
• Backend Development: 30,000 ADA
• Reflects the typical rates for backend developers in India, ensuring robust integration with smart contracts.
• Testing and Quality Assurance: 20,000 ADA
• This allocation covers unit and integration testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), and a security audit. Ensuring the robustness and security of our platform is critical to gaining user trust and adoption. The costs are aligned with industry standards for comprehensive testing and auditing processes.

Marketing and Community Engagement: 50,000 ADA

• Publicity and Promotion: 20,000 ADA
• Necessary to maximize awareness and adoption of Karbon Ledger within the Cardano community.
• Workshops and Webinars: 15,000 ADA
• Engages the community through educational events, fostering broader support and understanding.
• Community Outreach and Support: 15,000 ADA
• Ensures effective engagement with stakeholders and pilot participants.

Project Management and Reporting: 30,000 ADA

• Project Management: 20,000 ADA
• Follows industry standards for effective project oversight, ensuring smooth execution and timely delivery.
• Documentation and Reporting: 10,000 ADA
• Necessary for creating detailed project documentation and regular progress reports, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Third-Party Products/Services: 30,000 ADA

• Code Auditing: 10,000 ADA
• Professional security audits to maintain the integrity and trustworthiness of the protocol.
• Legal and Compliance Services: 8,000 ADA
• Ensures regulatory compliance, crucial for the protocol’s credibility and success.
• Software Licenses: 5,000 ADA
• Covers necessary software tools and licenses for development.
• Accounting Services: 7,000 ADA
• Professional accounting services for financial management, ensuring proper fund allocation.

By efficiently using the allocated funds, the Karbon Ledger MVP project delivers a high-impact, cost-effective solution, ensuring significant value for the Cardano ecosystem through robust, scalable, and user-friendly technology.