[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

CO₂Tracking in the Fuel & Fleet Card Industry w/ UTA Edenred

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

95000

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

10

[Proposal Summary] Translation Information

Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated

No

Original Language

en

[Proposal Summary] Problem Statement

What is the problem you want to solve?

Transport is a top CO₂ polluter. With new EU rules (CSRD), fuel & fleet card providers must report emissions—but today they lack simple, trusted systems to do so. A solution will be mission critical.

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

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

No

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

No dependencies

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

License and Additional Information

Yes. All non-sensitive research outputs, compliance mappings, and component evaluations will be shared openly with the Cardano community. We plan to publish under the Apache 2.0 license, which allows broad reuse, modification, and integration while ensuring attribution. Sensitive elements tied to partner IP (e.g., MVP blueprint details) will remain protected but findings will maximize open ecosystem value.

[Theme Selection] Theme

Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal.

Sustainability

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously funded (whether by you or others).

No direct precedent exists for CO₂ tracking in the fuel/fleet card sector with enterprise integration. This proposal is uniquely innovative by combining:

• EU regulatory urgency (CSRD),
• enterprise collaboration with a leading key player, like UTA Edenred, and
• technical alignment and scaling with Cardano (Hydra, Reeve, EMURGO),
• It offers a clear MVP pathway, audacious yet grounded in real-world impact.

Transport, producing 25% of EU GHG emissions from oil use, makes urgent the need for reliable tracking and reduction.

Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.

The MVP blueprint will demonstrate

• how fuel card transactions (fuel type, volume, biofuel ratio, time, location) can be aggregated, verified, and linked to carbon credits on Cardano
• using Hydra, Reeve, and EMURGO tokenization.
• It provides a reference architecture,
  • compliance mapping to CSRD/EU ETS, and
  • integration design with ERP/POS systems.
• Public outputs (whitepaper, Town Halls, GitHub) will be shared, with detailed pilot scope reserved for partners and Catalyst.

Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.

Success will be measured by

1. delivery of a compliance-ready MVP blueprint and reference architecture,
2. documented evaluation of at least 3 Cardano components (Hydra, Reeve, EMURGO tokenization),
3. confirmed engagement of an enterprise partner (like UTA Edenred) with workshop validation,
4. public dissemination via 2 Town Halls + whitepaper, and
5. defined on-chain activity model showing monthly emissions balance commits, tokenized CO₂ credits, and settlement flows for future pilots.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Solution Overview: A new blueprint for a whole industry - monetizing new opportunities while driving sustainability

We propose a research-first initiative to evaluate how Cardano infrastructure can power enterprise-ready carbon tracking in the European fuel sector. Specifically, this project will:

1. Map industry requirements for CO₂ reporting and carbon credit integration.
2. Designing a conceptual architecture for how a blockchain-based emissions accounting and carbon credit management system should operate.
3. Evaluate Cardano infrastructure — including Hydra (scalability), Reeve (enterprise reporting), and EMURGO tokenization frameworks (digital assets) — against those requirements.
4. Engage with UTA Edenred, one of Europe’s leading fleet card providers, to ground findings in real-world operations and proof product-market-fit (PMF).

Goal: Produce a compliance-informed MVP blueprint that sets the stage for a follow-on pilot proposal. The outcome will be a validated reference architecture and a clear path to implementation, equipping fuel and fleet card providers with the tools to deliver effortless, trustworthy carbon transparency using Cardano.

Solution Details: How to accelerate change and drive adoption

The problem today is that fuel-sector enterprises, from fleet operators to large fuel retailers, face increasing compliance requirements, but their data on fuel consumption and emissions remains fragmented across fleet cards, fuel station systems, and internal ERPs. No reliable framework exists to aggregate, verify, and store these emissions records immutably, nor to link them seamlessly to verified carbon offset or monetization mechanisms.

How our solution addresses this

We tackle this gap by following a clear, structured process designed to ensure both technical feasibility and regulatory fit:

1. Mapping existing industry systems

We start by examining real-world system landscapes — identifying available data sources and APIs, understanding integration constraints, and capturing how fuel-type, volume, biofuel ratio, time, and location are recorded today. This builds a precise view of the “as‑is” environment in which any solution must operate.

2. Designing a conceptual architecture

Using our industry and compliance expertise, we define a high-level architecture for how a blockchain-based emissions accounting and carbon credit management system should operate. This plan specifies core functions and outlines the required interfaces between existing fuel-sector systems and a Cardano-based backend, like:

• Data ingestion and aggregation.
• Auditing and compliance reporting.
• Token creation for carbon credits.
• Settlement and offset mechanisms.

3. Evaluating Cardano infrastructure against these needs

We then systematically test candidate Cardano components against our architecture requirements. This includes:

• Hydra for low-latency, high-throughput transaction processing when system use scales.
• Reeve as an enterprise-grade reporting backbone for capturing and verifying energy and emissions data.
• EMURGO tokenization frameworks to issue, manage, and settle carbon tokens in compliance-oriented workflows.
• Cardano L1 capabilities (native tokens, deterministic fees, batching) to provide immutable monthly balance commits and auditable records.
• Each component will be assessed for technical fit, integration complexity, performance, and compliance readiness.

4. Stakeholder Validation: Leveraging partnerships to validate findings

To ensure our results are industry-relevant, we will hold workshops and interviews with our pilot partner UTA  Edenred and some of its key customers — a pilot partner whose fuel card network spans 87,000+ acceptance points in about 40 European countries with more than 2m+ fueling cards — and with other logistics and fuel retail partners in our network. These sessions will test our assumptions against operational realities and compliance expectations.

Our direct lines to the Cardano Foundation and EMURGO allow us to clarify capabilities, avoid re-inventing solutions, and align designs with current best practices in the ecosystem.

Deliverables:

By project completion, we will deliver:

• Validated Reference Architecture: mapping Cardano components to fuel-sector requirements.
• Compliance Analysis: regulatory alignment with CSRD, EU ETS, and related directives.
• Compliance-informed MVP Blueprint: functional scope, technical requirements, KPIs, performance goals, a test plan for a possible follow-on PoC/MVP funding round, all in a pilot readiness package.
• Public Outputs: community-friendly reports, a white paper, and presentations at Catalyst Town Halls.

By deep-diving into the real technical and regulatory environment, our approach removes uncertainty, ensures that Cardano’s most suitable infrastructure is engaged, and sets the stage for rapid and confident next‑step development — directly answering the problem of fragmented CO₂ record-keeping and absent integration between emissions data and carbon markets, preparing a successful adoption of Cardano.

Outcome: A compliance-informed MVP blueprint to propel the fuel & fleet card industry by driving emission transparency!

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

Impact on the Cardano Community: Leveraging real-world impact to Cardano Community

This project positions Cardano as a trusted backbone for enterprise sustainability in one of the most compliance-driven industries: mobility and fuel. By validating Cardano’s infrastructure against real-world requirements, we bring clarity to the entire community about where the ecosystem is ready today and where improvements are needed.

Concretely, the impact for the Cardano community is fourfold:

1. Proof of Enterprise Readiness

• Demonstrates how Cardano can handle millions of high-frequency fuel and charging transactions.
• Tests Hydra, Reeve, and EMURGO tokenization under real industry conditions, producing evidence-based assessments that any Catalyst builder can reuse.

2. Recurring On-Chain Activity

Future MVP deployments would generate:

• Millions of daily fuel and charging transactions need to get tracked.
• Monthly emissions balance commits.
• Carbon token issuance and redemption.
• Peer-to-peer settlement of carbon credits.

All these activities map directly onto Cardano’s strengths: deterministic fees, native tokens, and efficient batching.

3. Reusabel Open Outputs: Reference architecture, compliance mapping, and integration patterns will be published openly (whitepaper, GitHub, Town Halls).

• These outputs become building blocks for other Catalyst projects, dApp teams, SPOs, and sustainability initiatives.

4. Ecosystem Visibility and Reputation

• By engaging a partner like UTA Edenred, Cardano gains immediate exposure in a high-volume, real-world market.
• This strengthens Cardano’s reputation not only with regulators and enterprises, but also with developers, who see that the blockchain they are building on is becoming relevant in global industries.

In short: this project is not just research for one MVP. It is a community multiplier, showing how Cardano can be deployed in high-value, regulated sectors, while providing reusable assets that help future Catalyst proposals succeed faster.

It's about bringing Cardano blockchain into the real-world to every fuel card!

[Your Project and Solution] Capabilities & 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?

Capabilities and Feasibility: Bringing in-depth Cardano tech & industry-leading experience together with proven track-record

Delivering this research project with trust and accountability is grounded in our team’s proven track record, transparent processes, and strong ecosystem integration.

Capability for Trustworthy, Accountable Delivery

Our approach is anchored in:

• Domain Experience: Project leads have successfully managed complex, grant-funded blockchain initiatives with large NGOs, corporates, and within the Cardano ecosystem itself. Previous high-profile engagements—such as advising on WWF’s Non-Fungible Animals, leading SmartFutures with UNDP, and steering large-scale blockchain pilots in industrial contexts—illustrate our ability to handle sensitive, multi-stakeholder projects where transparency and credibility are paramount.
• Proven track record: Projects leads have a proven track record of implementing innovations into large organization and to drive adoption in complex environments while being experienced with regulations .
• Direct Ecosystem Access: We maintain working relationships with the Cardano Foundation, EMURGO, and active ventures within the community. This allows early identification of technical risks, rapid resolution of knowledge gaps, and adoption of best practices directly from the source.
• Structured Management and Documentation: Agile milestone planning, regular progress documentation, and internal peer reviews make the project process and deliverables both traceable and auditable. Any pivotal decisions are logged and, where appropriate, validated with partner organizations or external consultants, ensuring that no major issue or design choice is made in isolation.
• Strong industry experience and network: Exhaustive experience and recognition in introducing and driving new market solutions. Broad connections to industry leaders and customers for first-hand input, review and validation.

Mechanisms for Validating Feasibility

• Iterative, Evidence-Based Assessment: Rather than relying on assumptions, each Cardano infrastructure component is evaluated through a mix of hands-on technical review, direct consultation with infrastructure teams, and, if possible, targeted prototyping. For every technical and compliance requirement identified, the team will crosscheck documentation, seek confirmation from Cardano Foundation/EMURGO contacts, or, in the case of complex interfaces, run test integrations or mock data flows.
• Industry Stakeholder Validation: Our direct channel to UTA Edenred—as well as other logistics and fuel sector partners—ensures that the needs assessment, data mapping, and system evaluation are tested against real-world requirements, not just theoretical models. Workshops and interviews are employed to collect feedback and confirm that proposed architectural patterns are fit for enterprise adoption and compliance.
• Agile Adaptation and External Audit: The agile methodology allows rapid adjustment if new issues arise during research. Where uncertainty persists (for example, regarding regulatory interpretations or cryptographic protocols), the team is prepared to engage independent domain experts for external review, ensuring that all findings are robust and defensible.

As our partner UTA Edenred is also driving innovative security solutions in the industry, Cardano blockchain seems to be a perfect match.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Requirements & Compliance Baseline

Milestone Outputs

• Overview of existing industry systems (fuel cards, POS, ERP) and relevant data interfaces
• Summary of applicable regulatory frameworks (CSRD, EU ETS, etc.) for CO₂ tracking in the fuel sector
• Initial requirement set for technical and compliance‑related functions

Acceptance Criteria

• Document identifying main data sources and potential integration pathways
• List of key compliance requirements, validated with at least one industry stakeholder
• Internal agreement that these findings are a suitable basis for the architecture phase

Evidence of Completion

• PDF report of results (systems & interfaces, regulatory frameworks, etc.)
• Meeting notes and transcripts from relevant stakeholder interviews as foundation

Delivery Month

3

Cost

28500

Progress

30 %

Milestone Title

Cardano Infrastructure Evaluation

Milestone Outputs

• Overview of relevant Cardano components (Hydra, Reeve, EMURGO’s Tokenization Tooling, and other potential tools)
• Initial assessment of suitability of these components for the defined requirements
• Broad comparison of capabilities, opportunities, and limitations

Acceptance Criteria

• Summary document describing key Cardano components and their potential roles in the target system
• Confirmation that the evaluation reflects the current state of Cardano’s development and features in the pipeline

Evidence of Completion

• Presentation or document with component analysis
• Summary of feedback rounds with Cardano Foundation / EMURGO

Delivery Month

5

Cost

19000

Progress

50 %

Milestone Title

Draft Reference Architecture

Milestone Outputs

• High‑level architecture draft showing main elements, interfaces, data flows, and integration points
• Notes on how evaluated Cardano components fit into the design
• Initial outline of risks, open questions, and areas for optimization

Acceptance Criteria

• Visual representation (diagram/schematic) of the proposed architecture
• Accompanying description of the role of each Cardano component
• Internal confirmation that the draft is a valid basis for MVP blueprint work

Evidence of Completion

• Architecture diagram file (e.g., Miro, Lucidchart)
• Supporting document explaining the design choices

Delivery Month

8

Cost

19000

Progress

70 %

Milestone Title

MVP Blueprint & Pilot Readiness

Milestone Outputs

• High‑level MVP blueprint with proposed scope, priorities, and testing approach
• Overview of potential pilot environments (e.g. UTA  Edenred and other market partners)
• Recommendations for next steps and preparation for a follow‑up Catalyst proposal

Acceptance Criteria

• Document linking MVP scope, KPI concepts, and testing plan coherently
• Internal validation that the materials are suitable for pilot planning and funding request
• Reference from market partner (e.g. UTA Edenred) for degree of PMF (product-market-fit)

Evidence of Completion

• Consolidated PDF document (MVP Blueprint Outline)
• Presentation/briefing material for engagement with potential pilot partners

Delivery Month

10

Cost

28500

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Budget & Costs: Effective asset & resource allocation to maximize output

Current ADA/USD Rate (as of August 13, 2025):

1 ADA ≈ $0.85 USD

Total budget: 95,000 ₳ADA ≈ $80,750 USD*

(*calculated with 1 ADA = $0.85; actual USD value will fluctuate.)

Exchange rate risk management

All budget calculations incorporate a precautionary buffer for a possible 20% decline in ADA price over the funding and execution period. If the ADA price holds steady or appreciates, any additional funds will be productively reinvested—such as upgrading resources, stakeholder engagement, or delivering more comprehensive research results.

Real‑world reference

The importance of such risk management is illustrated by our previous experience with the Catalyst‑funded SmartFutures event (UNDP, Berlin): initially planned as a digital‑only workshop, the event was significantly upgraded to a two‑day in‑person summit at the prestigious W3.hub venue—with catering, livestream, and funded travel/accommodation for UNDP staff—thanks to a favorable ADA price movement. Over 100 participants joined on‑site, providing outstanding ecosystem value that would not have been possible without agile budget management.

High-level cost allocation:

• Project management & coordination: 20,000 ₳ADA

Planning, milestone tracking, stakeholder alignment, and documentation.

• Technical research & Cardano infrastructure evaluation: 32,000 ₳ADA

Deep-diving Hydra, Reeve, EMURGO tokenization, API/data mapping; includes contracting blockchain specialists as needed.

• Compliance & assurance analysis: 10,000 ₳ADA

Regulatory review (CSRD, EU ETS), advisory contributions, assurance and evidence chain planning.

• Stakeholder & ecosystem workshops: 13,000 ₳ADA

Sessions and feedback with UTA  Edenred, other partners, Cardano Foundation, EMURGO.

• Reference architecture design: 12,000 ₳ADA

Visual & written architecture drafts, integration mapping, security/privacy concepts.

• MVP blueprint & pilot readiness package: 6,000 ₳ADA

MVP scope, KPI outline, partner onboarding, and pilot preparation docs.

• Administration & reporting: 2,000 ₳ADA

Budget control, deliverable formatting, submission management.

Note:

Specialist contractors and external experts (e.g., cryptography, compliance) will be engaged within these categories as justified by research needs. The split is deliberately high-level and flexible, so resources can shift based on what the research reveals.

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?

Value for Money: Bringing blockchain potential & strong market needs together

This proposal represents outstanding value for the Cardano ecosystem through rigorous risk mitigation, strategic use of funds, and demonstrable impact - based the broad industry and project experience of the strong project team:

• Risk-aware budgeting: By planning for a possible 20% market downturn, we ensure the project will be fully deliverable regardless of ADA price fluctuations. If the asset holds or appreciates, any budget surplus will directly fund upgrades or expanded work, delivering even more value. Our experience proves we can leverage such flexibility for the benefit of all stakeholders.
• Maximized ecosystem leverage: Every ADA will be invested in thoroughly evaluating—rather than re-inventing—Cardano’s strongest infrastructure features (Hydra, tokenization, reporting) in a high-potential real-world use case. This avoids waste, stimulates re-use, and creates open ecosystem assets.
• Enterprise and network effect: The project lays the groundwork for Cardano adoption in one of the largest compliance-driven markets (fuel sector with digital payments), with a strong pilot channel (UTA Edenred, 87,000+ locations in 40 countries with more than 2m+ fuel cards) and direct links to logistics and retail partners. A successful pilot could drastically multiply on-chain transactions and prove Cardano’s backbone utility for high-volume enterprise needs.
• Open results, responsible stewardship: All non‑sensitive research outputs (integration findings, component mapping, compliance guidelines) will be shared with Cardano builders, lowering the barrier to future IDEAS and PROJECTS in sustainability and RWA use cases.

This approach not only secures project delivery under volatile crypto conditions but aligns Cardano’s strategic vision with real, trusted market entry—and does so with transparency, accountability, and maximal benefit to the ecosystem.

It's a win-win situation for all parties involved as we need to push towards greener solutions - especially in the emission heavy transportation industry!

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes