VCS Methodology

VM0044

METHODOLOGY FOR BIOCHAR

UTILIZATION IN SOIL AND NON-SOIL
APPLICATIONS

Version 1.1

5 July 2023

Sectoral Scope 13
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Version 1.0 of this methodology was developed by Biochar Works, Delaney Forestry Services,
Forliance and South Pole. The lead authors are Hannes Etter (South Pole), Andrea Vera (Forliance),
Chetan Aggarwal (South Pole), Matt Delaney (Delaney Forestry Services), and Simon Manley
(Biochar Works).

Version 1.1 of this methodology includes errata and clarifications. It was developed by Verra.

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CONTENTS
1 SOURCES .............................................................................................................. 4

2 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODOLOGY ............................................ 5

3 DEFINITIONS ......................................................................................................... 6

4 APPLICABILITY CONDITIONS .............................................................................. 8

5 PROJECT BOUNDARY ........................................................................................ 14

6 BASELINE SCENARIO ......................................................................................... 17

7 ADDITIONALITY .................................................................................................. 17

8 QUANTIFICATION OF GHG EMISSION REDUCTIONS AND REMOVALS .......... 18

8.1 Baseline Emissions ............................................................................................................. 19
8.2 Project Emissions ............................................................................................................... 19
8.3 Leakage............................................................................................................................. 29
8.4 Reversal Risk Mitigation .................................................................................................... 30
8.5 Net GHG Emission Reductions and Removals .............................................................. 32

9 MONITORING .................................................................................................... 33
9.1 Data and Parameters Available at Validation ............................................................ 33
9.2 Data and Parameters Monitored ................................................................................... 36
9.3 Description of the Monitoring Plan ................................................................................. 41

10 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................... 43

APPENDIX 1: ACTIVITY METHOD ................................................................................. 47

Positive List ..................................................................................................................................... 47

APPENDIX 2: DEMONSTRATION OF FEEDSTOCK AS WASTE BIOMASS ...................... 51

DOCUMENT HISTORY ................................................................................................... 53

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1 SOURCES
This methodology is based on the following sources:

• CDM methodology AMS-III.L: Avoidance of methane production from biomass decay

through controlled pyrolysis, v2.0
• CDM methodology Small-Scale Methodology AMS-III.E: Avoidance of methane
production from decay of biomass through controlled combustion, gasification or
mechanical/thermal treatment, v17.0
• CDM methodology AMS-III.BG: Emission reduction through sustainable charcoal
production and consumption, v3.0
• CDM Executive Board report EB23 Annex 18: Definition of Renewable Biomass
The following has also informed the development of the methodology:

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2019) Appendix 4: Method for

Estimating the Change in Mineral Soil Organic Carbon Stocks from Biochar
Amendments: Basis for Future Methodological Development
• International Biochar Initiative (IBI) Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing
Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil, v2.1
• European Biochar Certificate (EBC) Guidelines for a Sustainable Production of Biochar,
v10.1
This methodology uses the latest versions of the following CDM tools:

• CDM Tool 03: Tool to calculate project or leakage CO2 emissions from fossil fuel
combustion, v03.0
• CDM Tool 05: Baseline, project and/or leakage emissions from electricity consumption
and monitoring of electricity generation, v03.0
• CDM Tool 09: Tool to determine the baseline efficiency of thermal or electric energy
generation systems, v03.0
• CDM Tool 12: Project and leakage emissions from transportation of freight, v01.1.0
• CDM Tool 16: Project and leakage emissions from biomass, v04.0

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2 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE

METHODOLOGY
Additionality and Crediting Method

Additionality Activity Method

Crediting Baseline Project Method

This globally applicable methodology provides criteria and procedures for the quantification of
GHG benefits following the adoption of improved waste handling and disposal (WHD) of waste
biomass. The project activity consists of three parts: 1) sourcing waste biomass, 2) producing
biochar, and 3) utilizing biochar in soil or non-soil application.

The project activity must install and operate a new (greenfield) biochar production facility(ies)
where GHG benefits are credited only for the biochar that is utilized in the eligible soil and non-
soil applications. The start date of the project is defined as the first instance of biochar
production.

The baseline scenario is the continuation of pre-project WHD where the waste biomass would
either be left to decay or be combusted for purposes other than energy. This methodology
applies the most conservative and operational approach by not considering emission
reductions from changing the WHD practices at the sourcing stage. Thereby, the default net
GHG emissions in the baseline scenario at the sourcing stage are considered zero (the most
conservative assumption).

This methodology uses a standardized approach for the demonstration of additionality,

following an activity method with the processing of waste biomass to biochar as the basis for a
positive list. This approach stipulates that the total mass of waste biomass converted to biochar
amounts to five percent or less of the total mass of waste biomass available worldwide.

The methodology employs a comprehensive monitoring and accounting framework that

captures the GHG impacts in the three important stages of a biochar value chain: sourcing,
production, and application (i.e., the use of biochar in soil or non-soil applications). The
methodology also includes a section to address permanence of biochar, including decay rate
and reversal risk from natural and non-natural risks (see Section 8.4).

Monitoring must be conducted for both the baseline and project scenarios. For emissions
associated with the production stage, calculations are based on one or more monitored biochar
production variables according to the parameters described (e.g., production temperature and
biochar material properties), or use default values detailed in the methodology, according to

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the type of production technology. Eligible projects must document and prove the final
application of biochar (see Section 9).

3 DEFINITIONS
In addition to the definitions set out in the VCS Program Definitions document, the following
definitions apply to this methodology.

Anaerobic decomposition
The microbial breakdown of organic material in the absence of oxygen. Organic compounds
emitted during anaerobic decomposition are mainly methane (CH 4) and lesser amounts of
carbon dioxide (CO 2). Examples of anaerobic decomposition include marine mud sediments
and manure ponds.

Biochar
A solid and stabilized carbon material formed by the thermochemical processing of biomass in
an oxygen-limited environment. These processes can be classified as either pyrolysis (in which
oxidants are excluded), or gasification (in which oxidant concentrations are low enough to
generate syngas). Both processes are considered interchangeably in this document. Biochar is
considered a carbon sink when its soil applications (e.g., soil amendment on agricultural lands)
or non-soil applications (e.g., cement, asphalt) can prove carbon-persistent over time.

Biogenic
A material that is produced by or originates from a living organism.

Chain of custody
The process by which inputs and outputs and associated information are transferred, monitored
and controlled as they move through each step in the relevant supply chain. For biochar
projects, the chain of custody refers to tracking and documentation from the sourcing stage
(i.e., waste biomass) until the application stage (i.e., biochar use in soil or non-soil
applications).

Dry weight basis

A measure of how much water is in a solid, expressed as the weight of water as a percentage of
the completely dry solid. Procedures to determine biochar on a dry weight basis are outlined in
International Biochar Initiative (IBI) Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing
Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil (hereinafter referred to as the IBI Biochar Testing
Guidelines)1 which uses ASTM D1762-84 Standard Test Method for Chemical Analysis of Wood
Charcoal to determine dry weight of biochar products (see Table 1, page 13 of the IBI Biochar
Testing Guidelines). In cases where moisture content of feedstocks is required, ASTM D4442-
20 Standard Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Based

1 Available at https://biochar-international.org/standard-certification-training/biochar-standards/.

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Materials can be used as a guide. The method involves drying samples to a constant weight in
a ventilated oven at 102 to 105 °C.
Feedstocks
The materials undergoing thermochemical processes to create biochar. Feedstock materials
must be biogenic to qualify under this methodology and must comply with the applicability
conditions (see Section 4).

Freight
The goods and materials (including waste materials) that are transported. Freight
transportation under this methodology refers to trips for transporting waste biomass or biochar
products. Transportation shall be grouped together as that using the same vehicle class and
transporting freight between the same origin and destination.

Gasification
A technological process that converts carbon-based raw material into fuel gas. Gasification
occurs in a gasifier, generally at temperatures greater than700 °C.

High-carbon fly ash from biomass

A by-product of biomass-based energy production, whereby the by-product is usually reinjected
into the process. High-carbon fly ash (HCFA) from biomass is typically produced using boiler
systems at lumber and other forestry-related facilities. The main components are ash and
carbonized material.
Biomass ash, and fractions thereof, include bottom ash and fly ash. Some of these fractions
may display physicochemical properties that are similar to biochar materials, including high
organic carbon content fractions termed “high-carbon fly ash” (adapted from IBI Biochar Testing
Guidelines Section 5.8, page 21).

High technology production facility

High technology production facilities are those that meet all of the following conditions based
on the European Biochar Certificate – EBC Guidelines for Sustainable Production of Biochar2
(hereinafter referred to as the EBC Production Guidelines): (a) the pyrolytic greenhouse gases
produced during pyrolysis must be recovered or combusted—greenhouse gases are not allowed
to escape into the atmosphere; (b) at least 70 percent of the heat energy produced by pyrolysis
must be used3 (taking into consideration heat transfer inefficiencies) to ensure that energy is
recovered as well as biochar;4 (c) pollution controls such as a thermal oxidizer or other
emissions controls are present that meet local, national or international emission thresholds;5
and (d) production temperature is measured and reported. If any of these conditions are not
met, the facility is categorized as a low technology production facility.

2 Available at https://www.european-biochar.org/en/ct/2-EBC-guidelines-documents.
3 The 70% value is adapted from the EBC Production Guidelines.
4 As an example, proof of this energy utilization requirement shall be demonstrated by calculating the lower heating

value of the feedstock and the amount of biochar produced (adapted from the EBC Production Guidelines).
5 In case of overlapping standards, the strictest regulations shall be fulfilled.

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Long-lived biochar products

The carbon storage from non-soil biochar application where the project proponent can prove
that the average life is the average number of years a product is in use, with evidence from
peer-reviewed literature. Project proponent must demonstrate that the biochar in non-soil
applications is not combusted at the end of life of the product in which the biochar is utilized.

Low technology production facility

Low technology production facilities are those that do not meet all the conditions given under
the definition of high technology production facility.

Non-soil applications
Use of biochar for other applications besides soil, for example as an additive in long-lasting
products like concrete and asphalt or any other application with demonstrated long-term use
and persistence. Biochar must be at least 50 percent carbon by dry weight basis to be used for
non-soil applications (e.g., some activated carbon, due to excessive fossil fuel input, results in a
loss of more than 50 percent of the original biochar carbon material and therefore would not be
eligible).6

Organic carbon content

The amount of organic carbon permanently stored in the biochar as a mass proportion (in
percent) based on the biochar dry weight.

Overstocked forest
The condition of having so many stems for a species and size that severe competition for
growth resources has reduced growth, stressed trees, and put them at risk of insect, disease,
or wildfire mortality (Helms, 1998).

Pyrolysis
The thermochemical decomposition of biogenic material or compounds under inert conditions
in an oxygen-deficient environment (oxidants are excluded).

Waste biomass
The biomass, by-products, residues, and waste streams from agriculture, forestry and related
industries, recycling economy, animal manure, and all others listed in Table 1. Any biomass
residues meeting the feedstock requirements included in this methodology are eligible for
biochar production and must comply with any required sustainable feedstock criteria (see
Section 4).

4 APPLICABILITY CONDITIONS
The project activity must install and operate a new (greenfield) biochar production facility(ies)
where the project proponent must 1) source waste biomass, 2) produce biochar and 3) ensure

6Charcoal use is excluded. The rationale for the 50 percent requirement is to avoid erasing the sequestration benefits
of biochar during upgrading the material to other non-soil uses.

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the biochar is utilized in soil or non-soil application. GHG benefits are credited only for the
biochar that is utilized in the eligible soil and non-soil applications.

Further, the project activities must meet the following conditions.

Technological scope

1) The methodology is applicable when biochar is produced from eligible waste biomass
through a thermochemical process such as pyrolysis, gasification, and biomass boilers7
and the biochar is subsequently applied to an end-use (soil or non-soil applications).
Torrefaction and hydrothermal carbonization as processes of biochar production are
excluded8 from this methodology.

2) The methodology is applicable to projects using either low or high technology production
facilities to produce biochar, as per the definitions of each provided in Section 3 of this
methodology.

3) The biochar producers must have a health and safety program to protect workers from
airborne pollutants and other hazards.

Eligible feedstocks and production

4) The feedstock used to produce biochar must meet all following conditions to be eligible:
a) Feedstock must be purely biogenic waste biomass and not purpose-grown,

b) Feedstock must have been otherwise left to decay or combusted for purposes
other than energy production. Additional guidance on how to demonstrate fate of
waste biomass in the absence of the project activity is provided in Appendix 2,

c) Feedstock must not have been imported from other countries9, and

d) Feedstock must meet the sustainability conditions provided in Table 1. This table
is not an exhaustive list of waste biomass examples.

Table 1 describes the categories of feedstock sourcing, the sustainability criteria that must be
met for each feedstock source, and a non-exhaustive list of examples of feedstocks eligible
under this methodology.

Table 1: List of Eligible Feedstocks for Biochar Production

Feedstock Sourcing Sustainability Criteria Waste Biomass Examples

Categories (Not Exhaustive)

7 For the purpose of this methodology, the terms pyrolysis, gasification, and biomass boilers are used interchangeably.
8 Both processes are excluded because they do not generate solid products that are significantly more persistent in soil
than the original feedstock (Woolf et al., 2021).
9 The methodology discourages transportation of waste biomass over long distances, especially among countries and

between continents.

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Agricultural waste a) Where project proponents are using a) Tree, vine, and shrub
biomass agricultural waste biomass directly pruning
from fields and not from a
centralized biomass-processing b) Harvest residues such
operation (e.g., food processing as straw, leaves, stalks,
facilities), project proponents must husk, pomace, kernels
provide documentation that the c) Fruit and vegetable
project activity is not leading to a residues
decline in soil carbon stocks or a
reduction in crop productivity, or
that in the baseline agriculture
waste biomass was burned without
energy production (e.g., open
burning of stubble).

b) In the absence of documentation,

feedstock removal is limited to no
more than 50 percent of total
residues to protect against soil
degradation (Andrew, 2006;
Battaglia et al., 2020).

Food processing a) Residues must be from food a) Material from washing,

residues processing facilities. cleaning, peeling,
centrifugation, and
b) Production of residues per output of separation processes
the facility must not have increased
to be used specifically for the b) Expired food residues
purpose of production of biochar.
c) Residues from
processing in the food
industry (e.g., coffee,
tea, cocoa, tobacco)

Forestry and other a) Wood-based feedstock sources a) Off-cuts, sawdust, and

wood processing coming from forest (as opposed to other material
by-products of mill processing) must produced as a by-
prove that biomass comes from product of forest
sustainable sources and does not management or
lead to deforestation or degradation. harvesting operations
Examples of proof of sustainable
use include sustainable b) Any by-product from
management plans approved by a forest-based industries
relevant state or regional authority, such as wood pallets
forestry certification such as the and wood waste11
Programme for the Endorsement of c) Thinnings generated
Forest Certification (PEFC) or Forest from forest wildfire fuel
Stewardship Council (FSC), or reduction activities or

11More details on biomass waste products can be found in Tripathi, N., Hills, C. D., Singh, R. S., & Atkinson, C J. (2019).
Biomass waste utilization in low-carbon products: Harnessing a major potential resource. npj Climate and Atmospheric
Science, 2, 35. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-019-0093-5

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meeting the requirements of areas designated by

renewable biomass as defined by state, provincial, or
the CDM (EB23 Annex 18).10 federal authorities as
overstocked
b) When processed timber is used as
feedstock for soil applications, it d) Material from pruning
must not, for health and safety or thinning of woody
reasons, contain any paint residues, vegetation (not
solvents or other contaminants including merchantable
including any potentially toxic timber) such as shade
impurities (EBC, 2022; Hedley et al., trees, orchards,
2020). windbreaks, stream
buffers, silvopasture, or
invasive removal on
rangeland

e) Diseased trees felled

during plantation or
woodland management

f) Burned woody biomass

g) Wastepaper and
cardboards

Recycling economy a) Feedstocks must comply with a) Urban/rural green

relevant thresholds for heavy metals cuttings, non-
and other contaminants as outlined hazardous municipal
in the latest version of the material green waste
standards or guidelines relevant for
the project context (i.e., IBI Biochar b) Biosolids from
Testing Guidelines or EBC wastewater treatment
Production Guidelines). The biomass c) Paper mill sludge
is the non-fossil fraction of industrial
or municipal waste (CDM EB23
Annex 18).

Aquaculture plants a) Waste must be by-products of a) Seaweed, algae waste

aquaculture. products, aquatic
invasive species
b) Project proponents must be (Plantae kingdom only)
demonstrated that waste invasive
species such as water hyacinth
(Eichhornia crassipes) were not
purposely introduced in order to
qualify as feedstock for biochar
production.

10 Available at https://cdm.unfccc.int/EB/023/eb23_repan18.pdf

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Animal manure a) Waste must be by-products of a) Waste from swine,

animal husbandry cattle, horse, and
poultry farms

High-carbon fly ash a) HCFA must be no more than 5 a) By-products of

from biomass percent of the annual waste cogeneration facilities
biomass throughput from the
bioenergy facility.

b) Project proponents must also

provide information that an
“affirmative” technology12 was used
to extract biochar prior to complete
combustion of the waste biomass
stream.

c) Project proponents must further

demonstrate that the biomass
facilities did not use fossil fuel
sources to replace the loss of
biomass caloric value when material
was diverted to the biochar project.

d) The final material meets the IBI

Biochar Testing Guidelines 13.

5) Biochar made from a single or mixed eligible feedstock must comply with the latest
version of the IBI Biochar Testing Guidelines or the EBC Production Guidelines.

6) The waste biomass used as feedstock to produce biochar and the resulting biochar to
be utilized in soil or non-soil applications may be transported via ships, boats, and
vehicles other than road transportation up to a distance of 200 km. However, it must
only be transported by vehicles (i.e., road transportation) for distances more than 200
km as defined under CDM Tool 12: Project and leakage emissions from transportation
of freight.

7) Mineral additives such as lime, rock minerals, and ash may comprise up to 10 percent
of the mass when added. If the addition exceeds 10 percent on a dry weight basis, the
biochar producer must present laboratory tests indicating that the final product meets
IBI Biochar Testing Guidelines or EBC Production Guidelines thresholds for organic and
inorganic contaminants.

8) Other evidence that may be used to demonstrate compliance with waste biomass
sustainability criterion are biomass certification schemes such as the Roundtable on

12 Affirmative technologies refer to diversion of “re-injection” HCFA that is removed from the combustion stream (for
biochar harvesting purposes) instead of allowing complete combustion of the biomass feedstocks during a second pass
through the boiler.
13 Section 5.8 of the IBI Biochar Standard v2.1. Available at https://biochar-international.org/wp-

content/uploads/2020/06/IBI_Biochar_Standards_V2.1_Final2.pdf

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Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), International Sustainability and Carbon Certification

(ISCC) or any other certification scheme approved and/or endorsed by a relevant
legislative body or international body such as the European Union, 14 CORSIA,15 and
national/state governments.

Eligible biochar end-use application criteria

9) Biochar is eligible to be utilized and accounted for under the methodology if it is being
utilized within one year of its production. Biochar is subject to natural decay and the
permanence of biochar is calculated for a period of 100 years. To adhere to the decay
factor established for 100 years and prevent any decay before application, biochar must
be utilized in soil or non-soil applications within the first year of its production.

10) Biochar is eligible to be used as a soil amendment on land other than wetlands. Eligible
land types include cropland, grassland, vegetated urban soils, and forest. Biochar is
eligible to be applied either to the soil surface or subsurface. For surface application,
the biochar must be mixed with other substrates such as compost, manure or digestate
from anaerobic digestion. For subsurface application, the biochar may be applied either
as a unique soil amendment or mixed with other substrates. For any soil application,
the biochar must:

a) comply with biochar material standards to avoid the risk of transferring unwanted
heavy metals and organic contaminants to soil. Project proponents must meet
the IBI Biochar Testing Guidelines or EBC Production Guidelines,16 or relevant
national regulations for avoiding soil contamination.

b) have a hydrogen to organic carbon molar ratio (H:Corg) of less than or equal to 0.7.

11) Biochar is eligible to be used in non-soil applications including but not limited to
cement, asphalt, and any other applications where long-term storage of the biochar is
possible. Only biochar produced in high technology production facilities, as defined
under the methodology, is eligible to be used in non-soil applications.

12) Project proponents must demonstrate that biochar and/or final products are long-lived
via credible evidence such as laboratory results, peer reviewed research papers or any
other third party-evaluated product assessment, such as decay rate analysis, as
applicable. The information provided must include the lifetime of the product in which
biochar is stored long term. The resultant product must be compliant with

14 Annex IX Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the European Council of 11 December 2018
on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. In particular, Annex IV sets out the minimum
requirements for certifying waste and residues, grouped in the following categories (Annex IX): food-feed processing
residues and waste; agricultural/forestry residues and waste; landscape care biomass; animal residues and waste;
wastewater and derivatives; fats, oil and greases; others.
15 The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) under its Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for

International Aviation (CORSIA) approves certification schemes for eligible biofuels produced from eligible biomass, to
be used in international aviation as part of emissions reduction targets of the international aviation industry. Waste
biomass may be certified using the schemes approved by CORSIA.
16 Available at https://www.european-biochar.org/media/doc/2/version_en_9_4.pdf

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national/international product quality standards/specifications as applicable (e.g., the

American Concrete Institute Standards in the US).

This methodology is not applicable under the following conditions:

13) The methodology must not be applied if biochar is used for energy purposes, burned as
a fuel (e.g., as a substitute for charcoal or coke) or used in other soil or non-soil
applications where biochar cannot be demonstrated to be a long-lived and persistent
carbon sink.

14) Biochar must not be used in applications in which substantial amounts of the biochar
are oxidized (e.g., burned or used as a reduction agent in steel production, processed
into activated carbon, or other uses that are fossil fuel-intensive).

15) Non-soil applications are ineligible under the methodology if there is a loss of more
than 50 percent of the carbon measured by dry weight basis (e.g., some activated
carbon, due to excessive fossil fuel input, results in a loss of more than 50 percent of
the original biochar carbon material and therefore would not be eligible).

5 PROJECT BOUNDARY
The spatial extent of the project boundary (Figure 1) encompasses the geographic area where:

1) Initial waste biomass is sourced;

2) Waste biomass is treated through eligible thermochemical technologies for the purpose
of biochar production; and
3) The final application of biochar in soils or non-soils occurs.

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Waste Biomass
Production Stage Application Stage
Sourcing Stage

Agricultural waste High technology Soil application.

biomass. production
facility. Non-soil

Feedstock pre-treatment
Food processing applications.
residues. Low technology

Biochar processing
production
Forestry and other facility.
wood processing.

Recycling economy.

Aquaculture plants.

Animal manure.

High-carbon fly ash.

Figure 1: Project Boundary

The greenhouse gases included in or excluded from the project boundary are shown in Table 2
below.

Table 2: GHG Sources Included In or Excluded From the Project Boundary

Source Gas Included? Justification/Explanation

CO2 No Excluded. Waste biomass is
Feedstock production considered renewable per
CH4 No
eligibility conditions.
N 2O No
CO2 Yes Only CO2 considered as per
CDM Tool 12.
Baseline

Feedstock transportation CH4 No Expected to be de minimis if

N 2O No distance between sourcing site
and production facility is less
than 200 kilometers.
CO2 No Possible emissions from decay
CH4 No or combustion of biomass in

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N 2O No the absence of project activity

Combustion, aerobic and are excluded. Baseline
anaerobic decomposition emissions are assumed to be
of feedstocks
zero (a conservative
assumption).
CO2 No Purpose-grown crops are
CH4 No ineligible, hence there are no
emissions from feedstock
N 2O No
production. Waste biomass is
Feedstock production also considered renewable per
the CDM renewable biomass
definition (EB23 Annex 18) and
applicability conditions (see
Table 1).
CO2 No High technology systems
Pyrolysis, or CH4 No require pollution controls
thermochemical (including avoidance of
conversion (high N 2O No
greenhouse gas emissions) and
technology systems)
compliance with the technology
criteria.
CO2 No Low technology systems are
Pyrolysis, or
thermochemical CH4 Yes provided a default emission
conversion (low value based on published
N 2O No
technology systems) literature (Cornelissen et al.,
Project

2016).

Electricity and/or fossil CO2 Yes Included. Emissions associated

fuels consumed during directly with project activity.
eligible thermochemical
CH4 No Excluded as per provisions of
process
N 2O No CDM Tool 03 and Tool 05.

CO2 Yes Only CO2 considered as per

CDM Tool 12.

Biochar transportation CH4 No Expected to be de minimis if

N 2O No distance between production
facility and end-use destination
is less than 200 kilometers.
CO2 Yes Included. Emissions associated
Pre-treatment of
directly with project activity.
feedstocks (e.g., grinding,
drying) CH4 No Excluded as per provisions of
N 2O No CDM Tool 03 and Tool 05.
Biochar application (e.g., CO2 Yes Included. Emissions associated
preparation of biochar for directly with project activity.
final use)
CH4 No

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N 2O No Excluded as per provisions of

CDM Tool 03 and Tool 05.

6 BASELINE SCENARIO
The baseline scenario is that in which, in the absence of the project activity, waste biomass is
either left to decay or combusted for purposes other than energy production. The project
proponent must provide credible evidence of the baseline scenario of waste biomass.
Examples of evidence include but are not limited to annual government records, records of a
waste disposal facility, and records of a production facility. In the absence of records, the
project proponent must utilize data from existing literature, existing survey data of similar
industries in the same region, or conduct its own survey.

7 ADDITIONALITY
The methodology uses a standardized approach for the demonstration of additionality,
specifically an activity method. Activity methods pre-determine additionality for given classes of
project activities using a positive list. Projects that implement activities on the positive list are
automatically deemed as additional and do not otherwise need to demonstrate additionality.
The processing of waste biomass to biochar is the basis for a positive list in this methodology.

Project proponents applying this methodology must determine additionality using the procedure
below.

Step 1: Regulatory Surplus

The project proponent must demonstrate regulatory surplus in accordance with the rules and
requirements regarding regulatory surplus set out in the latest version of the VCS Standard and
VCS Methodology Requirements.

Step 2: Positive List

The applicability conditions of this methodology represent the positive list. The project must
demonstrate that it meets all of the applicability conditions, and in so doing, it is deemed to
comply with the positive list. The positive list was established using the activity penetration
option (Option A in the VCS Methodology Requirements). The justification for the activity
method and step-by-step explanation is provided in Appendix 1.

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8 QUANTIFICATION OF GHG EMISSION

REDUCTIONS AND REMOVALS
Biochar is made from a diverse array of feedstocks and may be produced with a wide variety of
technologies. Life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of biochar indicate that the climate benefits
of biochar material are highly variable and dependent on many factors. For example, if fossil
fuel energy (diesel, gasoline, propane) is used to chip, grind, transport, and dry feedstocks then
the GHG benefits of biochar to soil and non-soil applications may be reduced or eliminated
(Hedley et al., 2020; Puettmann et al., 2017; Sahoo et al., 2021).
Biochar production systems vary substantially by technology type. During production, there are
mix of emissions including carbon dioxide (CO 2), methane (CH4) and soot. Carbon in biomass is
biogenic, and part of the active natural carbon cycle. Because the CO 2 released during biochar
production has been recently captured from the atmosphere and stored in plant tissues
through photosynthesis, biomass is generally considered carbon neutral. However, emissions of
CH4 and soot have a more powerful global warming potential than CO 2 (Amonette et al 2021).
Eligible high technology production systems involve some form of post-pyrolysis combustion
process such as funneling gases through an afterburner (to control CO 2 and CH4 production),
re-injection of gases into the pyrolysis system to increase efficiency of production, and/or using
the excess heat produced to generate electricity or other useful purposes. (See Section 3 for
complete definitions and eligibility conditions for high technology and low technology production
facilities).
Eligible low technology production systems lack the same controls as high-technology
production systems; however, project proponents must be able to demonstrate that the low-
technology system used is minimizing CH 4 and soot production. Examples of low-technology
systems that meet the criteria for minimizing CH 4 and soot are those that harness the natural
convection processes to create a combustion zone above the pyrolysis zone, as excess
methane may be produced, particularly at start-up and shut-down, that may counter the long-
term sequestration benefits of biochar.
Biochar GHG benefits may increase if the syngas or bio-oil produced are used to replace fossil
fuel-based (mainly coal) energy sources. However, the reverse may be true if diesel fuel or
propane are used during production or processing of feedstocks. Furthermore, the methodology
eliminates the use of technologies and feedstocks that lead to health and safety issues,
unwanted environmental emissions, and contamination risk in soils.
Biochar materials are most used in soil applications; however, non-soil applications are
increasingly common, for example as an asphalt additive or addition to concrete mixes. The
total GHG benefits of biochar are therefore influenced both by the type of feedstocks or the
technology used, and the potential fossil fuel inputs used to create the final product. GHG
inputs may include fossil fuel or electrical energy used for waste biomass pre-treatment or
biochar post-treatment.

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Given the diversity and complexity of biochar GHG accounting, existing biochar certification
programs like the European Biochar Certificate (EBC) and this methodology limit feedstock
types, the technologies that may be used to produce biochar, and the type of products that
qualify.

The methodology provides a complete, robust, and credible approach to quantifying net GHG
removals resulting from biochar management, including at the stages of waste biomass
sourcing, production, and application of biochar. Baseline and project emissions consider the
flux of CH4, N2O, and CO2 and are defined and quantified in terms of tonnes of CO 2e per year.

To facilitate the future inclusion of further feedstocks and other biochar end-uses, the GHG
quantification is set up in a framework, which allows a broad approach to estimate the climate
impacts of the biochar value chain. This framework includes:

• The sourcing stage, where waste biomass is sourced and collected,

• The production stage, during which waste biomass is prepared (if applicable) and
thermochemically converted into biochar and,
• The application stage, where the biochar is applied to a long term end-use (in soils or
eligible non-soil applications).

8.1 Baseline Emissions

8.1.1 Sourcing Stage

The baseline scenario is the situation where, in the absence of the project activity, waste
biomass would have been left to decay or would have been combusted for purposes other than
energy production in the year that the biochar is made within the project boundary.

Following the CDM EB23 Annex 18: Definition of renewable biomass, waste biomass may be
classified as renewable. As the decay rate pathway of diverse feedstock types varies by region
and time, the methodology defines the default net baseline emission avoidance as zero
following a conservative scenario (BESS,y).

8.1.2 Production Stage

In the baseline scenario at production stage, no biochar is produced for the purpose of the
project activity and therefore no GHG removals or related emissions are considered.

8.1.3 Application Stage

Emissions at application stage refer to GHG emissions associated with the post-production and
end-use application of biochar. In the baseline scenario at application stage, since no biochar
was produced, no GHG removals or related emissions are considered.

8.2 Project Emissions

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8.2.1 Sourcing Stage

At the sourcing stage, the methodology relies on the collection of waste biomass. Therefore, the
emissions at the sourcing stage (PESS,y) are set to zero.

8.2.2 Production Stage

In the project scenario, the net GHG balance depends on the organic carbon content at the
biochar production stage. Equation 1 summarizes the carbon balance at the production stage
by comparing the difference between the stabilized carbon content in the biochar and the
resulting project emissions from feedstock pre-treatment (where applicable) and from
conversion of waste biomass into biochar. The former includes emissions from energy
consumption of drying and pre-processing feedstocks, and the latter includes other relevant
emissions from the production facilities. The project emission removals during production at
the biochar facility are as follows:

44
𝐸𝑅𝑃𝑆,𝑦 = ∑ ((∑ 𝐶𝐶𝑡,𝑘,𝑦 × ) − (∑ 𝑃𝐸𝑃𝑆,𝑡,𝑝,𝑦 )) (1)
12
𝑡 𝑘 𝑝

Where:
ERPS,y = GHG emissions removals at production stage in year y (tCO2e)
CCt,k,y = Organic carbon content on a dry weight basis for biochar type t used for
application type k in year y (tonnes)
PEPS,t,p,y = Project emissions at production stage for production of biochar type t at
production facility p in year y (tCO2e)
44
12
= Coefficient to convert organic carbon to tCO 2e

As production facilities and technologies differ in terms of potential to measure and report
relevant parameters, the methodology provides two options (low and high technology) to derive
the respective parameters based on characteristics of the technology used in the production
facility. Further, as the biochar produced may be utilized differently in the project activity (both
in soil and in non-soil applications), different decay rates must be considered for the respective
mass of biochar utilized amongst different applications.

8.2.2.1 Option P.1: High Technology Production Facility

High technology production facilities are defined in Section 3. If any of the conditions in this
definition are not met, the production facility must be categorized immediately as a low
technology production facility.

For all high technology facilities, organic carbon content of the produced biochar must be
derived from material analysis conducted via established laboratory and standardized methods.
Project proponents must determine organic carbon content on a dry weight basis using

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methods described in the latest version of the IBI Biochar Testing Guidelines or EBC Production
Guidelines or other internationally/nationally accredited standards.

Step 1: Estimate organic carbon content (CCt,k,y) of biochar for high technology facilities

The total organic carbon content of the produced biochar is the foundation for the GHG
calculation. The value is derived from the mass of biochar, its respective organic carbon
content, and the decay rate of organic carbon in the biochar taken over a period of 100 years
(100-year permanence value which is based on 100-year global warming potential horizon).

The methodology provides default decay values when the biochar is used in soil applications. If
the project proponent produces biochar for eligible non-soil applications, the project proponent
must either provide a permanence value or utilize conservative default factors (i.e., the soil
decay value).

The total organic carbon content on a dry weight basis attributable to the project activity is
estimated as follows:

𝐶𝐶𝑡,𝑘,𝑦 = ∑(𝑀𝑡,𝑘,𝑝,𝑦 × 𝐹𝐶𝑝,𝑡,𝑝 × 𝑃𝑅𝑑𝑒,𝑘 ) (2)

𝑝

Where:
CCt,k,y = Organic carbon content on a dry weight basis for biochar type t used for
application type k in year y (tonnes). Biochar type is based on the feedstock used
to produce the biochar.
Mt,k,p,y = Mass on a dry weight basis of biochar type t for application type k produced at the
production facility p in year y (tonnes)
FCp,t,p = Organic carbon content of biochar type t produced in production facility p per
tonne of biochar, taken on a dry weight basis (percent). For high technology
production facilities, this is defined through laboratory material analysis of biochar.
PRde,k = Permanence adjustment factor due to decay of biochar per application type k
(dimensionless)

PRde,k must be established for soil or non-soil end-use as follows:

• Soil end-use: See Table 3 which draws from IPCC (2019) and Woolf et al. (2021) and
uses production temperatures Tprod to determine conservative defaults for PRde,k.

Table 3: Default Values for PR de,k from Table 4AP.2 of IPCC (2019)

Temperature Default Value

High temperature pyrolysis and gasification 0.89

(> 600 °C)

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Medium temperature pyrolysis (450 – 600 0.80

°C)

Low temperature (350 – 450 °C) 0.65

• Non-soil end-use: Where no scientifically robust information on the permanence of

organic carbon content is available, project proponents must use the soil application
decay factor in Table 3. Project proponents may propose any other value for PRde,k as a
substitute for the values in Table 3. The project proponent must provide at least one
form of evidence of the proposed value of PRde,k following the requirements for default
factors established in Section 2.5.2 of the latest version of the VCS Methodology
Requirements. Where the scientific literature proposes different values of PRde,k the
project proponent must adopt the lower value to ensure conservativeness.
Documentation and information such as white papers or non-peer reviewed research
papers are not considered as credible and appropriate forms of evidence.

Step 2: Estimate project emissions (PEPS,p,y) for high technology production facilities

Emissions under the project scenario are determined using the following equation:

∑𝑡 ∑𝑘 𝑀𝑡,𝑘,𝑝,𝑦 (3)
𝑃𝐸𝑃𝑆,𝑝,𝑦 = (𝑃𝐸𝐷,𝑝,𝑦 + 𝑃𝐸𝑃,𝑝,𝑦 + 𝑃𝐸𝐶,𝑝,𝑦 ) ×
𝑀𝑝,𝑦

Where:

PEPS,p,y = Project emissions at the production stage for production of biochar at production
facility p in year y (tCO2e)
PED,p,y = Emissions associated with the pre-treatment of waste biomass at production
facility p in year y (tCO2e)
PEP,p,y = Emissions associated with the conversion of waste biomass into biochar at
production facility p in year y (tCO2e)
PEC,p,y = Emissions due to the utilization of auxiliary energy for the purpose of pyrolysis at
production facility p in year y (tCO2e)
Mt,k,p,y = Mass on a dry weight basis of biochar type t for application type k produced at
production facility p in year y (tonnes)
Mp,y = Total mass of biochar on a dry weight basis produced in production facility p in
year y (tonnes)

Determining PED,p,y: Emissions associated with pre-treatment of feedstock at production facility

p in year y

Energy consumption for any necessary pre-treatment of waste biomass must be accounted for.
This may include feedstock preparation (e.g., feedstock agglomeration, homogenization,
pelletizing) either inside the production facility or in field preparation, drying of wet waste

22
 VM0044, v1.1

biomass, or other processes. If the energy source is renewable, PED,p,y must be zero. Otherwise,
it must be calculated as follows:

𝑃𝐸𝐷,𝑝,𝑦 = 𝑃𝐸𝐷𝐸,𝑝,𝑦 + 𝑃𝐸𝐷𝐹,𝑝,𝑦 (4)

Where:
PED,p,y = Emissions associated with pre-treatment of feedstock at production facility p in
year y (tCO2e)
PEDE,p,y = Emissions associated with use of grid-connected electricity utilized for pre-
treatment of waste biomass at production facility p in year y (tCO2e). PEDE,p,y must
be calculated as per the provisions of CDM Tool 05: Baseline, project and/or
leakage emissions from electricity consumption and monitoring of electricity
generation.17
PEDF,p,y = Emissions associated with combustion of fossil fuels utilized for pre-treatment of
waste biomass at production facility p in year y (tCO2e). PEDF,p,y must be calculated
as per the provisions of CDM Tool 03: Tool to calculate project or leakage CO 2
emissions from fossil fuel combustion.18

Determining PEP,p,y: Emissions associated with the thermochemical process at production facility
p in year y for high technology facilities

Processing of waste biomass refers to the pyrolysis process, which fixes the organic carbon
from biomass into permanent carbon in biochar. The value PEP,p,y accounts for the emissions
from pyrolysis, which are emitted into the atmosphere. In alignment with eligibility requirements
for high technology production facilities, net emissions are considered de minimis.19 Therefore,

𝑃𝐸𝑃,𝑝,𝑦 = 0

Where:

PEP,p,y = Emissions associated with the conversion of waste biomass into biochar at
production facility p in year y (tCO2e)

Determining PEC,p,y: Emissions due to the utilization of auxiliary energy for the purpose of pyrolysis
at production facility p in year y

When external energy is required to initiate and maintain the pyrolysis reactor, it must be
accounted as project emissions. If the source of auxiliary energy is renewable, PEC,p,y must be
zero. Otherwise, it must be calculated as follows:

17
Available at https://cdm.unfccc.int/methodologies/PAmethodologies/tools/am-tool-05-v3.0.pdf
18 Available at https://cdm.unfccc.int/methodologies/PAmethodologies/tools/am-tool-03-v3.pdf
19 Following condition (a) of the definition of a high technology production facility, the ability to combust or recover

pyrolysis gases, thereby limiting the emissions of methane to the atmosphere.

23
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𝑃𝐸𝐶,𝑝,𝑦 = 𝑃𝐸𝐶𝐸,𝑝,𝑦 + 𝑃𝐸𝐶𝐹,𝑝,𝑦 (5)

Where:
PEC,p,y = Emissions due to the utilization of auxiliary energy for the purpose of pyrolysis at
production facility p in year y (tCO2e)
PECE,p,y = Emissions associated with use of grid-connected electricity utilized for starting the
reactor at production facility p in year y (tCO2e). PECE,p,y must be calculated as per
CDM Tool 05: Baseline, project and/or leakage emissions from electricity
consumption and monitoring of electricity generation.
PECF,p,y = Emissions associated with combustion of fossil fuels utilized for starting the reactor
at production facility p in year y (tCO2e). PECF,p,y must be calculated as per the
provisions of CDM Tool 03: Tool to calculate project or leakage CO 2 emissions from
fossil fuel combustion.

8.2.2.2 Option P.2: Low Technology Production Facility

Technologically less advanced production facilities usually have lower efficiency of converting
organic carbon and often lack emissions controls during the production process. However,
these also play an important role in carbon removal associated with production and use in
certain cases, e.g., smallholder and farm level settings. Low technology production facilities are
all production facilities that do not meet the conditions defined under high technology
production.

Step 1: Estimate organic carbon content (CCt,k,y) of biochar for low technology facilities

As with high technology settings, in low technology settings the total organic carbon content of
the produced biochar is the foundation of the GHG calculations. The value is derived from the
mass of biochar, its respective organic carbon content, and the decay rate of organic carbon in
the biochar taken over a period of 100 years (100-year permanence value).

For low technology production facilities, a conservative approach has been selected, related to
the organic carbon content of biochar (FCp), based on feedstock type and heating temperature
as provided in Table 4 which draws from IPCC Method for Estimating the Change in Mineral Soil
Organic Carbon Stocks from Biochar Amendments: Basis for Future Methodological
Development.20 In Equation 6, permanence (the fraction of carbon in the biochar remaining
after 100 years) is included.

𝐶𝐶𝑡,𝑘,𝑦 = ∑(𝑀𝑡,𝑘,𝑝,𝑦 × 𝐹𝐶𝑝,𝑡,𝑝 × 𝑃𝑅𝑑𝑒,𝑘 ) (6)

𝑝

Where:

20 Available at https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2019rf/pdf/4_Volume4/19R_V4_Ch02_Ap4_Biochar.pdf

24
 VM0044, v1.1

CCt,k,y = Organic carbon content on a dry weight basis for biochar type t used for
application type k in year y (tonnes). Biochar type is based on the feedstock used
to produce the biochar.
Mt,k,p,y = Mass on a dry weight basis of biochar type t for application type k produced at
production facility p in year y (tonnes)
FCp,t,p = Organic carbon content of biochar type t produced in production facility p per
tonne of biochar, taken on a dry weight basis (percent). For low technology
production facilities. this is determined through laboratory material analysis of
biochar where possible. Otherwise, values are obtained from Table 4 per type of
feedstock. Where feedstocks are mixed, the most conservative value of the
relevant feedstocks must be used.
PRde,k = Permanence adjustment factor due to decay of biochar to be defined for
application type k (dimensionless). Biochar is subject to natural decay rate when
used in soil applications such as in agriculture, forests, croplands, or grasslands.
Many low technology production facilities do not measure the temperature at
biochar production. A default value of 0.56 21 must be used where pyrolysis
temperature is unknown. This follows a conservative approach for carbon
permanence.

Determining FCp: Values for organic carbon content per tonne of biochar per production type

The organic carbon content must be determined in a qualified laboratory following IBI Biochar
Testing Guidelines or EBC Production Guidelines on the production of biochar. However, project
proponents using low technology production facilities may adopt values from IPCC (2019) for
different feedstocks and production types (Table 4). Further, project proponents may also refer
to other scientific literature such as Woolf et al. (2021).

Table 4: Values for Organic Carbon Content in Biochar from Table 4AP.1 of IPCC (2019)

Feedstock Production Process Values for FCp

Animal manure Pyrolysis 0.38

Gasification 0.09
Wood Pyrolysis 0.77
Gasification 0.52

Herbaceous (grasses, forbs, leaves; Pyrolysis 0.65

excluding rice husks and rice straw)
Gasification 0.28
Rice husks and rice straw Pyrolysis 0.49

Gasification 0.13

21 Value of 0.56 is used where the temperature of pyrolysis is not measured, recorded and reported. Default value ta ken
from Figure 4Ap.1(b) in IPCC (2019) Appendix 4: Method for Estimating the Change in Mineral Soil Organic Carbon
Stocks from Biochar Amendments: Basis for Future Methodological Development. Available at https://www.ipcc-
nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2019rf/pdf/4_Volume4/19R_V4_Ch02_Ap4_Biochar.pdf

25
 VM0044, v1.1

Nut shells, pits, and stones Pyrolysis 0.74

Gasification 0.40
Biosolids (paper sludge) Pyrolysis 0.35
Gasification 0.07

Step 2: Estimate project emissions PEPS,p,y for low technology production facilities

Emissions under the project scenario are determined using the following equation:

∑𝑡 ∑𝑘 𝑀𝑡,𝑘,𝑝,𝑦
𝑃𝐸𝑃𝑆,𝑝,𝑦 = (𝑃𝐸𝐷,𝑝,𝑦 + 𝑃𝐸𝑃,𝑝,𝑦 + 𝑃𝐸𝐶,𝑝,𝑦 ) × (7)
𝑀𝑝,𝑦

Where:

PEPS,p,y = Project emissions at the production stage at production facility p in year y (tCO2e)
PED,p,y = Emissions associated with the pre-treatment of waste biomass at production
facility p in year y (tCO2e)
PEP,p,y = Emissions associated with the conversion of waste biomass into biochar at
production facility p in year y (tCO2e)
PED,p,y = Emissions due to the utilization of auxiliary energy for the purpose of pyrolysis at
production facility p in year y (tCO2e)

Determining PED,p,y: Emissions associated with the pre-treatment of feedstock at production

facility p in year y for low technology facilities

Energy consumption for necessary pre-treatment of waste biomass must be accounted for. This
may include feedstock preparation (e.g., feedstock agglomeration, homogenization, pelletizing)
either inside the production facility or in field preparation, drying of wet biomass, or other
processes. If the energy source is renewable, PED,p,y must be zero. Otherwise, it must be
calculated as follows:

𝑃𝐸𝐷,𝑝,𝑦 = 𝑃𝐸𝐷𝐸,𝑝,𝑦 + 𝑃𝐸𝐷𝐹,𝑝,𝑦 (8)

Where:
PED,p,y = Emissions associated with pre-treatment of feedstock at production facility p in
year y (tCO2e)
PEDE,p,y = Emissions associated with grid-connected electricity utilized for pre-treatment of
waste biomass at production facility p in year y (tCO2e). 𝑃𝐸𝐷𝐸,𝑝,𝑦 must be calculated
as per the provisions of CDM Tool 05: Baseline, project and/or leakage emissions
from electricity consumption and monitoring of electricity generation.
PEDF,p,y = Emissions associated with combustion of fossil fuels utilized for pre-treatment of
waste biomass at production facility p in year y (tCO2e). 𝑃𝐸𝐷𝐹,𝑝,𝑦 must be calculated

26
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as per the provisions of CDM Tool 03: Tool to calculate project or leakage CO 2
emissions from fossil fuel combustion.

Determining PEP,p,y: Emissions associated with the thermochemical process at production facility
p in year y for low technology facilities

In the absence of direct emission measurements that can reliably measure and report project
emissions, data from peer-reviewed literature must be used in the following equation:

𝑃𝐸𝑃,𝑝,𝑦 = ∑ ∑(𝐹𝑒 × 𝐺𝑊𝑃𝐶𝐻4 × 𝑀𝑡,𝑘,𝑝,𝑦 ) (9)

𝑘 𝑡

Where:
PEP,p,y = Emissions associated with the conversion of waste biomass into biochar at
production facility p in year y (tCO2e)
Fe = Average methane emissions from producing one tonne of biochar in year y
(tCH4/tonne). Values from Table 3 in Cornelissen et al. (2016)22 may be used
based on the corresponding kiln type (i.e., low technology production facility type).
Where the kiln type is not listed a default average emission factor of 0.049 t
CH4/tonne may be conservatively used based on the value for traditional kilns
since simple low-cost technologies are known to emit higher levels of CH 4.23
Project proponent may propose more appropriate values based on scientific
studies, research papers or any other credible documentation and/or information
related to the utilized production technology.
GWPCH4 = Global warming potential of methane. Use value referenced in the latest version of
the VCS Standard
Mt,k,p,y = Mass on a dry weight basis of biochar type t and application type k produced at
production facility p in year y (tonnes)

Determining PEC,p,y: Emissions due to the utilization of auxiliary energy for the purpose of pyrolysis

When external energy is required to initiate and maintain the pyrolysis reactor, it must be
accounted as project emissions. If the source of auxiliary energy is renewable, PEC,p,y must be
zero. Otherwise, it must be calculated as follows:

𝑃𝐸𝐶,𝑝,𝑦 = 𝑃𝐸𝐶𝐸,𝑝,𝑦 + 𝑃𝐸𝐶𝐹,𝑝,𝑦 (10)

Where:

22 Cornelissen, G., Pandit, N. R., Taylor, P., Pandit, B. H., Sparrevik, M., & Schmidt, H. P. (2016). Emissions and char
quality of flame curtain “kon tiki” kilns for farmer-scale charcoal/biochar production. PLoS ONE, 11(5), e0154617.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154617
23 Woolf, D., Lehmann, J., Ogle, S., Kishimoto-Mo, A. W., McConkey, B., & Baldock, J. (2021). Greenhouse gas inventory

model for biochar additions to soil. Environmental Science & Technology, 55(21), 14795-14805.

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PEC,p,y = Emissions due to the utilization of auxiliary energy for the purpose of pyrolysis at
production facility p in year y (tCO2e)
PECE,p,y = Emissions associated with use of grid-connected electricity utilized for starting the
reactor at production facility p in year y (tCO 2e). PECE,p,y must be calculated as per
CDM Tool 05: Baseline, project and/or leakage emissions from electricity
consumption and monitoring of electricity generation.
PECF,p,y = Emissions associated with combustion of fossil fuels utilized for starting the reactor
at production facility p in year y (tCO2e). PECF,p,y must be calculated as per the
provisions of CDM Tool 03: Tool to calculate project or leakage CO 2 emissions from
fossil fuel combustion.

8.2.3 Application Stage

In the project scenario, emissions associated with processing and utilizing biochar after its
production will have a potential impact on the overall emission removal potential. Equation 11
determines the GHG emissions at the application stage.

(11)
𝑃𝐸𝐴𝑆,𝑦 = ∑ ∑(𝐸𝑃,𝑡,𝑘,𝑦 + 𝐸𝑎𝑝,𝑡,𝑘,𝑦 )
𝑘 𝑡

Where:

PEAS,y = GHG emissions at application stage in year y (tCO 2e)

EP,t,k,y = Emissions from processing of biochar type t for application type k in year y (tCO 2e)
Eap,t,k,y = Emissions from utilization of biochar type t for application type k in year y (tCO 2e)

Determining EP,k,y: Emissions associated with processing of biochar for application type k

In a scenario where biochar undergoes further processing (e.g., sizing, grinding, sifting) before
final soil or non-soil application, project proponents must quantify energy-related emissions
associated with grinding and other mechanical treatment of biochar. This methodology does not
account for emissions related to the production or generation of materials with which biochar is
mixed/infused for non-soil application (e.g., biochar-amended concrete or biochar-amended
asphalt).

If the energy source is renewable, EP,k,y is not considered and the default value of zero must be
used. Otherwise, it must be calculated as follows:

𝐸𝑃,𝑘,𝑦 = 𝑃𝐸𝑃𝐸,𝑘,𝑦 + 𝑃𝐸𝑃𝐹,𝑘,𝑦 (12)

Where:

EP,k,y = Emissions from processing of biochar for application type k in year y (tCO 2e)

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PEPE,k,y = Emissions associated with grid-connected electricity utilized for processing biochar
for application type k in year y (tCO 2e). PEPE,k,y must be calculated as per the
provisions of CDM Tool 05: Baseline, project and/or leakage emissions from
electricity consumption and monitoring of electricity generation.
PEPF,k,y = Emissions associated with combustion of fossil fuels utilized for processing of
biochar for application type k in year y (tCO 2e). PEPF,k,y must be calculated as per
the provisions of CDM Tool 03: Tool to calculate project or leakage CO 2 emissions
from fossil fuel combustion.

Where there is no processing of biochar, EP,k,y must be zero.

Determining Eap,k,y: Emissions associated with utilization of biochar for application k

Eap,k,y corresponds to emissions during the utilization of biochar for application type k in year y.
GHG emissions resulting from fossil fuel combustion or mixing of biochar with fertilizer products
are considered negligible. Thus, Eap,k,y is zero.24

8.3 Leakage

In the case of biochar use, leakage emissions are primarily attributed to transport emissions at
various stages of the biochar life cycle. Emissions due to activity-shifting leakage or biomass
diversion are considered zero, as currently only waste biomass is eligible for biochar
production. Quantification of leakage emissions are as follows:

𝐿𝐸𝑦 = 𝐿𝐸𝑎𝑠,𝑦 + 𝐿𝐸𝑏𝑑,𝑦 + 𝐿𝐸𝑡𝑠,𝑦 + 𝐿𝐸𝑡𝑎𝑝,𝑦 (13)

Where:
LEy = Total leakage emissions in year y (tCO2e)
LEas,y = Leakage due to activity shift in year y (tCO2e). Leakage due to activity shift is zero
as use of purposely grown biomass for production of biochar is currently not
allowed.
LEbd,y = Leakage due to biomass diversion in year y (tCO 2e). Leakage due to biomass
(waste/residue) diversion is considered negligible since only biomass which would
have been combusted or left to decay is utilized for biochar production.
LEts,y = Leakage emissions from transportation of waste biomass from sourcing to biochar
production facility in year y (tCO 2e). As per CDM Tool 16: Project and leakage
emissions from biomass,25 GHG emissions must be accounted for only if
transportation distance is more than 200 km. Project proponent must use CDM
Tool 12: Project and leakage emissions from transportation of freight 26 to
calculate 𝐿𝐸𝑡𝑠,𝑦 .
LEtap,y = Leakage emissions from transportation of biochar from the production facility to
the site of end application in year y (tCO2e). As per CDM Tool 16: Project and

24 As per CDM AR-ACM0003 Afforestation and reforestation of lands except wetlands. Available at
https://cdm.unfccc.int/methodologies/DB/C9QS5G3CS8FW04MYYXDFOQDPXWM4OE
25 Available at https://cdm.unfccc.int/methodologies/PAmethodologies/tools/am-tool-16-v4.pdf
26 Available at https://cdm.unfccc.int/methodologies/PAmethodologies/tools/am-tool-12-v1.1.0.pdf

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leakage emissions from biomass, GHG emissions must be accounted for only if
transportation distance is more than 200 km. Project proponent must use CDM
Tool 12: Project and leakage emissions from transportation of freight to calculate
LEtap,y.

Determining LEts,y: Emissions related to leakage from transportation of waste biomass from
sourcing to biochar production facility

Project emissions from transportation of waste biomass from the place of origin to the biochar
production site may have the following components:

i. Transport emissions from field to the production facility

LEts,y is considered zero if transportation distance (to and from—round trip) is less than 200 km.
Project emissions from transportation of biochar must be calculated as per the latest version of
CDM Tool 12: Project and leakage emissions from transportation of freight.

Determining LEtap,y: Emissions related to leakage from transportation of biochar from production
facility to site of end-use application

Project emissions from transportation of biochar from facility to end-use application may have
the following components:

i. Transport emissions from biochar facility to processing facility; AND

ii. Transport emissions from processing facility to end-use site;
OR

iii. Transport emissions from biochar facility to end-use site.

LEtap,y is considered zero if transportation distance (to and from—round trip) is less than 200
km. Project emissions from transportation of biochar must be calculated as per the latest
version of CDM Tool 12: Project and leakage emissions from transportation of freight.

8.4 Reversal Risk Mitigation

After the production of biochar, there exist sources of risk that could lead to reversals, i.e., loss
of sequestered carbon in the biochar that has previously been verified. Prior to use in soil or
non-soil applications, the produced biochar may be intentionally combusted for use as a fuel
source. This risk is wholly mitigated by the requirement that biochar is used only in approved
soil or non-soil applications (as per applicability conditions 5 and 7) with required end-use
application monitoring (see Section 9.3). During and after use in soil or non-soil applications,
there exist various natural and non-natural reversal risks which are mitigated in this
methodology as discussed in the following sections.

8.4.1 Natural Risks

When biochar is utilized for soil applications, natural risks are associated with climatic and
geological factors such as fires, floods, wind, and precipitation, among others. Of these, fire

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represents the most significant risk by far since it can result in the immediate loss of
sequestered carbon due to the combustion of biochar. On the other hand, erosion by wind or
water (flooding) poses the risk of transport of biochar outside of the project boundary and
beyond the control of the project proponent.

All of these natural risks are substantially mitigated through the incorporation of the biochar
into the soil subsurface, ideally to a minimum of 10 cm depth. However, projects may also apply
biochar on the soil surface. In this case, the risk of loss due to fire or erosion (wind or water) is
heightened since the biochar remains exposed on the soil surface. Risks can be mitigated by
mixing biochar with other amendments such as manures and composts prior to surface
application which reduces biochar’s combustibility and erodibility (IBI, 2010). Hence, for
surface application biochar must be mixed with other substrates according to applicability
condition 5. With these mitigation approaches, risks of losses for soil applications are greatly
reduced as substantiated by the scientific literature:

• Loss due to combustion: The nature of changes in soil during and after fires depends
on both the temperatures reached at different soil depths and the degree of heating
that the different soil components may withstand before being altered (González-Pérez
et al., 2004). Temperatures during fires decrease dramatically with soil depth (Enninful
& Torvi, 2008) and most loss of soil organic matter during wildfires is limited to the very
top layer of soil (Boerner, 2009; Majder-Łopatka, 2019). Except for high-intensity
wildfires in forest settings, the heat generated during a fire does not typically combust
the organic matter in soils, particularly in agricultural settings. Furthermore, with
subsoil application, studies have shown that biochar increases the resilience of the soil
to different abiotic and biotic stressors. For example, application of biochar increases
the water retention capacity of the soil (Głąb et al., 2016), thus itself acting as a risk
mitigation against loss due to combustion. Thus, when biochar is applied into the soil
subsurface the risk of its combustion decreases significantly, and when applied in
combination with amendments to the soil surface its combustibility is further reduced
(IBI, 2010).

• Loss due to transport outside the project boundary: Studies have shown that when
biochar is applied into soils, it may reduce water runoff and overall soil erosion
(Gholami et al., 2019; Lee et al., 2015) and thus transport of biochar outside the
project boundary. Similarly, risk of wind erosion is greatly reduced by incorporating
biochar into the subsurface of soil. Even so, some biochar could still be transported
outside the project boundary due to erosion, but this does not directly imply that the
sequestered carbon in the biochar will be lost to the atmosphere. Rather, biochar may
be transported via overland flow or wind into waterways and eventually deposited into
sediments where it is likely to persist for as long as or longer than the soil where it was
originally applied.

When biochar is used for non-soil applications natural risks are considered minimal. Lee et al.
(2019) have shown that when biochar is used in bio-composites such as those with inorganic
clay, biochar reduces thermal conductivity, thus increasing the thermal resistance of the
material to combustion. When biochar is incorporated into building materials such as mineral

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plasters, gypsum, or clay, the material is not prone to incineration; rather the biochar is
protected against biological and chemical decay (Gupta & Kua, 2019). For this reason, other
established biochar accounting programs (i.e., EBC) indicate that when biochar is incorporated
into building materials such as concrete, lime plaster, gypsum or clay, combustion is nearly
impossible (EBC, 2021).

8.4.2 Non-Natural Risks

Non-natural risks are those associated with project management, financial viability (for
example, insufficient funds to complete the project cycle), government policies, or community
and stakeholder resistance, among others.

• Social risks (i.e., community resistance or non-acceptability) are considered minimal

since the methodology considers only waste biomass as an eligible feedstock for biochar
production. Therefore, competing uses for feedstock will not exist and communities may
be expected to find new livelihood and revenue stream opportunities from the
introduction of biochar projects.

• Project management and financial risks are considered minimal due to the
independence of annual removals achieved from project activities. It is possible that the
project proponent may go bankrupt at some point after verification and issuance of
carbon credits, or a project proponent may terminate the project before the end of the
crediting period. In that event, non-natural risk due to project and financial viability are
considered to have a minimal impact on project claims from the previous year because
once utilized at the application stage (soil or non-soil applications), biochar will remain as
a sequestered material. For example, biochar applied to agricultural soils will continue to
act as a carbon sink irrespective of the fate of the project and/or continuation of biochar
application in the case of project proponent bankruptcy. In the case of a non-soil
application (e.g., biochar infused in cement), the carbon sink function will continue
irrespective of activities in subsequent years (Akinyemi & Adesina, 2020). GHG benefits
associated with biochar applied in year one of the project are not dependent on
continuation of application of biochar in year two.

Given the mitigation measures for natural and non-natural risks in both soil and non-soil
applications described above, this methodology considers reversal risk of verified biochar
carbon sequestration negligible.

8.5 Net GHG Emission Reductions and Removals

Emission reductions at the sourcing stage are calculated as follows:

𝐸𝑅𝑆𝑆,𝑦 = 𝐵𝐸𝑆𝑆,𝑦 − 𝑃𝐸𝑆𝑆,𝑦 (14)

Where:
ERSS,y = GHG emission reductions at sourcing stage in year y (tCO 2e)

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BESS,y = Baseline emissions at sourcing stage in year y; conservatively assumed default

value of zero (tCO 2e)
PESS,y = Project emissions at sourcing stage in year y, conservatively assumed to be zero
(waste biogenic source material is considered as renewable biomass) (tCO 2e)

Net GHG emission reductions and removals are calculated as follows:

𝐸𝑅𝑦 = 𝐸𝑅𝑆𝑆,𝑦 + 𝐸𝑅𝑃𝑆,𝑦 − 𝑃𝐸𝐴𝑆,𝑦 − 𝐿𝐸𝑦 (15)

Where:
ERy = Net GHG emissions reductions and removals in year y (tCO2e)
ERSS,y = GHG emission reductions at sourcing stage in year y (tCO2e)
ERPS,y = GHG emission removals at production stage in year y (tCO2e)
PEAS,y = GHG emissions at application stage in year y (tCO2e)
LEy = Total leakage emissions in year y (tCO2e)

9 MONITORING
9.1 Data and Parameters Available at Validation

Data / Parameter FCp,t,p

Data unit Percent (%)

Description Organic carbon content of biochar for each biochar type t produced in
production facility p per tonne of biochar, on a dry weight basis (%)

Equations Equation 2, Equation 6

Source of data At validation stage, both types of production facility may use default
values provided in Table 4 and taken from IPCC (2019) Appendix 4:
Method for Estimating the Change in Mineral Soil Organic Carbon
Stocks from Biochar Amendments: Basis for Future Methodological
Development or may provide peer-reviewed data.

Value applied For high technology production facilities, value is determined from a
material analysis. For low technology production facilities where FCp
cannot be monitored, use values from Table 4.

Justification of choice of IPCC (2019) states global estimates of organic carbon content of
data or description of biochar as a function of feedstock and heating temperature, therefore
measurement methods the value must be calculated based on a biochar material analysis or
using default values (EBC, 2022).
and procedures applied

Purpose of data Calculation of project emissions

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Comments None

Data / Parameter PRde,k

Data unit Dimensionless

Description Permanence adjustment factor due to decay of biochar (dimensionless)

to be defined for application type k

Equations Equation 2, Equation 6

Source of data EBC (2020) Guidelines for the Certification of Biochar Based Carbon
Sinks

IPCC (2019) Appendix 4: Method for Estimating the Change in Mineral

Soil Organic Carbon Stocks from Biochar Amendments: Basis for
Future Methodological Development

Scientific studies, research papers, other credible documentation

Value applied For high technology production facilities, project proponents must use
Table 4 in this methodology.

For low technology production facilities, project proponents must use a

conservative default value of 0.56 (Figure 4Ap.1 in IPCC, 2019)

Justification of choice of Biochar is a stable material that may be used for soil and non-soil
data or description of applications. As a material, it has a decay rate that must be accounted
measurement methods for. This parameter considers how much of the original carbon will
remain in the biochar and may be accounted as a carbon sink after its
and procedures applied
final application.

IPCC and EBC are internationally recognized and the data provided in
the guidelines are peer reviewed.

Purpose of data Calculation of project emissions

Comments N/A

Data / Parameter GWPCH4

Data unit tonnes CO2e per tonne CH4 (t CO2e/t CH4)

Description Global warming potential of methane

Equations Equation 9

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Source of data IPCC Fifth Assessment Report 27

Value applied 28

Justification of choice of The VCS Standard requires that CH 4 is converted to CO 2e using the
data or description of 100-year global warming potential derived from the most recent IPCC
measurement methods Assessment Report.
and procedures applied

Purpose of data Calculation of project emissions

Comments N/A

Data / Parameter Fe

Data unit tonnes CH4 per tonne biochar (t CH 4/t)

Description Average methane emissions from producing one tonne of biochar in

year y in a low technology production facility

Equations Equation 9

Source of data Table 3 in Cornelissen et al. (2016)

Value applied 0.049 tCH4/tonne of biochar produced for unknown low technology
production facility (i.e., kiln) type

If kiln type is known and represented in Table 3, corresponding values

may be used for Fe

Justification of choice of Methane emissions must be accounted for as methane is the main gas
data or description of released from low technology production facilities. The value of
measurement methods methane emissions per tonne of biochar produced in a low technology
production facility is derived from peer reviewed literature and deemed
and procedures applied
conservative.

Purpose of data Calculation of project emissions

Comments Use GWPCH4 value as described in the latest version of the VCS
Standard

Biomass categories and quantities used for selection of the baseline

Data / Parameter
scenario and production of biochar utilized in the project activity

tonnes (t) on dry basis

Data unit

27 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2014). Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working
Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change . R. K. Pachauri &
L. A. Meyer (Eds.). IPCC. Available at https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr/

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- Category (e.g., bagasse, rice husks, empty fruit bunches,

Description
agricultural waste);

- Source (e.g., produced on-site, obtained from an identified

biomass residue producer, obtained from a biomass residue
market);

- Fate in the absence of the project activity (see Appendix 2 for

detailed procedures);

- Documentation with sustainability criteria compliance for

respective category as indicated in Table 1.

Explain and document transparently in the project description which

quantities of which biomass categories are used in which installation(s)
under the project activity and what their baseline scenario is. Include
the quantity of each category of biomass (tonnes). For selection of the
baseline scenario, at validation, an ex-ante estimation of these
quantities should be provided.

-
Equations
On-site assessment of biomass categories and quantities
Source of data

Use weight meters. Adjust by moisture content in order to determine

Description of
the quantity of dry biomass.
measurement methods
and procedures to be
applied
Data monitored continuously and aggregated at least monthly
Frequency of
monitoring/recording
Cross-check the measurements with an annual energy balance that is
QA/QC procedures to be
based on purchased quantities and stock changes.
applied
Monitoring of eligible biomass categories and quantities used as
Purpose of data
feedstock for production of biochar

-
Calculation method
-
Comments

9.2 Data and Parameters Monitored

Data / Parameter Mp,y

Data unit tonnes (t)

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Description Total mass on a dry weight basis of biochar produced in production

facility p in year y

Equations Equation 3

Source of data On-site measurements

Description of Use weighing scales. Adjust the moisture content in order to determine
measurement methods quantity of dry weight biomass.
and procedures to be
applied
Frequency of Monitored continuously, recorded at least monthly
monitoring/recording
QA/QC procedures to be Calibrate weighing scales as per manufacturer’s specifications or at
applied least every three years.

Amount of biochar applied must be cross-checked with sales receipts

and/or invoices or any other equivalent third-party evidence.

Purpose of data Calculation of project emissions

Calculation method N/A

Comments Each biochar quantity should be weighed separately for each biochar
type t and each biochar production facility p.

Moisture content should be monitored for each batch of biochar type t.

The weighted average should be calculated for each monitoring period.

Data / Parameter Mt,k,p,y

Data unit tonnes (t)

Description Mass on dry weight basis of biochar type t and application type k
produced at production facility p in year y

Equations Equation 2, Equation 3, Equation 6, Equation 9

Source of data On-site measurements

Description of Use weighing scales. Adjust the moisture content in order to determine
measurement methods quantity of dry weight biomass.
and procedures to be
applied
Frequency of Monitored continuously, recorded at least monthly
monitoring/recording
QA/QC procedures to be Calibrate weighing scales as per manufacturer’s specifications or at
applied least every three years.

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Amount of biochar applied must be cross-checked with sales receipts

and/or invoices or any other equivalent third-party evidence.

Purpose of data Calculation of project emissions

Calculation method N/A

Comments Each biochar quantity should be weighed separately for each biochar
type t and each biochar production facility p.

Moisture content should be monitored for each batch of biochar type t.

The weighted average should be calculated for each monitoring period.

FCp,t,p
Data / Parameter
Percent (%)
Data unit
Organic carbon content of biochar for each biochar type t produced in
Description
production facility p per tonne of biochar, taken on a dry weight basis

Equation 2, Equation 6
Equations
Laboratory material analysis
Source of data
Laboratory material analysis following IBI Biochar Testing Guidelines or
Description of
EBC Production Guidelines or other relevant guidelines on the
measurement methods production of biochar is required to determine FCp values on a regular
and procedures to be basis.
applied
In alignment with the IBI Biochar Testing Guidelines testing must be
Frequency of
performed:
monitoring/recording
• Annually; or
• After a material change in feedstock; or
• After a material change in thermochemical production parameters;
whichever is more frequent.

Laboratory must be accredited and/or approved by the relevant

QA/QC procedures to be
national agency to conduct required material analysis.
applied
Calculation of project emissions
Purpose of data
N/A
Calculation method
For low technology production, where organic carbon content of biochar
Comments
cannot be sampled in alignment with the required standards, use the
conservative values indicated in Table 4 as default values.

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Tprod
Data / Parameter
degrees Celsius (°C)
Data unit
Average annual production temperature during pyrolysis
Description
-
Equations
Data records of biochar production
Source of data

Use instruments with recordable electronic signal (digital or analog).

Description of
Examples include thermocouple, thermoresistor or any other
measurement methods
instrument as prescribed by relevant international or national
and procedures to be
standards.
applied
Continuous, aggregated to annual averages
Frequency of
monitoring/recording
Periodic calibration against a primary device provided by an
QA/QC procedures to be
independent accredited laboratory is mandatory. Calibration and
applied frequency of calibration is according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Calculation of project emissions

Purpose of data
N/A
Calculation method
The average production temperature at which pyrolysis occurs will
Comments
determine the stability of the biochar. It will be used to categorize the
biochar in accordance with Table 3 to determine PRde.

For low-technology production where measuring the temperature is not

feasible, or sampling of the organic carbon content of the biochar
according to the required standards is not possible, use the
conservative values indicated in Equation 7 as default values.

H:Corg
Data / Parameter
Dimensionless
Data unit
Ratio of hydrogen to organic carbon
Description
-
Equations
Laboratory analysis
Source of data

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Laboratory analysis following IBI Biochar Testing Guidelines or EBC

Description of
Production Guidelines
measurement methods
and procedures to be
applied
Each batch of biochar produced at the production facility
Frequency of
monitoring/recording
Laboratory must be accredited and/or approved by the relevant
QA/QC procedures to be
national agency to conduct required material analysis.
applied
Used to demonstrate eligibility for use in soil applications. As per
Purpose of data
applicability condition 10, biochar used in soils must have an H:Corg of
less than 0.7.

N/A
Calculation method
N/A
Comments

WSP
Data / Parameter
Percent (%)
Data unit
Fraction of total waste heat utilized at biochar production facility p
Description
-
Equations
On-site records, estimated data from waste heat consumption in the
Source of data
facility

As per latest version of CDM Tool 09: Determining the baseline

Description of
efficiency of thermal or electric energy generation system.
measurement methods
and procedures to be
applied
Annual
Frequency of
monitoring/recording
As per latest version of CDM Tool 09: Determining the baseline
QA/QC procedures to be
efficiency of thermal or electric energy generation system.
applied
To qualify and ensure that biochar is produced in a high technology
Purpose of data
production facility.

-
Calculation method

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See the definition of high technology production facility for the

Comments
conditions that must be met for the production facility to qualify as high
technology.

9.3 Description of the Monitoring Plan

The main objective of the monitoring is to prove the carbon sink from the final application of
biochar and to quantify the emissions resulting from the project scenario during the project
crediting period, prior to each verification. The project proponent must establish and apply
quality management procedures to manage data and information. Written procedures must be
established for each measurement stage outlining responsibility and timing requirements (e.g.,
mass of biochar produced and production date).

The project proponent must develop and apply a monitoring plan according to ISO 14064-2
principles of transparency and accuracy that allows the quantification and proof of GHG
emissions at the three stages covered by this methodology: sourcing, production, and
application.

Due to the complexity and uniqueness of monitoring biochar end-use applications, this section
provides a list of resources that project developers may use for monitoring. Providing instruction
on the type of monitoring system to use is outside the scope of this methodology.

Geographic information

To prevent double counting of carbon benefits (e.g., carbon credits accounting for both the soil
organic carbon pool and for biochar application in soils), the final location of the site where the
carbon sink is created must be known. This applies to soil and non-soil applications. As per VCS
Standard rules, project location for non-AFOLU projects must be as follows: where there are a
large number of project activity instances (e.g., fields where biochar will be applied to soils), at
least one geodetic coordinate must be provided, together with sufficient additional geographic
information (with respect to the location of the instances) to enable sampling by the
validation/verification body.

Application type

For soil application, monitoring requires that all projects with soil end-use specify where the
biochar has been applied. As mentioned above, project proponent must provide at least one
geodetic coordinate for each instance.

For non-soil applications such as concrete or asphalt, the proof of application ends when the
biochar is mixed into long-lasting material. Similar to soil application, the project proponent
must provide at least one geodetic coordinate for each instance of the place where biochar was

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applied to or mixed to. Appropriate monitoring methods (e.g., statistically validated lifetime
averages) must be used to ensure the proportion of the material containing biochar is still in
use and has not been converted to CO 2.

Monitoring tools

To ensure that biochar would be applied either in soil or non-soil applications, the project
proponent must verify that the application takes place using, for example, the following:
tracking records, mobile or desktop applications, QR code, blockchain technology, non-fungible
token (NFT), GPS use-location coordinates, or any other tracking software that allows for chain
of custody record generation from the sourcing stage (i.e., waste biomass origin) to the end-use
application of biochar in soils.

Where measurement and monitoring equipment is used during biochar production (e.g., to
measure temperature), the project proponent must ensure that the equipment is calibrated
according to current best practice (e.g., relevant industry standards, manufacturer
specifications, or device supplier). Where a project proponent carries out a material laboratory
analysis of biochar, they must ensure it follows international standards such as the most recent
version of the IBI Biochar Testing Guidelines or EBC Production Guidelines

Data management

Quantitative sources of information and record keeping practices on biochar sourcing,

production, and application stages must be chosen. The project proponent must have an offsite
electronic back-up of all logged data. For example, monitoring data must provide information on
biochar batch number, quantity, type of application, geographic location, and proof that the
biochar will not be burned or pyrolyzed. The project proponent must provide access to all
platforms and make all evidence available to the third-party verifier.

The monitoring plan must contain as a minimum the following information:

1) A description of each monitoring task to be undertaken, and the technical
requirements therein;
2) Type of technology used to produce biochar;
3) Written logs of operation and maintenance of the project system;
4) Roles, responsibilities, and capacity of monitoring team and management.

QA / QC

Project proponents must also develop a QA/QC plan to add confidence that all measurements
and calculations have been made properly. QA/QC measures that may be implemented include,
but are not limited to:

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1) Protecting monitoring equipment (sealed meters and data loggers) where

applicable;
2) Protecting records of monitored data (hard copy and electronic storage);
3) Checking data integrity on a regular and periodic basis;
4) Comparing current estimates with previous estimates to check data integrity;
5) Providing sufficient training to personnel to perform activities related to the sourcing,
production, and application of biochar.

All necessary documents must be collected and centrally stored by the project proponent and
be available for verification at any time. Documents and records must be stored in a secure and
retrievable manner for at least two years after the end of the project crediting period.

10 REFERENCES
Akinyemi, B. A., & Adesina, A. (2020). Recent advancements in the use of biochar for
cementitious applications: A review. Journal of Building Engineering, 32, 101705.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101705

Amonette, J.E., J.G. Archuleta, M.R. Fuchs, K.M. Hills, G.G. Yorgey, G. Flora, J. Hunt, H.-S. Han,
B.T. Jobson, T.R. Miles, D.S. Page- Dumroese, S. Thompson, K. Wilson, R. Baltar, K. Carloni,
C. Christoforou, D.P. Collins, J. Dooley, D. Drinkard, M. Garcia-Pérez, G. Glass, K. Hoffman-
Krull, M. Kauffman, D.A. Laird, W. Lei, J. Miedema, J. O’Donnell, A. Kiser, B. Pecha, C.
Rodriguez-Franco, G.E. Scheve, C. Sprenger, B. Springsteen, and E. Wheeler. (2021).
Biomass to Biochar: Maximizing the Carbon Value. Report by Center for Sustaining
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University, Pullman WA.
http://csanr.wsu.edu/biomass2biochar

Andrew, S. S. (2006). Crop Residue Removal for Biomass Energy Production: Effects on Soils
and Recommendations. USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service. Retrieved from
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_053255.pdf

Arrigo, R., Jagdale, P., Bartoli, M., Tagliaferro, A., & Malucelli, G. (2019). Structure-property
relationships in polyethylene-based composites filled with biochar derived from waste
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European Biochar Certificate (EBC) (2021). Certification of the Carbon Sink Potential of
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Gholami, L., Karimi, N., & Kavian, A. (2019). Soil and water conservation using biochar and
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Głąb, T., Palmowska, J., Zaleski, T., & Gondek, K. (2016). Effect of biochar application on soil
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Gupta, S., & Kua, H. W. (2018). Effect of water entrainment by pre-soaked biochar particles on
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Evidence for the Potential Role of Biochar to Reduce Net GHG Emissions from New Zealand
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Greenhouse Gas Inventory Model for Biochar Additions to Soil. Environmental Science &
Technology, 55(21), 14795-14805.

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APPENDIX 1: ACTIVITY METHOD

As described in Section 7, this methodology uses a standardized approach for the demonstration of
additionality, specifically an activity method. Activity methods pre-determine additionality for given
classes of project activities using a positive list.

The initial assessment of activity penetration indicates that there is not enough biochar production in
any country that would put such penetration above the five percent threshold called for in the VCS
Methodology Requirements. It is known that no country has a level of activity penetration higher than
five percent currently due to biochar production constraints.

This standardized activity penetration method will be reassessed according to procedures outlined in
the VCS Methodology Development and Review Process. Future reassessments will be based on
national boundaries, focusing on countries where biochar made from waste biomass is actively
implemented. Also, following a conservative scenario, where sub-national regulations or policies may
impact the likelihood of the project activity being implemented, such boundaries may serve as the basis
of the reassessment of the activity penetration level.

Positive List

The project activity, production of biochar with waste biomass, is a relatively recent field with few fully
commercial technologies. Therefore, the methodology uses an activity method for demonstrating
additionality with the processing of waste biomass to biochar as the basis for a positive list. This
approach stipulates that the total waste biomass converted to biochar amounts to less than five
percent of the total waste biomass available worldwide. Five percent is the activity penetration
threshold set by the VCS Methodology Requirements and is determined by taking the Observed Activity
(OA) divided by the Maximum Adoption Potential (MAP). Where the result of this equation is less than
five percent, the project activity may be considered additional.

Activity penetration is calculated as:

𝑂𝐴𝑦 (16)
𝐴𝑃𝑦 = × 100
𝑀𝐴𝑃𝑦

Where:
APy = Activity penetration of the project activity in year y (percent)
OAy = Observed adoption of the project activity in year y
MAPy = Maximum adoption potential of the project activity in year y

Maximum adoption potential (MAP) of the project activity in year y

The VCS Methodology Requirements defines MAP as “the total adoption of a project activity that could
currently be achieved given current resource availability, technological capability, level of service,

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implementation potential, total demand, market access and other relevant factors within the
methodology’s applicable geographically defined market.”

For the purposes of this methodology, the maximum adoption potential of this activity is the number of
tonnes of waste biomass that could be converted to biochar worldwide. The carbon sequestration
benefits of biochar have been extensively studied, however, the lack of a robust and widely accepted
carbon methodology has limited access to carbon markets and to finance needed to scale the biochar
sector. While there are enormous volumes of waste biomass available globally, commercial
implementation constraints (e.g., necessary infrastructure for producing and distributing biochar) and
limited market access mean that actual conversion of waste biomass into biochar is a fraction of its
potential. This is expected to change as biochar producers and practitioners work to build data sets and
complete research and development trials to prove the material’s effectiveness and permanence.
However, until data on the performance and cost competitiveness of biochar are proved definitively,
market access will continue to constrain its use.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) online FAOSTAT 28 database of forestry
and agricultural statistics was queried for the total amount of “wood residues.” Results indicated that in
2019, there were 336,858,637 cubic meters of wood residues reported by 94 countries worldwide
(country reporting includes the US, UK, China, and Switzerland, as well as many in the Global South).
Wood residues can be in different forms (from sawdust and other wood residues at sawmills to slash
piles in the forest to firewood). According to the UK Forest Research agency: 29

1) Industrial roundwood averages 1.43 cubic meters per tonne for softwoods and 1.25 cubic
meters for hardwoods
2) Chips and sawdust are 1.48 cubic meters per tonne
3) Fuelwood is 1.38 cubic meters per tonne

For the sake of conservativeness, by taking the least dense metric of 1.25 cubic meters per tonne,
there are an estimated 269,486,910 tonnes of wood residues produced globally on an annual basis.

The same database did not have any similar information on “crop residues,” however it did report total
crops produced globally (tonnes). In 2019, this was 11.9 billion metric tonnes. To be conservative, if
only 10 percent of that value was crop residues, there would be over 1.1 billion tonnes a year (globally)
potentially available for conversion to biochar.

Adding 269,486,910 tonnes of wood residues to 1.1 billion tonnes of crop residues = 1,369,486,910
tonnes.

Therefore, for the purposes of this methodology, the maximum adoption potential of this activity is
limited to MAPy = 1.369 billion tonnes.

Observed adoption of the project activity in year y (OA y)

28FAOSTAT (2021). Web Query. http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data

29Forest Research (n.d.). Conversion Factors. Available at https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-
resources/statistics/forestry-statistics/forestry-statistics-2016-introduction/sources/timber/conversion-factors/

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According to the International Biochar Initiative State of the Biochar Industry report,30 in 2015 a total of
85,000 metric tonnes of biochar was transacted globally (Figure 2: Geographic Distribution of Biochar
Producers from IBI (2015)).

Figure 2: Geographic Distribution of Biochar Producers from IBI (2015)

To be conservative, it is assumed that the 2015 IBI biochar report only captured half of the reported
transaction volumes, meaning that an estimated 170,000 metric tonnes of biochar was produced.

Since the last IBI biochar report was published, China has begun to produce a significant amount of
material. As of 2019, China was producing 500,000 metric tonnes a year (T. R. Miles pers. comm.).
According to the National Alliance of Biochar Science and Technology Innovation in China, the country
plans to reach 3,000,000 tonnes per year of biochar production in the coming years.

Using 170,000 metric tonnes (based on the 2015 IBI data) and an assumed growth rate of 10 percent
per year for 2016 to 2021 gives 273,787 metric tonnes for all countries excluding China. Adding
500,000 tonnes to account for China’s production, the total 2021 global estimate of biochar on an
annual basis is 773,787 metric tonnes.

Global APy calculation for biochar

Therefore, the global APy for biochar is:

30 International Biochar Initiative (2015). State of the Biochar Industry. International Biochar Initiative. Available at:
https://biochar-international.org/state-of-the-biochar-industry-2015/

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𝑂𝐴𝑦
𝐴𝑃𝑦 = × 100
𝑀𝐴𝑃𝑦

773,787
𝐴𝑃𝑦 = × 100
1,369,486,910

𝐴𝑃𝑦 = 0.06%

𝐴𝑃𝑦 = < 5%

Given the current level of biochar production and waste biomass available annually, it is demonstrated
that the activity penetration level of the project activity covered by this methodology is below the five
percent threshold, and the project activity may be deemed additional.

Where the project activity has been commercially available in any area of the applicable geographic
area for less than three years (i.e., it uses a new technology or measure), it must be demonstrated that
the project activity faces barriers to its uptake, per the VCS Methodology Requirements. The analysis of
commercial availability must be conducted at the national level and must assess the time period over
which biochar made from waste biomass is available for commercial purchase in the project region.

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APPENDIX 2: DEMONSTRATION OF
FEEDSTOCK AS WASTE BIOMASS
This appendix provides procedures to demonstrate that the biochar feedstock was waste biomass in
the baseline scenario (i.e., in the absence of the project activity) as required by the applicability
conditions (see Section 4). This must be demonstrated at project validation.

Assessment of feedstock biomass use must cover the five years preceding the project start date. All
qualitative and quantitative information on biomass use in the baseline scenario should be determined
via consultation with the manager/landowner that the biomass is sourced from or with the contracted
supplier (e.g., biomass broker/intermediary).

The following list specifies the allowable sources of information on biomass use in the baseline
scenario with priority from higher to lower preference, as available. The principle of conservatism must
be applied in all cases:

1) Where the source of biomass31 can be identified, and the biomass is not used in the baseline
scenario:

a. Historical management plans, receipts, or other records from the areas where the
biomass is sourced from showing that the biomass was not used for alternative
purposes in the five years preceding the project start date. These may be
supplemented with other forms of evidence such as remote sensing (e.g., satellite
imagery) or documentation from comparable sourcing areas.

OR

b. Substantiation via a signed attestation from the manager/landowner or supplier stating

that the biomass was not used for alternative purposes in the five years preceding the
project start date. This includes new sources of biomass32 that did not exist (e.g.,
residues from a new food processing mill) before the project start date. The attestation
must not deviate from other available evidence such as remote sensing (e.g., satellite
imagery) or documentation from comparable sourcing areas.

2) Where the source of biomass can be identified and (some or all) the biomass is used in the
baseline scenario:

a. Historical management plans, receipts, or other records from the areas where the
biomass is sourced from showing that the biomass supply is sufficient to satisfy project

31Source of biomass should include information on both the entity providing the biomass (e.g., sawmill, grain mill) as
well as the geographic area where it came from (e.g., forestry concession, agricultural field).
32 New sources of biomass that did not exist before the project start date will not have historical management records.

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demand without compromising future non-project biomass delivery commitments. This

must be demonstrated through an analysis of historical biomass volumes delivered
annually in the five years preceding the project start date combined with expected
project- and non-project-related volumes for the duration of the project crediting period.

OR

b. Substantiation via a signed attestation from the manager/landowner or supplier stating

that the available biomass supply is sufficient to satisfy project-related demand without
compromising future biomass delivery commitments. This must be supplemented by an
analysis of historical biomass volumes delivered annually in the five years preceding
the project start date combined with expected project- and non-project-related volumes
for the duration of the project crediting period. The attestation must not deviate from
other available evidence such as remote sensing (e.g., satellite imagery) or
documentation from comparable sourcing areas.

3) Where the source of biomass cannot be identified (e.g., the biomass is sourced from a biomass
residue market with unknown producers):

a. Demonstration that there is an abundant, unutilized surplus of the same or similar type
of biomass in the project region. This must be demonstrated through an analysis
showing that the total biomass quantity available is at least 25 per cent larger than the
total biomass quantity used (including by the project facility) for that type of biomass.
The analysis should be based on an annual assessment of biomass availability and use
in the five years preceding the project start date. Where historical data is not available
on an annual basis for the five years preceding the project start date, at least one year
of data may be used as evidence. This should be complemented with additional
evidence demonstrating that the available data is representative of the five years
preceding the project start date. The project region should be adjusted to reflect
characteristics specific to the biomass type and markets (e.g., wood residues for
bioenergy production) where the project is located.

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DOCUMENT HISTORY
Version Date Changes
v1.0 12 Aug 2022 Initial version released.
v1.1 05 Jul 2023 • Clarifications to eligible feedstocks in Section 4
• Clarifications to eligible land types for soil application in Section 4
• Corrections and clarifications to GHG sources included in the project
boundary in Table 2
• Corrections to equations in Section 8
• Clarifications to parameters available at validation in Section 9
• Clarifications to standardized activity method reassessment procedures
in Appendix 1
• Clarifications to the procedures to demonstrate that feedstocks are
waste biomass in Appendix 2
• General improvements, corrections and clarifications

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