Methodology
RIV-ENGY-02-PYGAS
V1
Overall Available Credits
0
tCO₂eq
Overall forecasted delivery
151112
tCO₂eq
Most used mechanism
Removal
Last Update
September 7, 2023
using this methodology
5
Projects
Fossil fuels power much of our energy needs yet account for 75% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Biomass offers a carbon-neutral alternative when used for bioenergy and can even be carbon-negative in biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS) processes. Some systems also produce biochar, a co-product that can sequester carbon for hundreds to thousands of years.
This methodology focuses on BiCRS technologies, particularly gasification and pyrolysis, and explores syngas, bio-oil, and biochar as co-products, using biomass and organic waste as feedstock.
The eligible technologies for the biochar methodology under the Riverse Standard include:
Gasification: This high-temperature process involves the partial oxidation of organic materials in the presence of a controlled amount of oxygen (or air) and/or a gasification agent such as steam or carbon dioxide.
Pyrolysis: This thermal decomposition process occurs in the absence of oxygen. Biomass is heated to high temperatures, resulting in the production of biochar, bio-oil, and syngas.
These processes yield various co-products including syngas, bio-oil, and biochar. Biochar is particularly focused on due to its significant potential for carbon sequestration. Syngas can be utilized for generating electricity and heat, or for producing chemicals such as ammonia, methanol, and synthetic fuels. Bio-oil can be refined into biofuels or used in chemical processes.
These technologies and processes ensure that the project aligns with goals related to carbon sequestration and the production of renewable energy and chemicals, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Biochar was recognized in the latest IPCC report AR6 as a solution for enhancing carbon sinks.
The BiCRS model quantification takes into account every part of a project-based comparative life-cycle assessment.
The methodology quantifies carbon removals and GHG emissions avoided compared to baseline scenarios using the ISO 14064-2 standard. All projects must submit detailed life cycle assessments (LCAs) to accurately quantify emissions.
Key aspects include:
The project qualifies for removal credits due to carbon sequestration resulting from biochar application to soil. The sequestration horizon extends beyond 100 years, ensuring long-term carbon storage.
The permanence of carbon sequestration is guaranteed by measuring organic carbon and hydrogen content in biochar, indicators of carbon stability, through laboratory chemical analyses. Based on estimated biochar characteristics, projects demonstrate a permanence factor of 0.94 over 100 years.
Following models proposed by Woolf et al. (2021), these indicators, along with soil temperature, calculate the amount of carbon expected to remain stored in the soil after 100 years.
The project's sampling protocols are validated during certification according to Riverse Biochar sector-specific guidelines. During verification, the project will provide laboratory analysis results of its biochar characteristics, ensuring compliance with these criteria.
Riverse ensures that carbon financing drives additional climate action by supporting solutions that would not happen without revenue from carbon finance. Carbon credits cannot be issued for activities that would occur regardless.
Regulatory Surplus Analysis:Several European regulations, such as the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), Waste Framework Directive, and Circular Economy Action Plan, promote waste treatment and circularity, including the use of agricultural waste as a feedstock input. However, none of these regulations mandate the production of biochar from orchard prunings. This project's activities are not mandated by regulation and would not necessarily occur in the absence of carbon finance support from Carbonfields.
At the EU level, there are currently no regulations requiring the manufacture or use of biobased materials. Therefore, biobased construction material projects are voluntary and not obligatory for compliance.
Barrier Analysis:Biochar projects typically demonstrate additionality through barrier analysis, showing they face financial, technological, or institutional barriers that threaten their operations and can only be overcome with solutions funded by carbon finance. Examples include:
Investment Analysis:Instead of barrier analysis, biochar projects may use investment analysis to demonstrate the need for carbon financing to expand and scale up activities, showing that the investment would not be financially viable without it. Examples include:
Note that for investments in expansion, only the additional activities enabled by the expansion are eligible for Riverse Carbon Credits.
Each project must demonstrate that it does not cause significant social or environmental harm based on the following criteria:
A risk matrix assesses these factors for all projects and undergoes validation during verification by the Verification and Validation Body (VVB).
The project’s avoided GHG emissions should not be indirectly transferred elsewhere.
There is a risk that if the fossil-based energy displaced by bioenergy is sold and consumed elsewhere, the net emissions reduction attributable to bioenergy may be negated by increased emissions in those other locations. This risk is acknowledged and lies beyond the scope of intervention for both Riverse and the projects themselves.
Additionally, there is a risk that feedstock inputs may be cultivated in distant areas and imported to the bioenergy site, thereby shifting the environmental impacts of feedstock cultivation to other locations. This risk is managed by including the transport of feedstock inputs to the biogas site in the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) used to calculate carbon credits.
To monitor projects and verify avoided and removed emissions, Project Developers must submit the following on a regular basis, at least annually:
We adhere to the ISO14064-2 standard to accurately quantify GHG emissions reductions and sequestration. Our approach ensures that all calculations are transparent, consistent, and reliable.
Every project undergoes rigorous validation and recurring verification/monitoring audits by accredited Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs). This process guarantees the credibility and accuracy of our projects' emissions reductions.
Overall Available Credits
0
tCO₂eq
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Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
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All projects must adhere to the following eligibility criteria:
Each project must demonstrate that it does not cause significant social or environmental harm in the following areas:
A risk matrix for all projects is assessed and validated during Verification and Validation Body (VVB) audits.
Version management is handled through a system that ensures consistency and traceability of changes.
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