Projects must report a list of all input variables used in the net CO₂e removal calculation and their uncertainties.
Work with us as a Biochar supplier
We've combined requirements from our modular protocol framework outlining everything you need to be validated as a Biochar supplier.
We provide further support to compile a compliant validation package on our platform, Isometric Certify.
Overview
Where do requirements come from?
Isometric Standardv1.5.1->Biochar Production and StorageProtocolv1.2->Biochar Production in Combustion Co-product SystemsModulev1.0->Biochar Production in Distributed and Small Scale ProjectsModulev1.0->Biochar Storage in the Built EnvironmentModulev1.0->Biochar Storage in Soil EnvironmentsModulev1.2->
List of Biochar requirements
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Table of contents
Protocol & monitoring data
Protocol & monitoring data
How will you be measuring, monitoring and maintaining carbon removal, including data models and risk assessments.
Projects must state if they are opting to pursue a combined 200 and 1000 year durability option.
Projects must assess biochar removal risk for fuel use. If material risk exists, project must report the particle size distribution and provide justification that the biochar will not be collected or used for combustion.
Projects must confirm whether they stockpile biochar between production and end use.
Environmental & social impacts
Environmental & social impacts
How will your project affect people and nature, and how will you manage any risks that arise.
Projects must include a plan for information sharing, emergency response and conditions for stopping or pausing a deployment.
Pathway-specific
Pathway-specific
How will your project meet pathway-specific process requirements.
Projects must confirm their production batch definition is within the <1 month threshold (<7 days for combustion co-product)
Projects must confirm that their sampling plan, including sampling number, frequency, and analytical methods, is consistent with Methods A and B as defined in the protocol.
Projects must select the transition pathway used to monitor moisture in Method B: 1) Dry-weight measured every batch 2) consistent target moisture level or 3) moisture measured every batch
Projects must evidence they meet the additional sampling and analysis requirements specific to production in combustion co-product systems.
Projects must ensure that feedstock moisture is properly managed and verified to minimize CH₄ emissions associated with inefficient pyrolysis.
Projects must demonstrate that any payment model in which operators receive compensation for biochar production does not incentivize production volume over outcomes.
Projects must evidence the training program in place for technicians to ensure the safe, efficient, and standardized production of biochar.
Project must provide a process and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) or engineering design diagram of the chemical reactor. The diagram must include all measurement sensors (e.g. temperature, pressure, flow) with labels identifying sensor type and location
Projects must include detailed information on the selection of materials used for each reactor component, along with a justification of these choices from the perspectives of thermal and mechanical resilience.
Projects must describe and evidence an appropriate reactor maintenance plan.
If the reactor is at high pressure (>0.5 Bar above ambient pressure), projects must detect and quantify any loss of pyrolysis gases during operation either through flow sensors combined with a reactor model, continuous pressure monitoring, or annual testing through an accredited leakage testing authority.
Projects must evidence they meet the additional system eligibility criteria specific to production in combustion co-product systems.
Projects must evidence they meet the additional quantification and monitoring eligibility criteria specific to distributed and small scale projects.
Projects must select the method used to monitor stack emissions for CH₄, N₂O, CO, and CO₂: 1) Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) — providing logged data across the full reporting period or 2) Periodic emissions testing — conducted at a minimum frequency of once a year by an accredited third-party provider
Projects must confirm which of the four permissible end-use emissions accounting approaches for the produced pyrolysis gasses they plan to use. This includes venting, venting after an emissions control system, combustion of gases for energy recovery and/or provision of gases to a third party.
Projects must provide evidence demonstrating that CO2 is stored in the built environment through the incorporation of biochar into the built materials.
Projects must provide evidence demonstrating that construction materials with biochar incorporated meet the same performance requirements as conventional products.
Projects must provide evidence demonstrating that construction materials do not require additional installation/maintenance products.
Projects must specify contaminant monitoring plan, including potential impact on product quality and the surrounding environment, specific contaminants to be tracked and the frequency of testing.
Projects must provide applicable environmental legal and regulatory requirements.
Projects must provide details of how measurements relevant to regulatory requirements are carried out.
Projects must provide evidence demonstrating that all emissions related to biochar storage are fully accounted for within the Project system boundary.
Projects must perform chemical analysis required for biochar characterization.
Projects must describe biochar characterization and the approach to ongoing monitoring requirements.
Projects must confirm they have obtained or will obtain data for all required physical and chemical biochar measurements. If available, projects must provide the measurement values for each parameter.
Projects must provide detailed descriptions of project boundaries for all Crediting activities.
Projects must report a set of at least 500 measurements of R0 calculated at the maceral level for each sample of their biochar.
Projects must provide detailed information on the end material production process.
Projects must provide documentation verifying biochar incorporation.
Projects must provide an engineering design diagram.
Projects must provide evidence demonstrating the products are in compliance with relevant standards and the products are comparable with traditional products.
If projects are targeting 200-year durability, details on the method or approach used for annual average soil temperature calculation must be provided.
Projects must provide a clear chain of custody diagram or equivalent.
Projects must specify which biochar deployment method(s) will be used: direct soil application, on-site mixing, and/or third-party mixing.
If pursuing on-site or third-party mixing, Projects must confirm their approach to: (1) integration method, (2) end-use definition, (3) custody tracking, and (4) reversal prevention.
If deploying through direct soil application, projects must confirm they will supply either of the following evidence: 1) Geotagged and timestamped visual evidence of stockpiles, spreading, and incorporation of biochar or 2) Project boundaries and logbook records
If pursuing on-site mixing, Projects must confirm provision of the following: facility records, batch records, photos/videos of active biochar integration per storage batch, and quantitative input/output tracking via weighbridge or inventory management systems.
Projects must confirm provision of the following for third-party biochar sales: legally binding purchaser affidavit covering intended use, geographical boundaries, mixing evidence agreements, 3-year agricultural company verification, and mixing timeframes. In addition, project must also confirm provision of sales invoices or transfer records with delivery documentation, photos/videos of active biochar integration per storage batch, and quantitative input/output tracking via weighbridge or inventory management systems.