Isometric has certified an update to its Enhanced Weathering (EW) Protocol. Like all Isometric protocols, it has gone through a 30 day public consultation. This consultation included input from carbon removal suppliers, EW partners and the Isometric Science Network, which has more than 300+ academic researchers.
The changes reflect learnings from verifying the world’s first Enhanced Weathering credits, issued in December 2024. The updated protocol provides more flexibility for suppliers by accounting for the unique conditions of every project, as no location or feedstock is the same. The update maintains Isometric’s high bar for scientific rigor with clear guidelines on measurements and sampling.
Direct measurements are necessary in EW to confirm the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere. Rather than prescriptive guidelines, the minimum number of soil samples is now tailored to a project’s site. Soil and porewater measurements are inputs to the quantification process and continue to be core components of Isometric’s protocol. The new version of the protocol provides greater flexibility on how many soil samples are required (and from what soil depth these samples must be sourced). These updates can be seen in the changelog and public consultation summary.
The updated protocol means leading EW suppliers can be confident in designing their operations to meet Isometric’s requirements. Suppliers using the protocol can deliver the highest quality credits on the market, supported by real, transparent data. InPlanet in Brazil, Alt Carbon and Mati in India, and ZeroEx in Germany are all working with Isometric to ensure rigorous monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) on their existing and future sites.
Matthew Clarkson, Ph.D., Head of Carbon, InPlanet:
"The scientific expertise and enthusiasm of the Isometric team has been invaluable to issue the first credits. Together, we pragmatically navigated the complexity of the verification process to create the blueprint for EW credit issuance. We have confidence that the process will now be refined for greater efficiency whilst maximising integrity and transparency."
Tony Oehm, CEO & Co-Founder, ZeroEx:
"Working with Isometric has been invaluable. Their team is always there—dedicated and attentive to every detail—helping us raise our quality standards and credibility at ZeroEx. Isometric’s dedication and precision in reviewing our projects have been key to ensuring the best possible outcomes."
Shrey Agarwal, CEO & Cofounder, AltCarbon:
"Carbon removal represents a unique financial instrument combining scientific rigour, socio-ecological co-benefits, and an environmentally just transfer of finance to developing countries. Our partnership with Isometric has kept us true to our science, while also allowing key flexibility to adapt their standards to the geographical constraints that companies in the Global South face. Without sacrificing rigor, they have taken on a collaborative approach which makes us confident that we can work with them to scale CDR in South Asia, for the world."
EW is a rapidly evolving field, so the industry needs a protocol that reflects the latest science. The new structure of the protocol provides a clear framework for how novel technologies like models or field sensors can be incorporated into future updates. This shows how Isometric’s modular approach to protocol development and strong Science team ensure our protocols remain the most rigorous and up-to-date in the market.
The protocol is also aligned with best practice recommendations from Cascade Climate, a leading nonprofit that works across industry, government and science to accelerate EW. Cascade welcomed the development of the updated protocol:
“As the first carbon credits from an ERW deployment are issued by Isometric to InPlanet…we can and should set rigorous MRV methodologies for ERW now…because we need a starting point to begin generating consistent, high-quality data. [F]or open-system CDR pathways, it’s only through the collection of high-quality data across a range of conditions that we can improve future methodologies.”
Enhanced Weathering buyers support the updated protocol and are taking credits delivered under it. This includes verified credits from InPlanet being issued to Adyen, a large, European payments processor, having been secured by ClimeFi. ClimeFi welcomed the updated protocol:
"The issuance of these world first credits underscores ClimeFi's commitment to fostering breakthroughs in carbon removal technologies. By connecting innovators with leading companies such as Adyen, we are enabling organisations to make scientifically verified strides toward their net-zero commitments."
EW suppliers interested in working with Isometric can learn more here.
