New certified module for biochar storage

Isometric recently certified the Biochar Storage in Low Oxygen Burial Environments Module, following a comprehensive 30-day public consultation period. Feedback was received from stakeholders across the biochar space, including buyers, suppliers, academics as well as experts in the waste management industry. 

Biochar can be stored in a range of environments and materials. This module focuses on biochar that is stored in engineered, lined landfills. In these environments, new landfill material is introduced—and compressed—every day, which maintains low oxygen conditions.

Oxygen, mineralization and other environmental factors that degrade biochar are minimized in this environment. These storage sites—with their liners and gas controls—are particularly effective at preventing the reversal of durable carbon storage and are permitted by local authorities. The low oxygen conditions result in a highly durable storage option and ensure that biochar will not degrade significantly.

Under this module, credits will be issued with 1,000-year durability. Two quantification options are available to calculate the amount of carbon durably stored:

1. Quantifying the stable (inertinite) biochar fraction using Random Reflectance and quantifying part of the carbon that does not decompose (known as the labile biochar fraction) with a six month incubation test. A conservative discount factor is applied to this labile biochar fraction to deduct the likely carbon loss over 1,000 years.
2. Quantifying the stable (inertinite) biochar fraction with Random Reflectance, with no crediting of the labile biochar fraction. 
   

Carba is the first supplier signed up for this module and plans to deliver biochar credits with it. Andrew Jones, Carba’s CEO, said this about the protocol:

"We are excited about Isometric’s rigorous approach to biochar storage that is outlined in this module. It incorporates the latest science verifying 1000-year durable carbon storage, while allowing flexibility for suppliers like us. This helps us produce highly trusted biochar burial credits while also scaling our business. We look forward to monthly verification with Isometric’s platform and are excited about how this will help us scale Carba."