Biochar
Biochar
Pyrolyzing farm and forest residues with limited oxygen leaves behind carbon that resists decomposition.
- 200+ year durability
- H/Corg below 0.70
- Proof of end use
- FeedstockRice husks, orchard prunings, forest residues, livestock manure
- Pyrolysis unit
- Biochar
- Use in soils or materials
How it works
The carbon in biomass such as rice husks, orchard prunings, unused forest residues, and livestock manure was originally drawn from the atmosphere as plants grew. Pyrolysis converts it into a stable carbon structure (biochar). When biochar is applied to soil or used in construction and other materials, carbon that would otherwise have returned to the atmosphere through decay or burning stays locked away for the long term. The energy used for pyrolysis and the methane emitted during the process are deducted through life cycle assessment (LCA), and only the remaining net removals are eligible for credits.
Eligibility criteria
Example based on Puro.earth Biochar Edition 2025 v2. Requirements differ by methodology.[16]
- Feedstock that meets sustainability criteria. Feedstocks with pathogen concerns, such as manure, must be sanitized or carbonized above 500°C for at least 3 minutes.
- An H/Corg The molar ratio of hydrogen to organic carbon in biochar. The lower it is, the more stable the carbon structure; it is used to judge durability. ratio below 0.70 for each char stream
- Methane emissions from pyrolysis at or below 15% of the carbon stored
- A combustion system that runs normally for more than 95% of operating time and detects flame loss
- Demonstrated additionality. For example, Verra VM0044 v1.2 requires an investment analysis.[17]
- Proof of where the biochar was used (soil or non-soil applications)
Data required
- Feedstock
- Type, quantity received, moisture content, proof of origin, open-air storage duration and conditions
- Process
- Continuous logging of combustion quality indicators (e.g., combustion chamber temperature) at intervals of 1 minute or less, share of time in normal operation, and flame-loss records. These apply where a continuous reactor uses the default methane value (0.5 kg per tonne of biochar).[16]
- Production
- Dry mass of biochar (corrected for impurities), production batch records
- Sample analysis
- H/Corg and organic carbon content. Sampling follows ISO 18135, EN 12579, or EBC guidelines. The 1,000-year tier requires Random reflectance (R0) An analysis that measures the reflectance of biochar particles under a microscope to determine the share of stable carbon. analysis (Isometric).[2]
- Energy and inputs
- Electricity and fuel use
- Distribution
- Packaging, storage, transport, and final application records (Chain of custody (traceability) An unbroken, evidenced record of how material moves and is handled, from feedstock to storage and end use.)
Rules and status in Korea
- An April 2, 2024, amendment to the Rural Development Administration’s Notice on the Establishment of Official Fertilizer Standards allows biochar made at 350°C or above under limited oxygen from wood, rice husks, crop residues, orchard prunings, or cattle and chicken manure to be distributed as fertilizer. This provides the basis for applying biochar to soil in Korea.[18]
- A biochar methodology for K-ETS offset projects (KOC/KCU Korean Offset Credits (KOCs) certified for K-ETS external offset projects, and the Korean Credit Units (KCUs) they are converted into.) is at the draft stage; the draft was presented on August 27, 2026. It accepts only uncontaminated plant-based biomass as feedstock, excludes livestock manure, and treats the volume sold as the amount applied in that year. We will update this page once it is finalized.[19]
Key registries and methodologies
| Program | Methodology | Status (as of Oct 11, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Puro.earth | Biochar Edition 2025 v2 — CORC200+, 10-year crediting period, renewable twice | CCP label The ICVCM’s Core Carbon Principles label. Credits carry it only when the program is eligible and the methodology is approved.-eligible program. No methodology CCP approval as of December 2025.[20] Not in ICAO’s April 2026 CORSIA The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, run by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Only credits from eligible programs can be used. eligibility table[21] |
| Isometric | Biochar Production & Storage v1.0 — 200-year tier (H/Corg, decay curves) or 1,000-year tier (R0) | Methodology CCP-approved August 13, 2025.[22] Eligible program for CORSIA’s first phase, 2021–2026 vintages[21] |
| Verra | VM0044 v1.2 — soil and non-soil applications, effective June 27, 2025, investment analysis required to demonstrate additionality | Methodology CCP-approved August 13, 2025.[22] VCS is an eligible program for CORSIA’s first and second phases[21] |
| Carbon Standards International | Global Biochar C-Sink v3.2 (November 15, 2025) — dMRV providers submit data via API | Under ICVCM program assessment; applied April 1, 2026[23] |
Show 4 more programs
| Program | Methodology | Status (as of Oct 11, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow (formerly Riverse) | Includes biochar | CCP-eligible program from March 5, 2026, for Rules v7 and later. Methodology CCP approval is assessed separately[24] |
| Gold Standard | PARC — draft of its first biochar methodology, three tracks by project scale, digital chain of custody required | Public consultation opened April 22, 2026[25] |
| EU CRCF The EU’s certification framework for carbon removals and carbon farming (Regulation (EU) 2024/3012). | Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/285 — includes biochar | Adopted February 3, 2026; used as a quality reference[26] |
| Korean offset projects (KOC) | Draft biochar methodology — plant-based biomass only (livestock manure excluded), 350°C or above, H/C below 0.7, quantification based on volume sold | Presented by the Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency at the 6th ITEA Forum on August 27, 2026. Not yet finalized or officially published[19] |
Market context
Indicative timeline
A biochar plant typically takes 12–24 months to reach its first credits.[8]
Request a biochar asset screening →