The Climate Action Reserve (Reserve) U.S. and Canada Biochar Protocol provides guidance to account for, report, and verify greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and carbon removals associated with the production and application of biochar.
| Current Protocol Version(s) Available for Project Submittal | Adoption Date | Notes and Supporting Documents |
|---|---|---|
| US and Canada Biochar Protocol V1.0 | March 19, 2024 | US and Canada Biochar Protocol V1.0 Summary (coming soon) |
Protocol Supporting Documents
| Document/Tool (version) | Description |
|---|---|
| Eligible Biochar Feedstocks List | The feedstocks listed herein are eligible for inclusion under a biochar project registering under the Reserve’s U.S. and Canada Biochar Protocol. |
| Eligible Biochar End Uses List | The end uses listed herein are eligible for inclusion under a biochar project registering under the Reserve’s U.S. and Canada Biochar Protocol. |
| Mean annual soil temperature GIS layer | The Reserve provides a standardized spatial layer of mean annual soil temperature to be used by project developers to determine the soil temperature of end use locations associated with the biochar from the project. |
| Biochar CRT Calculation Tool v1.0 (coming soon) | The Reserve has developed a Biochar CRT Calculation Tool to assist with the quantification of projects using the U.S. and Canada Biochar Protocol. The equations in the tool mirror those in the protocol and perform calculations for all required and optional SSRs to conduct protocol-compliant emission reduction estimations. Use of the tool is optional. |
| Biochar Sample Reporting Tool v1.0 (coming soon) | The Reserve provides a Biochar Sample Reporting Tool that helps project developers document how ongoing laboratory results compare to the running averages from prior results and determine if new Initial Parameter Sampling must be performed. |
| Approved Laboratory Analytical Standards | Accepted laboratory analysis methodologies that can be used by projects currently includes:
|
Project Registration Documents
| Document | Description | Required Phase | Privilege |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. and Canada Biochar Project Submittal Form | A proposal to undertake a biochar project. | Project Submittal | Public |
| Project Data Report template (coming soon) | The Project Data Report assists project developers in identifying high areas of risk, highlight important aspects of the protocol, and facilitate verification. | Verification | Public |
Protocol Development
The protocol development process for the U.S. and Canada Biochar Protocol involved a multi-stakeholder workgroup, public comment period, and responses to public comments. For more information, please visit:
Please contact [email protected] with questions or comments.