GCC Opens Public Stakeholder Consultation on Draft Methodology for Durable Biochar Production

The Global Carbon Council (GCC) has launched a public stakeholder consultation on its draft methodology titled “Methodology for the Production of Durable Biochar” (GCCNMT008 v1.0). This methodology has been developed to support high-integrity carbon crediting for projects that permanently remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the production and application of biochar, in alignment with Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement and international best-practice standards.

The draft methodology introduces a scientifically robust and conservative framework for quantifying carbon removals achieved through biochar production from sustainable biomass feedstocks, while ensuring environmental integrity, transparency, and long-term permanence of stored carbon.

Rationale for the Methodology

Biochar has gained increasing recognition for its potential role in climate change mitigation, soil improvement, and sustainable waste management. However, existing carbon accounting frameworks do not fully address the complexity of biomass sourcing, biochar production technologies, and long-term carbon permanence.

The development of GCCNMT008 responds to the need for a dedicated and high-integrity carbon accounting and permanence framework for biochar-based carbon removal projects. The methodology provides clear guidance on baseline setting, additionality demonstration, accounting of project and leakage emissions, and robust monitoring requirements to ensure conservative and credible carbon removal estimates.

It has been designed in line with Article 6.4 rules and draws upon established tools and international scientific criteria for high-quality carbon dioxide removals.

Scope & Applicability

The methodology applies to project activities involving the production of biochar from eligible biomass sources and its application in eligible soil and non-soil uses that ensure long-term carbon permanence. Applicable project activities include:

• Production of biochar from waste, residue, by-product, or purpose-grown biomass using approved thermochemical processes such as pyrolysis or gasification.
• Application of biochar in agriculture, land restoration, or long-term built environment uses such as concrete and construction materials.
• Greenfield biochar facilities and eligible brownfield facilities that are rehabilitated or retrofitted for biochar production.

The methodology excludes low-technology biochar systems and non-permanent uses such as energy generation, short-lived consumer products, or livestock feed additives.

Key Features of the Draft Methodology

The draft methodology has been designed to ensure environmental integrity while remaining practical for implementation. Key features include:

• Clear eligibility criteria for sustainable biomass feedstocks, preventing deforestation, land conversion, and competition with food production.
• Strict quality thresholds for biochar, including Hydrogen-to-Carbon and Oxygen-to-Carbon ratios to ensure long-term stability of stored carbon.
• Robust additionality requirements consistent with Article 6.4 principles and common practice analysis.
• Comprehensive accounting of project and leakage emissions, including biomass transport, energy use, and embodied emissions of production facilities.
• Strong permanence safeguards, with conservative approaches based on scientifically recognized stability benchmarks for biochar carbon.
• Eligible end-use applications limited to long-term soil and non-soil uses that prevent reversal of stored carbon.
• Alignment with host country climate objectives, avoiding double counting and ensuring consistency with NDCs and long-term low-emission development strategies.

These features collectively support credible carbon removal accounting for biochar projects across multiple sectors.

Why This Matters

Durable carbon removals are essential for achieving global net-zero targets. By establishing a transparent and scientifically grounded methodology for biochar projects, GCCNMT008:

• Expands access to carbon finance for biochar and waste-to-carbon projects.
• Supports sustainable waste management and soil restoration alongside climate mitigation.
• Encourages investment in innovative carbon removal technologies in developing and emerging economies.
• Strengthens confidence in carbon credits generated from biochar-based carbon removal activities.
• Links carbon markets with real environmental and sustainable development outcomes.

This methodology reflects GCC’s continued commitment to integrity, transparency, and innovation in voluntary and compliance carbon markets.

How to Participate in the Public Consultation

The Global Carbon Council invites governments, project developers, validation and verification bodies, market participants, and other stakeholders to review the draft methodology and provide feedback to further strengthen its clarity, applicability, and environmental integrity.

• Comment period open until 6th March 2026
• Submit Comments To: operations@globalcarboncouncil.com