Proposed Tool for Sustainable Biomass

The proposed new VCS tool provides procedures and requirements for using biomass feedstocks to generate GHG emission reductions or carbon dioxide removals, including:

1. Identification of the biomass origin and trace biomass movement through the supply chain to end-use
2. Demonstration that traced biomass feedstocks meet the definition of renewable biomass and are produced using sustainable management practices relevant to that feedstock
3. Prevent project activities from using biomass feedstocks that do not meet the definition of renewable biomass
4. Phase out use, or increased use relative to the baseline, of biomass feedstocks that do not meet the definition of renewable biomass
5. Account for emissions from the cultivation, transportation, diversion from other uses, and processing of biomass feedstocks

The tool consolidates elements of existing tools and modules, such as CDM TOOL16 Project and leakage emissions from biomass and VMD0059 CO2 Capture from Bioenergy.

Verra is looking for support should the development of this new tool proceed. Please contact methodologies@verra.org and indicate your specific level(s) of interest. Please include the Methodology Development ID# M0441 in the subject line.

• Funders – stakeholders interested in providing funding to cover costs associated with developing the proposed tool
• Technical Contributors – stakeholders interested in providing professional expertise (in-kind or as a paid consultant) to help draft or prepare content for the tool
• Independent Expert Reviewer – stakeholders interested in serving as an independent expert reviewer once the draft tool is ready (see Section 3.5: Independent Expert Review of the VCS Methodology Development and Review Process (PDF)
• General interest – Stakeholders interested in developing projects that this tool might enable are encouraged to reach out and share their estimates and plans for future project development. This helps Verra to better understand the demand for this proposed new tool.

• The methodology idea note (MIN) is being led by Verra, and is under feasibility assessment (see “Step 1.7: Verra conducts a feasibility assessment” of the VCS Methodology Development and Review Process (PDF))