Verra has opened a public consultation on a major revision (methodology development ID #M0226) to VM0044 Biochar Use in Soil and Non-Soil Applications in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. The revised methodology would be published as version 2.0 of VM0044. The consultation will run from July 15 through August 17, 2026.

VM0044 quantifies the carbon dioxide removals resulting from the conversion of waste biomass into biochar at new biochar production facilities. Eligible soil and non-soil applications include crop and grasslands, and emerging products such as biochar-amended concrete and building materials. This methodology is applicable globally.

The major revision is intended to strengthen the accuracy, transparency, conservativeness, and consistency of emission reduction quantification while ensuring the methodology reflects current scientific evidence, operational experience, and evolving best practices for biochar projects.

This major revision to VM0044 includes the following updates:

  • Expansion of eligibility to existing biochar production facilities
  • Inclusion of detailed criteria for high-technology biochar production facilities
  • Replacement of standardized approach (positive list) with the project method approach for demonstration of additionality
  • Expansion of eligibility of feedstocks, including invasive species and other new (not purpose-grown) feedstocks
  • Introduction of monitoring approaches for measuring key parameters, including hydrogen to organic carbon ratio of biochar and moisture content
  • Inclusion of procedures for calculating feedstock transport emissions
  • Consideration of safe storage and transport of biochar
  • Inclusion of requirements for uncertainty analysis and assessment
  • General editorial improvements

Verra hired Canadian Biomass Energy Research as a technical consultant to draft this methodology revision.

ICVCM Assessment

In 2025, the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) approved VM0044, v1.2 as meeting the requirements of the Core Carbon Principles (CCP) Assessment Framework. Verra will also submit VM0044, v2.0 to the ICVCM for assessment.

FEEDBACK

Please see the proposed revision document (PDF) for the full background and details about the proposed updates.

Verra is accepting feedback through its digital public consultation platform, which is hosted on the Verra Project Hub. Stakeholders will need to use the link provided to enter their personal details, confirm their email address, and access the online consultation form. For additional guidance, please review the user guide (PDF).

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Comments may be submitted electronically via the online form by 11:59 pm Anywhere on Earth (UTC-12) on August 17, 2026. If you experience issues using the digital public consultation platform or have feedback on it, please contact hubsupport@verra.org.

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