Revision to VM0043: Methodology for CO2 Utilization in Concrete Production, v1.0

VM0043 v1.0 (PDF) is applicable to project activities that use waste CO₂ as a feedstock in the production of concrete. GHG emissions are reduced by incorporating waste CO₂ in concrete and lowering the amount of cement required in the production of concrete.

The proposed major revision to VM0043 will entail the following elements (inter alia):

1. Incorporation of the ICVCM recommendations on the inclusion of natural carbonation of concrete in the project scenario and project-based calculations (instead of default values) of various parameters, like mineralisation efficiency, where applicable
2. Inclusion of an alternative to the default upstream displacement factor for cement displacement
3. Removing the default energy intensity of CO₂ procurement (Appendix V) and requiring the use of the provisions in the CCS+ capture and transport modules, as applicable
4. Including the procedure for determining the quantity of Portland cement that would have been used in the baseline (^Q_cement,i,b,y) for interventions that produce concrete without any Portland cement in the project scenario
5. Including more information and/or guidance on the documentation required to indicate the quantity of Portland cement in each mix design in the baseline (^Q_cement,i,b,y)
6. Alignment with the latest methodology template and writing standard/style

Apart from the above elements, the major revision will consider including concrete wastewater as a potential source of CO₂ mineralisation and the energy/fuel saved due to reduced requirement of steam curing due to CO₂ mineralisation

The proposed methodology is globally applicable.

The proposed methodology is being developed by CarbonCure Technologies Inc. (external) and CarbonBuilt (external). On December 19, 2024, the development of this methodology was put on hold. Verra will consider resuming the development once the following criteria are met:

• Resources are available to support the methodology development process
• The development process can be prioritized over other VCS methodology development work according to the VCS Methodology Development and Review Process.

Verra will reassess whether to resume the development of this methodology in Q2 2025.

Stakeholders interested in collaborating during methodology development or developing projects that this methodology might enable are encouraged to contact methodologies@verra.org. Please include the Methodology Development ID# CN0128 in the subject line.