BioCarbon Standard (BCR)

What Is the BioCarbon Standard?

The BioCarbon Standard (BCR) is a certification and registration program that develops Carbon and Biodiversity Standards aligned with environmental and social sustainability efforts. Managed by Global CarbonTrace (GCT), its registry platform supports projects in sectors like renewable energy, transportation, waste management, and Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU). These projects contribute to climate change mitigation and are eligible for Verified Carbon Credits (VCCs) in the global carbon market.

Why Is the BioCarbon Standard Important?

The BioCarbon standard is important because it ensures that greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions or removals are real, additional, measurable, and permanent, the BCR supports efforts to reduce GHG emissions. It also aids host countries in achieving their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, promoting sustainable development and improving local communities' quality of life.

What Projects Qualify for BioCarbon Standard Verification?

Projects aiming to reduce GHG emissions or enhance carbon sequestration can benefit from BCR verification. Eligible initiatives include:

• Renewable Energy Projects: Solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy generation.
• Transportation Solutions: Projects that lower emissions through efficient transport systems.
• Waste Management Improvements: Innovative methods for waste handling and disposal.
• AFOLU Activities: Agricultural and forestry projects that increase carbon sequestration.

By obtaining BCR verification, these projects can access the global carbon market and contribute to global climate goals.

What Is the Verification Process for BioCarbon Standard?

The verification process for the BioCarbon Standard involves several key stages to ensure that projects meet rigorous environmental and social criteria:

1. Validation: Project developers submit a detailed project description, including baseline data, estimated GHG emission reductions or removals, and a monitoring plan. An accredited Certification Body, such as Applus+ Certification (LGAI Technological Centre, S.A) , assesses the project's activities and baseline against defined criteria to confirm compliance with BCR requirements.
2. Verification: After successful validation, the project undergoes verification—a systematic, independent, and documented evaluation of the GHG declaration against verification criteria. This step ensures that the reported emission reductions are real, additional, measurable, and permanent.
3. Issuance of Verified Carbon Credits: Upon successful verification, BioCarbon issues Verified Carbon Credits (VCCs) for the project. These credits represent quantified GHG emission reductions or removals that can be traded in the global carbon market.

Projects can choose to register with the BioCarbon Registry either after the validation process is complete or concurrently with validation and the first verification. BioCarbon prioritises quality, integrity, and transparency throughout the certification and registration process, adhering to best practices and principles.

What Are the Objectives of the BioCarbon Standard?

The main objectives of the BioCarbon Standard are to:

• Ensure Quality in GHG Quantification and Management: Provide a robust framework for accurately measuring and managing GHG emission reductions and removals.
• Promote Compliance with Certification Rules: Uphold strict adherence to the rules and procedures governing the certification and registration of GHG projects.
• Maintain Program Integrity: Safeguard the efficiency and credibility of the BioCarbon GHG Crediting Program by enforcing high standards of verification and accountability.

These are coupled together with the following core principles:

• Total Coverage: Incorporate all relevant GHG emissions and removals.
• Coherence: Allow meaningful comparisons in GHG information.
• Accuracy: Minimise bias and uncertainty.
• Transparency: Provide sufficient information for informed decisions.
• Conservatism: Avoid overestimating emission reductions or GHG removals.

The standard is founded on principles such as total coverage of relevant GHG emissions and removals, coherence for meaningful comparisons, accuracy in reducing bias and uncertainty, transparency in disseminating information, and a conservative approach to avoid overestimations.

Why Choose Applus+ Certification for BioCarbon Verification?

Applus+ Certification is an independent, globally recognised body accredited by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). With auditors in over 20 countries and more than a decade of experience, we are approved by the BioCarbon Registry for validation and verification services.

Our expertise includes:

• Biomass Projects: Heat and power generation from biomass.
• Fuel Switching: Transitioning to lower-carbon fuels.
• Renewable Energy: Solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal projects.
• Energy Efficiency: Improvements in cooking equipment, lighting, climate control, and water pumping.
• Waste Management: Biogas capture, recycling systems, incineration, and gasification.
• Sewage Treatment: Advanced sewage management systems.
• Agricultural Waste: Managing waste from livestock farming.

By choosing Applus+ Certification, you benefit from our extensive experience, commitment to quality, and dedication to supporting projects that make a real difference in combating climate change.