Isometric Biochar Protocol
Operator: Isometric (registry + Certify platform)
Active biochar protocol: Biochar Production and Storage v1.3 (registry)
What it credits: Ex-post net CO₂e removal = stored − counterfactual − lifecycle emissions
Minimum durability: Project must provide storage > 200 years
This note is the map of the Isometric biochar cluster. Child notes hold permanence math, MRV cycle, and storage modules. Research dump: /workspace/biochar-research/isometric-biochar-deep-dive.md (2026-09-16).
Cross-standards: Verra vs Isometric vs Puro · Puro vs Other Standards · Verra VM0044 · Puro.earth Overview · CSI Global Biochar C-Sink.
Why it matters for biochar
Isometric is a modular CDR program: one production/storage protocol plus specialized soil, low-oxygen burial, and built-environment modules (plus production variants for mobile / distributed / combustion co-product). It is currently the clearest mainstream path to 1000-year biochar claims via random reflectance (R₀) / inertinite science (inertinite permanence benchmark), while still offering a 200-year Woolf-style path for projects without petrographic labs.
Registry positioning claim: “largest certifier of carbon removal by contracted volume”; “fully accredited by ICVCM, ICROA, and CORSIA” (protocol page) — treat as operator claims; confirm category-level CCP status separately for diligence.
Related: Biochar as Durable CDR · Permanence Science for Credits · MRV Stack · Carbon Markets Hub · Materials and Built Uses
Cluster map
| Note | Role |
|---|---|
| Isometric Biochar Protocol (this page) | Hub / architecture / net CDR equation |
| Isometric Permanence Pathways 200y and 1000y | Soil 200y vs Ro 1000y math |
| Isometric Project Cycle and MRV | PDD → V/V → ex-post issuance; CoC |
| Isometric Modules Soil Built Burial | Storage module applicability |
| Verra vs Isometric vs Puro | Decision chooser |
Protocol architecture
Isometric Standard
↓
Biochar Production and Storage v1.3
├── Biomass Feedstock Accounting
├── GHG Accounting / Energy Use Accounting
├── Production modules (mobile / distributed / combustion co-product)
└── Storage modules
├── Soil Environments v1.3 → 200y or 1000y
├── Low Oxygen Burial v1.1 → ≥1000y
└── Built Environment v1.0+ → >1000y
Protocol cites ISO 14064-2:2019 and references ISO 14064-3, 14040/44. Literature review during development explicitly assessed Puro Edition 2025, Verra VM0044 v1.2, and CSI C-Sink standards (protocol Sources).
Minimum review cadence: at least every 2 years or when science/policy changes (protocol Future Versions).
Net CDR equation
[ CO_2e_{Removal,RP} = CO_2e_{Stored,RP} - CO_2e_{Counterfactual,RP} - CO_2e_{Emissions,RP} ]
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Stored | Durable organic C in biochar × mass × (F_{durable}) (module-specific) × 44.01/12.01 |
| Counterfactual | Biogenic C that would have remained durable without the project (Feedstock Accounting Module) |
| Emissions | Establishment + operations + end-of-life allocation + leakage |
Issuance is ex-post after durable storage (protocol; science article).
Applicability gates (protocol)
Projects must:
- Provide net-negative CO₂e impact per GHG Statement
- Meet ESS / no disproportionate harm to underserved communities
- Be additional (Isometric Standard; project-specific)
- Provide long-duration storage > 200 years
Ownership: single contractual Project Proponent for credits when multi-party supply chains exist — Double Counting and Credit Ownership.
Snapshot vs Verra / Puro
| Dimension | Isometric | Verra VM0044 | Puro Ed. 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon | 200y / 1000y | 100y | CORC200+ |
| Facility newness | Not greenfield-locked | New (v1.x) | New/Retrofit/Repurpose |
| Soil H/Corg gate | < 0.5 (+ O/Corg < 0.2) | ≤ 0.7 | Model domain in method |
| Ro / inertinite | Crediting path | Not Table 3 basis | Encouraged, not quantifying |
| Buffer (soil) | Often 0% | VCS risk tools | No default buffer |
| Public index | — | — | CORCCHAR/CORCX |
Detail: Verra vs Isometric vs Puro.
Notable projects (examples)
| Project | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Charm Range & Plains Biochar | Land application; issued certificates on registry; Fort Lupton CO | registry |
| Carba Burnsville | Landfill daily cover / low-oxygen; Microsoft 44,000 credits / 5 years | registry; Carba press |
Primary links
- Biochar Production and Storage v1.3
- Soil Storage Module v1.3
- Low Oxygen Burial v1.1
- Built Environment v1.0
- Certified protocol article
- Built module article
- Woolf et al. 2021
- Sanei et al. 2024