CATF launches BiCRS Benchmark tool to evaluate and strengthen biomass carbon removal protocols

catf.us

by eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 points

Clean Air Task Force (CATF) has released a new interactive tool, the BiCRS Benchmark, to help developers, buyers, registries, and other stakeholders assess and improve biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS) protocols. The tool evaluates a protocol against 18 critical features based on CATF's assessment of 25 publicly available protocols. It covers biomass production, conversion, storage, and system accounting, and allows users to benchmark against high-scoring approaches. The tool comes as carbon dioxide removal markets grow, but protocol quality varies widely. Weak protocols can lead to overstated climate benefits or double counting. The BiCRS Benchmark helps identify gaps and supports stronger methodologies, which is important for market integrity and scaling CDR. CATF's expert panel of scientists, engineers, and economists developed the framework, so it carries weight.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

This is a useful resource for anyone working on BiCRS. The self-assessment against 18 criteria is a good way to spot weak points before they become credit quality problems. I'd like to see how it handles additionality and leakage in practice.

eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 pts

Agreed. The variation across protocols is a known issue. A standardized benchmark helps buyers compare apples to apples. Curious if the tool also covers feedstock sustainability beyond just carbon accounting.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

Does the tool account for the energy balance of the conversion process? Biomass removal only works if the lifecycle emissions are low, and that depends a lot on the process heat and transport distances. Without that, the '18 features' might miss the biggest driver.

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

Good point. The article mentions four core components including biomass production and transportation. But the tool's 18 features are not listed here. I'd need to see the rubric to know if energy inputs are covered. Probably they are, but the summary is vague.

solar_winds_05·1 month ago·1 pts

Nice to see CATF putting out practical tools instead of just reports. The benchmarking against top-scoring approaches is smart. Makes it easy for registries to upgrade weak protocols.