This is an archival representation of v1.1 of this pathway. View the latest version here.
CDR Verification Framework
This is an interactive tool for understanding Verification Confidence Levels (VCLs) for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) by mapping key uncertainties for different CDR pathways. Developed in collaboration between CarbonPlan and Frontier. Read the explainer article, the Frontier post, or methods for more detail.

Biochar
v1.1
VCL
1-3


Component
Uncertainty
Biomass feedstock
Biomass transformation
Feedstock storage counterfactual
Feedstock use counterfactual
Indirect land use change
Change in agricultural lime use
Biochar degradation
Soil carbon impacts
Change in fertilizer use
Change in agricultural yields
Materials
Energy
Biochar storage
Biochar
v1.1
VCL
1-3
Biochar is a type of biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS) that uses photosynthesis to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere, and transforms biomass to achieve longer-term storage of biomass carbon. Here, we specifically consider biochar that is applied to agricultural fields. This pathway is VCL 1-3, meaning that current quantification capacity may be able to establish permanent carbon removal, but that for certain approaches, significant uncertainties remain, primarily driven by the uncertainty around biochar durability. View pathway documentation.
Total Carbon RemovalCO₂e
=DrawdownCO₂e - EmissionsCO₂e
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Materials
Energy
Project activity
Biomass transformation
Biochar application
Biomass feedstock
Feedstock storage counterfactual
Feedstock use counterfactual
Indirect land use change
Change in agricultural lime use
Soil carbon impacts
Change in fertilizer use
Change in agricultural yields
Biochar storage
Biochar degradation