CDR Verification Framework Documentation
Docs: Component
Change in fertilizer use
Uncertainty
In agricultural contexts, a CDR intervention — like the application of a weathering mineral or biochar — could potentially change fertilizer use. Applied minerals may contain trace amounts of phosphorus and potassium, which could potentially reduce fertilizer requirements, and alkaline silicates could potentially improve plant nitrogen uptake. Applied biochar could shift nutrient retention or availability, dependent on its chemical and pyhsical properties. Due to the potentially difficult nature of the counterfactual scenarios involved, quantifying these impacts may be challenging. If they are quantified, we recommend any associated avoided emissions be understood as a co-benefit and excluded from the calculation of net carbon removal.
Applicable pathways
Pathway
VCL
Biochar
1-3
Revision history

Apr 01 2024
Edited to characterize potential avoided emissions as co-benefit that should be excluded from the calculation of net carbon removal. See this blog post for more details.

Apr 10 2023
Edited for cross-pathway consistency in response to the addition of the Biochar pathway.

Sep 19 2022
First release.
Change in fertilizer use
Uncertainty
In agricultural contexts, a CDR intervention — like the application of a weathering mineral or biochar — could potentially change fertilizer use. Applied minerals may contain trace amounts of phosphorus and potassium, which could potentially reduce fertilizer requirements, and alkaline silicates could potentially improve plant nitrogen uptake. Applied biochar could shift nutrient retention or availability, dependent on its chemical and pyhsical properties. Due to the potentially difficult nature of the counterfactual scenarios involved, quantifying these impacts may be challenging. If they are quantified, we recommend any associated avoided emissions be understood as a co-benefit and excluded from the calculation of net carbon removal.
Applicable pathways
Pathway
VCL
Revision history

Apr 01 2024
Edited to characterize potential avoided emissions as co-benefit that should be excluded from the calculation of net carbon removal. See this blog post for more details.

Apr 10 2023
Edited for cross-pathway consistency in response to the addition of the Biochar pathway.

Sep 19 2022
First release.