CDR Verification Framework Documentation
Docs: Component
Change in agricultural yields
Uncertainty
If applied to agricultural soils, biochar could impact agricultural yields, which is critical for understanding the broader impact of biochar use. While most literature suggests the potential for positive impacts on yields (dependent on biochar type and application strategy), there is some evidence documenting negative impacts on yields. Due to the potentially difficult nature of the counterfactual scenarios involved, we recommend this component not be included in the accounting of net carbon removal. If biochar application increases agricultural yields and by extension leads to avoided emissions, we recommend that these changes 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 any 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
First release.
Change in agricultural yields
Uncertainty
If applied to agricultural soils, biochar could impact agricultural yields, which is critical for understanding the broader impact of biochar use. While most literature suggests the potential for positive impacts on yields (dependent on biochar type and application strategy), there is some evidence documenting negative impacts on yields. Due to the potentially difficult nature of the counterfactual scenarios involved, we recommend this component not be included in the accounting of net carbon removal. If biochar application increases agricultural yields and by extension leads to avoided emissions, we recommend that these changes 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 any 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
First release.