CDR Verification Framework Documentation
Docs: Pathway
Terrestrial Biomass Sinking
VCL
2-4
Terrestrial biomass sinking is a type of biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS) that uses photosynthesis to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere, and sinks that biomass to achieve long-term carbon storage. In addition to the carbon removal and durability uncertainties mapped below, there are important uncertainties about the ecosystem impacts of this approach. This pathway is VCL 2-4, meaning that current quantification capacity can establish permanent carbon removal, but for certain approaches, very significant uncertainties remain.
Version history

Apr 01 2024
v1.2
Edited the upstream components for consistency with other biomass-based CDR pathways. Separated out solid phase and dissolved phase deepwater storage. Read more about this update here. Changes did not change the overall VCL.

Apr 10 2023
Updated pathway to include an additional drawdown component ('Outgassing'). Updated the VCL to exclude the durability component ('Deepwater recirculation') as the uncertainty is covered by the 'Outgassing' component. This did not change the overall VCL. Further details on this update are available in this blog post

Sep 19 2022
First release.
Acknowledgments
This framework has been shaped by input and feedback from external experts, including CDR companies, scientists, and other CDR ecosystem actors. Any remaining mistakes or mischaracterizations are the authors’ sole responsibility.
Scientific Expert
v1.0
Fabiano Ximenes (NSW Government)
CDR Company
v1.0
Running Tide
Scientific Expert
v1.2
Anne Ware (NREL)
Scientific Expert
v1.2
Corinne Scown (LBNL)
MRV Company
v1.2
Matt Gammans (Isometric)
Scientific Expert
v1.2
Morgan Raven (UC Santa Barbara)
CDR Company
v1.2
Rewind
Scientific Expert
v1.2
Sarah Nordahl (LBNL)
Terrestrial Biomass Sinking
VCL
2-4
Terrestrial biomass sinking is a type of biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS) that uses photosynthesis to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere, and sinks that biomass to achieve long-term carbon storage. In addition to the carbon removal and durability uncertainties mapped below, there are important uncertainties about the ecosystem impacts of this approach. This pathway is VCL 2-4, meaning that current quantification capacity can establish permanent carbon removal, but for certain approaches, very significant uncertainties remain.
Version history

Apr 01 2024
Edited the upstream components for consistency with other biomass-based CDR pathways. Separated out solid phase and dissolved phase deepwater storage. Read more about this update here. Changes did not change the overall VCL.

Apr 10 2023
Updated pathway to include an additional drawdown component ('Outgassing'). Updated the VCL to exclude the durability component ('Deepwater recirculation') as the uncertainty is covered by the 'Outgassing' component. This did not change the overall VCL. Further details on this update are available in this blog post

Sep 19 2022
First release.
Acknowledgments
This framework has been shaped by input and feedback from external experts, including CDR companies, scientists, and other CDR ecosystem actors. Any remaining mistakes or mischaracterizations are the authors’ sole responsibility.
Scientific Expert
v1.0
Fabiano Ximenes (NSW Government)
CDR Company
v1.0
Running Tide
Scientific Expert
v1.2
Anne Ware (NREL)
Scientific Expert
v1.2
Corinne Scown (LBNL)
MRV Company
v1.2
Matt Gammans (Isometric)
Scientific Expert
v1.2
Morgan Raven (UC Santa Barbara)
CDR Company
v1.2
Rewind
Scientific Expert
v1.2
Sarah Nordahl (LBNL)