Global Artisan C-Sink Standard Version 2.1 officially out now

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Global Artisan C-Sink Version 2.1

Global Artisan C-Sink Standard have provided guidelines, methodologies, criteria for measuring, reporting, and verifying carbon offset project through biochar production and application in the past few years. We have had several successful Artisan C-Sink Managers who have implemented the standard to work with Artisan Biochar Producers to produce biochar, increase their quality of life and, the most important thing, help the climate. Several questions raised during the past year about technicality led to the development of the new Global Artisan C-Sink Standard version 2.1.

After reviewing the feedback we gather during public review, we are pleased to announce that the new Global Artisan C-Sink Standard is now officially published.

What’s new in the standard?

• Pyrolysis Cook Stoves (TLUD micro gasifier) on the Eligible Technology.
• New calculation of Margin of Security.
• C-Sink units and Global C-Sink Registry.
• Methane emissions of TLUD stoves with pro-rata approach.
• Climate forcing of atmospheric methane.
• New formatting of the equations and the calculation example.
• Introduction of Project Design Documentation (more info below).

Transition phase

The new version of the standard complements the existing standard. The latest version will be applicable to new customers who are currently in the process of being registered as Artisan C-Sink Managers.

Our existing Artisan C-Sink Managers, a transition period until 31.12.2024 will be applied. Nevertheless, if you want to apply the new standard sooner, you are invited to.

Adjusted Certification Process for C-sinks

The sale of carbon sinks (C-sinks) has been steadily growing in recent years and continues to grow strongly. High credibility of realized C-sinks and transparency of the project are becoming increasingly important. To ensure this, a reliable certification of the C-sink according to a well-recognised standard is necessary, such the Global Artisan C-Sink Standard. Furthermore, the markets requirements on documentation of C-sinks and projects in the registry are increasing.

To meet this demand, Carbon Standards International has decided to adapt the process for certifying a C-sink and thus also meet the requirements of the International Carbon Reduction and Offsetting Accreditation (ICROA) as an example.


The adjusted process is now structured as follows:

Project Design Document

The Global Artisan C-Sink Manager creates a Project Design Document (PDD). In the past, a similar document, the Project Plan, was already required in the process. Like the Project Plan, the PDD also describes the Artisan project in more detail and comments on various points in the standard. For example, it discusses the pyrolysis technology, the actual producers (C-Sink Farmer, Artisan Pro or C-Sink Cooks), the introduction of biochar and how monitoring is ensured. Carbon Standards International has created a template to simplify this process. This already contains all the information on the standard. You therefore only need to add the company and project-specific data, similar to what you already know from the Project Plan.
The PDD is later linked to the corresponding C-sinks in the Global C-Sink registry and is therefore publicly accessible.

Monitoring Report

The data required to calculate the C-sink (see our bulk upload Excel template) must be monitored by the Artisan C-sink managers and recorded in the IT tools (dMRV). This data forms the basis for the monitoring report.

This monitoring report is created for the submitted C-sinks and published in the registry.

Validation

The certification body CERES-CERT evaluates the information in the PDD and the Monitoring Report. CERES-CERT creates a validation report and confirms that the submitted project is realistic and feasible, and that the data in the Monitoring Report are complete.
The costs for this validation will be billed at an hourly rate, similar to the inspection costs.

Verification

Verification corresponds to the current on-site inspection by CERES-CERT, with which you are already familiar. During the inspection, both the project and the data in the Monitoring Report are annually reviewed. The inspection is summarized in a verification report by CERES-CERT. This report includes any nonconformities from the inspection and your corrective actions. This process remains the same for you as usual. The only difference is that an additional report is created, which is publicly viewable in the Global C-Sink registry.

Responsibilities and Data Protection

The Artisan C-Sink Manager, as the first owner of the C-Sink, is responsible for tracing the process chain back to the production of the biochar used and submitting all 4 documents (PDD, monitoring report, validation report, verification report) for each process step with the application for certification of the C-Sink.

The protection of your data and supply chains is very important to us. Therefore, all documents are coded and do not contain any personal or company-related data. An exception is the PDD, which contains the name of the project and the name of the quality manager (contact person, often the Artisan C-Sink Manager).

Implementation phase

The changeover will take place together with the publication of the new Global Artisan C-Sink Standard Version 2.1. The new procedures will apply to all new projects. A transition period until 31 December 2024 will apply to all projects already in the process. Nevertheless, if you want to apply the new procedures for existing projects sooner, you are invited to.

You are welcome to participate in our webinar, where we will explain the procedures and documents and answer your questions.

We are looking forward to your participation and are happy to answer any questions.

Best regards

Carbon Standards International AG

Dominic Hafner
CTO Biochar, PM Global Artisan C-Sink

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