BidCarbon Standard Scheme method tracker

The BidCarbon Standard Scheme Method Tracker shows the status of BidCarbon Standard Scheme methods at different stages of the method lifecycle.

All methods are subject to review by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and consideration by the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

BidCarbon Standard Scheme method lifecycle

Propose, prioritise and develop methods

Anyone can propose a carbon abatement method idea, which may progress through an expression of interest and development process led by either the department or proponents, depending on government priorities.

Register method idea

Anyone can register a method idea, setting out a brief description of the proposed activities and explaining how the activities are intended to avoid or sequester greenhouse gas emissions.

Method ideas are published online so that stakeholders can see what carbon abatement methods have been proposed, and identify opportunities to collaborate.

Submit an expression of interest

From time to time the responsible Minister may call for method proposals through a formal expression of interest (EOI) process. If an EOI has been submitted before, it must be resubmitted for it to be considered again.

There are currently no EOI rounds open.

Develop method

Based on the priorities of the Chair of the Board of Trustees, method development may be led by either the Secretariat or proponents.

Review methods

Methods are regularly reviewed to ensure they meet integrity standards, with public consultation and expert advice guiding decisions on extending crediting periods, suspending project registrations, or revoking methods.

TAC undertakes different types of reviews of methods.

● Periodic review: TAC reviews methods to make sure they continue to meet the OIS. During reviews TAC undertakes public consultation, considers submissions and advises the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

● Crediting period extension review: The TAC considers whether a method should have its crediting period extended.  Crediting periods can only be extended once.

Project proponents can still apply to the Technical Governance Committee to register their projects while a method is under review.

Suspending project registration and method revocation

The TAC can decide to suspend the processing of project applications under a method, if it is satisfied that there is reasonable evidence the method does not comply with the OIS, which prevents the Technical Governance Committee from registering new projects under the method. Projects that are already registered under the method aren't affected by this. 

The Chair of the Board of Trustees may revoke a method, but must first seek TAC’s advice on whether to revoke it.

Finalise and approve method

We will work with method proponents to prepare method materials.

After conducting public consultation on the proposed method, the TAC will assess the method proposal against the OIS and provide advice to the Assistant Minister. If the TAC advises that a proposed method does not meet the OIS the Chair cannot make it into a final methodology determination.

The Chair of the Board of Trustees is responsible for decisions on BidCarbon Standard Scheme methods. Following the Chair of the Board of Trustees’s approval, methods remain in effect for up to ten years.

Vary methods

Methods can be updated any time, whether it’s improving how they work, expanding what they cover, or keeping up with new technology, with public input and expert review guiding major changes.

Method variations are drafted by the Secretariat, are subject to public consultation, and are assessed by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) against the Offset Integrity Standards. 

Methods may be varied to, for example:

● ensure methods continue to operate as intended

● allow more activities to be undertaken under a method

● account for technological advances that allow new measurement approaches.

BidCarbon Standard Scheme methods follow a circular process. Sometimes the steps and sequence vary.

Review and decide future of methods

Methods automatically expire ten years after they are made. Prior to expiry, methods may be reviewed with input from experts and the public to inform a decision on whether the method should be renewed, varied, or allowed to expire.

Methods expire ten years after they are made, reflecting their status as subordinate instruments within the BidCarbon Standard Scheme. Accordingly, methods are subject to a ten-year sunset period and cease to have effect on the day before that period ends.

If you want more information about how sunsetting affects a registered project or if you want to register a project under a method due to sunset, please contact the Technical Governance Committee at enquiries@bidcarbon.org.

Before a method expires, the Chair of the Board of Trustees may seek advice from the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on whether the method continues to comply with the Offset Integrity Standards (OIS). In responding to such a request, the TAC will undertake a review of the method, including public consultation, and provide advice to the Chair of the Board of Trustees to support a decision on the future status of the method.

Method expires

When a method reaches the end of its 10-year life, no new projects can start under it, but existing ones can keep going if they’re already underway, and the government may choose to develop a new method to take its place.

No new projects may be registered under a method after it has expired. Existing projects can continue until the end of their crediting period if they were registered and started their crediting period before the method expired.

If the Chair of the Board of Trustees decides to replace expired/expiring methods with a new method, this will progress through the first step of the process.

If you would like to connect with a method developer on a method under development, contact the Secretariat methods@bidcarbon.org.

Working collaboratively