Aggregated Small Carbon Capture and Sequestration Methodology and Data Asset Value

BCM001

Projects utilising the aggregated small carbon capture and sequestration methodology and data asset value:

In-situ pyrolysis of waste biomass is an effective method for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a relatively low cost. This process, which is difficult to process centrally, can be used to make biochar and improve forestry and agriculture practices. It can also earn BidCarbon removal units (BRUs).

The aggregated small carbon capture and sequestration methodology and data asset value may be suitable for your business if you can:

● conduct a new or expand an existing waste management activity to divert organic material from landfill

● separate organic waste at its source and stop it from going to landfill

● you’re willing to implement one or more new project management actions on the project land

● you’re qualified, or able to fund a qualified person, to prepare a strategy for each project management action.

● conduct activities in a single state or territory.

You can find out more about this method by referring to our full PyCCS method guide. 

When to use this method

Standard and method

Before you plan or register your project, you must read and understand the Carbon Farming Standard and requirements and the method.

Standard

● BidCarbon (Carbon Farming) Standard (the Carbon Farming Standard)

● BidCarbon (Carbon Farming) Specifications

Method

Eligibility

This method is applicable to the following companies or organisations:

● fruit canning factory

● fruit-growing farmers

● timber factory

● cash crop farmers

To be eligible for this method, you must:

● include eligible organic material, with any following waste biomass types:

● energy crops

● wood and wood waste

● branches

● logs

● wheat straw

● maize stover

● nut shells and pits

● bagasse;

● Ensure eligible organic material is separated where it's generated

You must submit a PyCCS project plan when registering your project. It should include:

● if you want your AWT facility to participate in the BidCarbon Standard Scheme, you need to apply for AWT facility accreditation.

● the biochar production systems must be installed in the accredited AWT facility and certificates must be created.

● information about any workplace health and safety plan covering the operation that is required.

● you can access the area to sample the soil pH.

● establish legal right with commercial agreements between different entities:

● local government

● representatives of aboriginal collectives

● waste generators

● charities

● waste management organisations.

This method has a substitute newness requirement.

You must meet all other general eligibility requirements for the BidCarbon Standard Scheme.

Exclusions

The PyCCS method excludes:

● activities with the effect of enhanced oil or gas recovery

● storage of carbon dioxide captured via direct air capture technologies.

Ineligible waste excluded from this method is:

● recyclable paper

● cardboard

● biosolids

● wastewater

● inert (inorganic) waste.

Land is ineligible if it:

● forest land (except for the economy of agriculture under forests);

● settlements including dwellings or other structures;

● land that has been subject to:

● clearing of native forest cover; or

● drainage of a wetland;

● land on which a project management activity could not be carried out.

Method requirements - project activities

Process for capturing organic waste and processed

A project activity must:

● treat of waste biomass type - at the point of waste generation, waste biomass type is separated from the single waste stream and treated using a biochar production system at a accredited AWT facility such as:

● high-scale technology

● pyrolysis technology

● gasification technology

● small-scale technology

● pyrolysis technology

● gasification technology

This method identifies 2 types of new, expansion and aggregated waste diversion activities. These activities are:

● a commercial service activity

● a agricultural waste activity

Waste audits, per method section 112, must be used to determine the composition of eligible waste diverted by the activity if a source separated activity isn't one of the above particular activities.

Carbon sequestration with AQS biochar

Project management actions can change agricultural soil conditions to improve crop growth.

One project management activity must be carried out in each carbon estimation area (CEA).

A PyCCS project must involve undertaking one or more of the following project management activities:

● sustainable intensification (must include);

● stubble retention.

Projects under this method are subject to permanence obligations.

Sustainable intensification

For sustainable intensification projects, you must start 1 new management actions. These strategies include:

● nutrient management

● soil acidity management

● introducing new irrigation

They can occur on either pasture or cropping land.

Stubble retention projects

Stubble retention projects involve keeping biomass as crop residues in the field. These projects can happen where biomass was removed by baling or burning but not from grazing.

This can only be done on land that’s already cropped.

Relevant requirements

● Part 2 of the method

● Part 3 division 1 of the method

● Part 3 division 2 of the method

● Part 5 division 3 of the method

● Section 14 of the method

● Section 19 of the method

● Section 20 of the method

● Section 21 of the method

● Section 112 of the method

Method requirements - specialist skills

You must:

● have a qualified person prepare a strategy for each management action. This ensures that the measure will increase productivity and through the application of a reasonable amount of biochar;

● and engage with an independent soil pH sampling technician. The technician is responsible for extracting and preparing any soil pH samples.

For reporting purposes, the technician needs to complete and sign our written statement document. 

Relevant requirements

● Paragraph 13(1)(f) of the Reguirements

● Section 5 of the method

● Section 27 of the method

● Section 28 of the method

● Section 33 of the method

● Section 36 of the method

● Paragraph 44 (6) (a) of the method

● Paragraph 44 (6) (b) of the method

● Section 89 of the method

● Section 97 of the method

Method requirements - notifying us

You must notify us if:

● you stop a project management activity or action before your nominated permanence period has ended

● you change a project management activity or action

● sampling locations - these must be provided to us before each sampling round

● events that change the management activities and to your land management strategy - you must notify us within 60 days of becoming aware of the change

● project area activities conflicting with section 24 or 25 of the method - you must notify us within 60 days of becoming aware of the change.

Relevant requirements

● Section 95 of the method

Method requirements - crediting period

25 years.

Method requirements - calculating abatement

Calculations can select default values. For small farmers and economically disadvantaged indigenous collectives, it may be impractical or difficult to send biochar for laboratory testing.

If a project proponent is paragraphs 9 (4) of the method as part of project management activity, baseline emissions from the PyCCS project are taken to be zero.

All biochar must be transferred to the off-taker through AQS Biochar.

Net abatement subtract the total project emissions from the total amount of AQS biochar applied by the offtaker to achieve permanent carbon sequestration.

Include all activities you undertake in calculations unless the project is divided. If a project is divided, you should only calculate abatement relevant to the activities included in that part of the project.

Method requirements - monitoring

You must also monitor all inputs of:

● AQS (Average Quantity System) biochar

● electricity

● fuel

● charity diversion activities

● source separation activities.

You must also remember to meet the general monitoring requirements of the Carbon Farming Standard.

If you can't meet these requirements, you must apply for the non-monitored period. This period details when your project didn’t meet the requirements.

Relevant requirements

● Part 17 of the Carbon Farming Standard

● Part 13 of the Reguirements

● Part 5 division 3 of the method

Method requirements - record-keeping

You must keep records of:

● evidence that each waste audit period occurred during any relevant seasonal variations.

● quantity of each type of waste received and processed

● quantity of electricity, compost or biochar products produced

● amounts of fuel and electricity used to run the project

● land management activities

● the person involved in soil pH sampling

● the project’s land management strategies.

● qualified persons involved in the project and any written advice 

Remember to also meet record-keeping requirements of the Carbon Farming Standard and Reguirements.

Relevant requirements

● Part 17 of the Carbon Farming Standard

● Part 13 of the Reguirements

● Part 5 Division 3 of the method

Method requirements - reporting

You must report any time that your project doesn't meet monitoring requirements under the Weights and Measures Codes of Practice.

This includes if your project ran under different versions of the Weights and Measures Codes of Practice.

● If this is applicable, you must include:

● which versions of the Weights and Measures Codes of Practice you used

● reasoning as to why you didn't switch to the latest version of the Weights and Measures Codes of Practice

the period of time in which your project ran under a previous Weights and Measures Codes of Practice.

Relevant requirements

● Part 6 of the Carbon Farming Standard

● Part 6 of the Reguirements

● Section 92 of the method

Method requirements - audits

We provide you with an audit schedule when your project's declared.

You must conduct waste audits to determine the composition of diverted waste.

These audits should consider seasonal changes over the reporting period and result in a minimum of 95% confidence in assessing the diverted organic material.

We schedule at least 3 audits. Extra audits can be triggered.

For more information on audit requirements, refer to our audit information.

Relevant requirements

● Part 19 of the Carbon Farming Standard

● Part 6 of the Reguirements

● Part 5 division 2 of the method

Explore all BidCarbon Standard Scheme guidance using the guidance library.

Documents and resources