The Monitoring Plan, Chain of Custody and QA/QC

The Monitoring Plan, Chain of Custody, and QA/QC

Producing biochar and recording data is not enough on its own. The project proponent must also prove to a third-party verifier that the biochar reached its intended application site, that the data is accurate, and that the accounting is complete. This is the purpose of the monitoring plan.

The Main Objective of Monitoring

The primary goal is to prove the carbon sink from the final application of biochar and to quantify all emissions resulting from the project scenario during the crediting period, prior to each verification.

Monitoring must cover all three stages of the project:

1. The sourcing stage (collection and transport of waste biomass)
2. The production stage (pyrolysis and biochar characterization)
3. The application stage (delivery and use of biochar in soil or non-soil products)

Quality Management Procedures

The project proponent must develop and apply a monitoring plan that follows the principles of ISO 14064-2. These principles include transparency, accuracy, completeness, consistency, and conservativeness.

Written procedures must be established for each measurement task. Each procedure must state:

• Who is responsible for taking the measurement
• When the measurement must be taken
• What equipment or method is used

Examples of measurements that need written procedures include: the mass of biochar produced (recorded at each production run), the production date and time, and the date and location of each biochar application.

Geographic Information Requirements

One of the most important aspects of monitoring is recording exactly where biochar was applied. This prevents double counting, where carbon credits could be claimed for the same carbon removal under both the biochar methodology and a separate soil organic carbon methodology applied to the same field.

Soil Applications

For each instance (field or plot) where biochar is applied to soil, the project proponent must provide:

• At least one geodetic coordinate (latitude and longitude) for the application site
• Sufficient additional geographic information to allow the verifier to sample the site

Non-Soil Applications

For biochar mixed into products such as concrete, asphalt, or building materials, the project proponent must provide:

• At least one geodetic coordinate for each location where biochar was applied or mixed into the material
• Appropriate monitoring methods to demonstrate that the proportion of material containing biochar is still in use and has not been converted to CO2. Statistically validated lifetime averages are one acceptable approach.

Chain of Custody

The project proponent must verify that biochar reaches its intended application site. This requires tracking biochar through the full supply chain, from the waste biomass collection point all the way to the final end-use application.

Acceptable chain of custody tools include:

• Paper or electronic tracking records
• Mobile or desktop tracking applications
• QR codes on biochar bags or batch containers
• Blockchain technology
• GPS coordinates recorded at the point of use
• Non-fungible tokens (NFTs)
• Any other software system that generates a documented record from sourcing to end-use application

Minimum Contents of the Monitoring Plan

VM0044 specifies that the monitoring plan must include at least the following four elements:

1. A description of each monitoring task and its technical requirements
2. The type of technology used to produce biochar (high technology or low technology)
3. Written logs of operation and maintenance of the project system
4. The roles, responsibilities, and capacity of the monitoring team and management

Data Management Requirements

The monitoring plan must also address how data is stored and protected:

• The project proponent must maintain an offsite electronic back-up of all logged data.
• Monitoring data must include: biochar batch number, quantity, type of application, geographic location of application, and proof that the biochar will not be burned or pyrolyzed again.
• Access to all platforms, records, and evidence must be available to the third-party verifier (VVB) at any time.

QA/QC Procedures

In addition to the monitoring plan, the project proponent must develop a separate QA/QC plan. This plan should include measures such as:

1. Protecting monitoring equipment (for example, using sealed meters and data loggers where applicable)
2. Protecting records of monitored data using both hard copy and electronic storage
3. Checking data integrity regularly and periodically throughout the monitoring period
4. Comparing current estimates with previous monitoring period estimates to check for unexpected data drift
5. Providing sufficient training to all personnel involved in sourcing, production, and application activities

Equipment Calibration

Any measurement and monitoring equipment used during biochar production must be calibrated according to current best practice. This means following relevant industry standards, the manufacturer's specifications, or guidance from the device supplier, whichever is most appropriate.

Laboratory analysis of biochar must follow international standards. Acceptable standards include the most recent version of the IBI Biochar Testing Guidelines or the EBC Production Guidelines.

Practical Example

Application Type Monitoring in Detail

Soil Applications

The project proponent must document where biochar was applied. At a minimum, one geodetic coordinate must be recorded for each field or plot instance. The verifier uses this information to physically inspect application sites and confirm the biochar is present in the soil.

Non-Soil Applications

For non-soil uses such as concrete or asphalt, the monitoring obligation ends when biochar is mixed into the long-lasting material. For example, if biochar is mixed into fresh concrete during production, the project proponent records the geodetic coordinate of the concrete mixing plant. The monitoring record shows that the biochar entered a permanent, non-combustible material at that location.

Summary

The monitoring plan is the backbone of a VM0044 project. Without complete, accurate, and well-documented monitoring, verified carbon credits cannot be issued. The chain of custody requirement ensures biochar reaches its intended application. Geographic documentation prevents double counting. Data back-up and retention requirements protect the project against future audit challenges. And a robust QA/QC plan reduces the risk of errors that could invalidate monitoring data.