Public Consultation

Through the Public Consultation process, we invite stakeholders from around the world to actively contribute to the development and continuous improvement of documents and projects under our GHG, Biodiversity, and Water programs.

This page serves as a central hub where you can explore all documents and projects currently open for public consultation. Each consultation period remains open for a minimum of 30 calendar days from the date of publication. During this time, we welcome comments, suggestions, and observations from all interested parties.

Public consultation is essential to:

  • Ensure open and transparent interaction between BioCarbon and stakeholders;
  • Apply the guiding principles of our programs, including responsibility, quality, and integrity;
  • Uphold the right of individuals and organizations to influence decisions in a free, individual, and collective manner.

We encourage participation from a broad range of stakeholders, including:

  • Project developers, validation and verification bodies, and actors in national and international carbon, biodiversity, and water markets;
  • Relevant industry and sectoral stakeholders affected by the document in question;
  • Governmental and regulatory entities.

Explore the list of open consultations below.

© Istock - Tânia Carijio Zucchetti

Projects in Public Consultation

Public Consultation – Methodology BCR0020

BioCarbon Cert invites stakeholders to participate in the public consultation of the following methodology, Version 1.0:

BCR0020 – Material Recovery and Recycling from Solid Waste Streams

The methodology establishes requirements and procedures for quantifying net greenhouse gas emission reductions resulting from the recovery and effective recycling of eligible materials from solid waste streams

The methodology covers material-specific quantification pathways for eligible plastics, paper and cardboard, container glass, aluminum, steel and copper, as well as composite and multilayer materials containing one or more eligible constituent materials. Its principal accounting mechanism is the demonstrated displacement of virgin-material production by usable secondary or recycled material. Where applicable, it also accounts for avoided methane emissions from diverting eligible paper and cardboard from disposal pathways that would generate methane.

The consultation aims to receive technical feedback and stakeholder input to further strengthen the methodology prior to its final adoption.

Document under consultation:

Public consultation comment template:

Completed templates shall be submitted to:

biocarbon@biocarbonstandard.com

Call for Independent External Technical Review

BioCarbon Cert also invites independent experts interested in conducting the Independent External Technical Review of Methodology BCR0020.

Interested experts may submit their credentials, relevant experience, and a declaration confirming the absence of conflicts of interest, in accordance with the applicable Terms of Reference (ToR).

Submission of applications: biocarbon@biocarbonstandard.com

Public consultation period:

7 September 2026 – 7 October 2026

Public Consultation – Methodologies BCR0018 and BCR0019

BioCarbon Cert invites stakeholders to participate in the joint public consultation of the following methodologies, Version 1.0

BCR0018 – Avoided Methane Emissions from the Diversion and Alternative Treatment of Biodegradable Solid Waste from Solid Waste Disposal Sites

BCR0019 – Fossil Fuel Substitution in Industrial Thermal Processes

The methodologies address distinct and complementary mitigation outcomes associated with waste management and fossil fuel substitution.

The consultation aims to receive technical feedback and stakeholder input to further strengthen the methodologies prior to their final adoption.

Documents under consultation:

Public consultation comment template:

Completed templates shall be submitted to:

biocarbon@biocarbonstandard.com

Call for Independent External Technical Review

BioCarbon Cert also invites independent experts interested in conducting the Independent External Technical Review of either or both methodologies.

Interested experts may submit their credentials, relevant experience, and a declaration confirming the absence of conflicts of interest, in accordance with the applicable Terms of Reference (ToR).

Submission of applications: biocarbon@biocarbonstandard.com

Public consultation period:

13 August 2026 – 13 September 2026

Public Consultation | BBS0001 Methodology – Terrestrial Ecosystem and Biodiversity Conservation Activities

BioCarbon Cert opens the public consultation process for Version 4.1 of the BBS0001 Methodology – Terrestrial Ecosystem and Biodiversity Conservation Activities, of the BioCarbon Biodiversity Standard (BBS).

Version 4.1 establishes the methodological requirements for the quantification of BioCredits generated by biodiversity conservation Initiatives under the BBS. Among other aspects, the Methodology defines the criteria for delimiting the geographic boundaries of Initiatives, establishing the biodiversity baseline, characterizing the drivers of landscape transformation and biodiversity loss, demonstrating the additionality of conservation outcomes, defining conservation objectives and preservation, ecological restoration, and sustainable use activities, as well as the indicators, metrics, valuation approaches, and calculation procedures required to quantify BioCredits.

This Methodology applies exclusively to terrestrial ecosystems within landscape-based conservation contexts.

BioCarbon Cert invites stakeholders to assess, among other aspects, the clarity, applicability, consistency, and integrity of the requirements established in the Methodology, as well as their capacity to support biodiversity conservation Initiatives and high-integrity BioCredits.

Documents available for consultation

How to submit comments

Comments shall be submitted using the Public Consultation Comment Template made available by BioCarbon Cert. Comments shall be sent to:

biocarbon@biocarbonstandard.com

Subject line: Public Consultation Comments – BBS0001 Version 4.1

Consultation period

The public consultation will be open from August 10, 2026, to September 10, 2026.

Comments received after the closing date may not be considered as part of the formal public consultation process.

Public Consultation | BioCarbon Biodiversity Standard Version 5.0

BioCarbon Cert opens the public consultation process for Version 5.0 of the BioCarbon Biodiversity Standard (BBS).

Version 5.0 constitutes a comprehensive revision of the Standard and strengthens its outcome-based architecture. The new version introduces and further develops requirements related to the scientific and environmental integrity of biodiversity conservation outcomes and their temporal and spatial attribution, strengthened additionality and baseline requirements, the rights and participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, transparency, governance, independent auditing, BioCredit issuance, and traceability.

This new version of the BBS also introduces a framework for the coexistence of projects or Initiatives under different BioCarbon Programs, including multi-program areas, while maintaining the independence of their respective outcomes, methodologies, quantification, auditing, issuance, and traceability processes.

BioCarbon Cert invites stakeholders to assess, among other aspects, the clarity, applicability, consistency, and integrity of the requirements established in the Standard, as well as their capacity to support biodiversity conservation Initiatives and high-integrity BioCredits.

Documents available for consultation

The following documents will be available during the public consultation period:

 

How to submit comments

Comments shall be submitted using the Public Consultation Comment Template made available by BioCarbon Cert. Comments shall be sent to:

biocarbon@biocarbonstandard.com

Subject line: Public Consultation Comments – BBS Version 5.0

Consultation period

The public consultation will be open from August 7, 2026, to September 7, 2026.

Comments received after the closing date may not be considered as part of the formal public consultation process.

Public Consultation: BWS0003 Methodology for Managed Aquifer Recharge and Water Regulation Systems

BioCarbon Cert opens the public consultation process for the draft methodology BWS0003 – Managed Aquifer Recharge and Water Regulation Systems, developed under the BioCarbon Water Standard (BWS).

This methodology establishes the technical requirements and procedures for the quantification, monitoring and reporting of volumetric water benefits derived from managed aquifer recharge and water regulation activities. It is intended to support projects that increase groundwater recharge, improve underground water storage, regulate hydrological flows, enhance baseflow, support spring discharge, or improve water availability during dry or low-precipitation periods.

The methodology applies to engineered, nature-based, hybrid and traditional water management systems, provided that the resulting water benefits can be clearly delimited, monitored, quantified and attributed to the project activities.

Objective of the public consultation

The purpose of this public consultation is to receive comments, observations and technical inputs from interested parties on the scope, applicability conditions, eligible activities, baseline scenario, additionality, quantification approaches, monitoring requirements, uncertainty management, leakage assessment, aquifer protection, water quality safeguards and other provisions included in the draft methodology.

BioCarbon Cert invites project holders, conformity assessment bodies, technical experts, public authorities, academic institutions, communities, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, civil society organizations, water users, watershed managers and other stakeholders to review the draft and provide comments.

Documents available for consultation

The following document is available for public review:

BWS0003 – Managed Aquifer Recharge and Water Regulation Systems
Draft for Public Consultation.
Date: July 21, 2026

Download here

Activities covered by the draft methodology

The methodology may apply to activities such as:

  • managed aquifer recharge systems;
  • rehabilitation, recovery, expansion, optimization or operation of recharge systems;
  • infiltration ponds, infiltration lagoons, infiltration basins, infiltration fields or infiltration areas;
  • infiltration trenches, ditches, channels, recharge galleries and recharge wells;
  • traditional water management systems, including ancestral or community-based recharge and regulation systems;
  • nature-based, engineered or hybrid systems that contribute to groundwater recharge or hydrological regulation;
  • small-scale water regulation structures, check dams or equivalent systems, where they generate measurable water benefits;
  • other systems that increase recharge, underground storage or delayed water release within a defined hydrological or hydrogeological system.

The methodology does not apply to activities whose primary benefit is water quality improvement, wastewater treatment, remediation of surface water bodies, pollution reduction, eutrophication control, direct rainwater harvesting for use, or general soil infiltration improvement, unless the project holder demonstrates that the activity generates eligible managed aquifer recharge or water regulation benefits under this methodology.

How to submit comments

Comments may be submitted using the public consultation comment form available below:

Download comment form here

Completed comment forms shall be submitted to:

Email: biocarbon@biocarbonstandared.com
Subject line: Public Consultation Comments – BWS0003

Consultation period

The public consultation period will be open from:

Opening date: July 21, 2026
Closing date: August 21, 2026

Comments received after the closing date may not be considered in the final review process.

Review of comments

BioCarbon Cert will review the comments received during the public consultation period and may adjust, clarify or supplement the methodology before issuing the final approved version.

The publication of this draft methodology for public consultation does not constitute approval of the methodology. Unless expressly indicated otherwise by BioCarbon Cert, this draft shall not be used as a final approved methodology for conformity assessment, project registration or issuance of Verified Water Credits.

Public consultation – Methodology BCR00017

BioCarbon Cert invites stakeholders to participate in the public consultation of Methodology BCR00017 – Soil Carbon Removal through Agricultural Management and Mineral Weathering, corresponding to Version 1.0.

The purpose of this public consultation is to receive technical feedback and stakeholder input to further strengthen the methodology prior to its final adoption.

Public consultation documents available at: 
Methodology BCR00017 – Soil Carbon Removal through Agricultural Management and Mineral Weathering

Comments shall be submitted using the official public consultation comment template only, available at the following link

Completed templates shall be sent to: biocarbon@biocarbonstandard.com

Call for Independent External Technical Reviewer

As part of the public consultation process and in accordance with BioCarbon’s methodological governance framework, independent experts are also invited to conduct the Independent External Technical Review of Methodology BCR0017.

Interested experts may submit their credentials, relevant experience, and a declaration confirming the absence of any conflict of interest, in accordance with the requirements set out in the Terms of Reference (ToR).

Submission of applications:
biocarbon@biocarbonstandard.com

Public consultation period:
From July 17 to August 17, 2026

Public Consultation: BCR0011 – Sustainable Biochar Production, Carbon Removal and Long-Term Storage (Version 2.0)

BioCarbon Cert is pleased to announce the launch of the public consultation for BCR0011 – Sustainable Biochar Production, Carbon Removal and Long-Term Storage (Version 2.0).

BCR0011 is a Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) methodology designed to quantify, monitor, report, and verify greenhouse gas removals, emission reductions, methane avoidance, and durable carbon storage resulting from the sustainable production and application of biochar.

The methodology applies to projects that utilize eligible biomass feedstocks and approved thermochemical conversion technologies to produce biochar for long-term carbon storage in soil and non-soil applications.

Version 2.0 incorporates a comprehensive methodological revision intended to strengthen environmental integrity, scientific robustness, transparency, conservativeness, and alignment with emerging international best practices for durable carbon removals.

Key updates include:

  • Explicit classification as a Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) methodology;
  • Integration of the BioCarbon modular methodological framework, including mandatory application of the Baseline and Additionality Tool, Leakage Management Tool, Permanence and Risk Management Tool, Uncertainty Management Tool, and MRV Tool;
  • Strengthened renewable biomass eligibility and sustainability requirements;
  • Exclusion of purpose-grown biomass and non-eligible feedstock categories;
  • Enhanced baseline conservativeness provisions, including a zero-baseline approach unless robust evidence demonstrates otherwise;
  • Improved leakage identification, quantification, and management requirements;
  • Strengthened permanence provisions, including Stable Carbon Content (SCC) requirements, biochar stability criteria, and long-term carbon storage safeguards;
  • Revised eligibility requirements for biochar production technologies and end-use applications;
  • Enhanced monitoring, sampling, uncertainty management, and quality assurance requirements;
  • Alignment with evolving international best practices for biochar carbon removal and durable carbon storage.
 

Eligible biochar applications include soil incorporation, construction materials, durable composite materials, encapsulation, and other applications capable of demonstrating long-term carbon storage. Applications resulting in energy generation, combustion, biological degradation, activated carbon production, animal feed, water filtration, air purification, or other short-lived uses are not eligible under this methodology.

BioCarbon Cert invites project developers, validation and verification bodies, scientists, biochar producers, carbon market participants, policy experts, industry stakeholders, and the broader public to review the methodology and submit comments during the consultation period.

All comments received will be reviewed by the BioCarbon Technical Committee and considered during the development of the final approved version of the methodology.

Call for Independent External Technical Reviewer

As part of the public consultation process and in accordance with the BioCarbon methodological governance framework, BioCarbon is also inviting applications from qualified experts interested in conducting the Call for Independent External Technical Review of BCR0011.

The review will assess the methodology's scientific robustness, environmental integrity, conservativeness, permanence provisions, leakage management, uncertainty treatment, biomass sustainability requirements, quantification procedures, and alignment with high-integrity carbon market principles, including the ICVCM Core Carbon Principles (CCPs), Article 6 of the Paris Agreement , and other emerging CDR integrity frameworks.

The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Independent External Technical Review are available together with the consultation documents.

Interested experts are invited to submit their credentials, relevant experience, and conflict-of-interest disclosure in accordance with the requirements described in the ToR.

Public Consultation Document:
BCR0011 – Sustainable Biochar Production, Carbon Removal and Long-Term Storage (Version 2.0)

Independent External Review Terms of Reference (ToR):
BCR0011 – Independent External Technical Review

Public consultation period:
From June 10 to July 9, 2026.

Submission of Comments and Applications:

Comments shall be submitted using the official public consultation comment template only, available at the following link

Access the document and submit comments at: biocarbon@biocarbonstandard.com

BioCarbon Cert remains committed to advancing high-integrity environmental markets through transparent, science-based methodologies that support durable carbon removals, environmental integrity, and sustainable development.

Public consultation open: BCR0016 – Regenerative Agricultural Land Management (ALM)

BioCarbon Standard has opened the public consultation for BCR0016 – Regenerative Agricultural Land Management (ALM): Methodology for Soil Carbon Sequestration and Reduction of Non-CO₂ Emissions. This methodology has been developed to quantify net GHG emission reductions and removals from improved agricultural land management practices, including soil carbon sequestration and reductions in nitrous oxide and methane emissions, where applicable.

This document is released for public consultation purposes only and does not enter into force until formally approved and published by BioCarbon Cert. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments and technical observations for consideration in the final version.

Stakeholders are invited to submit comments using the official public consultation template, including specific references to the relevant sections of the document.

The document will be open for public consultation from April 15 to May 14, 2026.

The public consultation draft is available below.

Comments shall be submitted using the official public consultation comment template only, available at the following link

Access the document and submit comments at: biocarbon@biocarbonstandard.com

BioCarbon invites qualified technical experts to participate in the independent external review of this methodology. The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the review are available at the following link

BCR0015 – Improved Livestock and Grazing Management
Public Consultation Version 1.0

BioCarbon Standard has opened the public consultation for BCR0015 – Improved Livestock and Grazing Management, a methodological document developed to quantify net GHG emission reductions and removals from improved and regenerative livestock and grazing management practices.

The methodology applies to livestock systems in which project activities generate measurable changes in enteric methane emissions, manure management emissions, soil organic carbon, and, where applicable, biomass carbon.

This document is released for public consultation purposes only and does not enter into force until formally approved and published by BioCarbon Cert. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments and technical observations for consideration in the final version.

Stakeholders are invited to submit comments using the official public consultation template, including specific references to the relevant sections of the document.

The document will be open for public consultation from April 15 to May 14, 2026.

The public consultation draft is available below.

Comments shall be submitted using the official public consultation comment template only, available at the following link

Access the document and submit comments at: biocarbon@biocarbonstandard.com

BioCarbon invites qualified technical experts to participate in the independent external review of this methodology. The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the review are available at the following link

Public Consultation – BioCarbon Water Standard (BWS) v2.0

BioCarbon Cert invites all stakeholders to participate in the public consultation process for Version 2.0 of the BioCarbon Water Standard (BWS), a standard designed to support the sustainable management and conservation of water resources.

The BWS establishes a technical and operational framework for the evaluation of projects that generate quantifiable, additional, and verifiable water benefits, and for the issuance of Verified Water Credits (VWCs) based on monitored and verified results.

This new version introduces substantial improvements in the structure, methodological approach, and normative clarity of the Standard. It strengthens key elements including:

  • baseline definition, validity, and reassessment
  • leakage identification, quantification, and deduction
  • treatment of non-permanence and reversals
  • uncertainty management and conservative approaches
  • measurement hierarchy
  • ex post, performance-based issuance of credits
  • traceability and transparency through the registry system

The objective of this public consultation is to gather technical, operational, and conceptual feedback to further strengthen the robustness, applicability, and credibility of the Standard.

The consultation is open to:

  • project developers
  • Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs)
  • public and private entities
  • financial institutions
  • technical experts
  • local communities and Indigenous Peoples
  • other interested stakeholders

Stakeholders are invited to submit comments using the official public consultation template, including specific references to the relevant sections of the document.

The document will be open for public consultation from April 13 to May 12, 2026.

The public consultation draft is available below.

Comments shall be submitted using the official public consultation comment template only, available at the following link

Access the document and submit comments at: biocarbon@biocarbonstandard.com

All comments received will be reviewed by the BioCarbon technical team and may be considered in the development of the final version of the Standard.

BWS0002 – Rainwater harvesting for water security

BioCarbon Cert introduces the methodology BWS0002 – Rainwater harvesting practices. Capture and storage for water security (Version 1.0)under the BioCarbon Water Standard.

This methodology enables the design and implementation of projects that capture, store, and use rainwater to increase water availability at the local level, particularly in areas facing water stress or variability.

Using a clear and verifiable approach, BWS0002 quantifies the additional volume of water available (m³/year) generated by project activities compared to the baseline scenario. This volume forms the basis for the issuance of Verified Water Credits (CAV)..

The methodology is designed for use by:

  • project developers
  • governments and public institutions
  • NGOs and community organizations
  • companies seeking water solutions
 

BWS0002 enables stakeholders to:

  • implement decentralized water supply solutions;
  • reduce pressure on rivers, aquifers, and existing water systems;
  • strengthen water security for communities and productive systems;
  • generate measurable and verifiable water credits.
 

The methodological approach is aligned with international frameworks for sustainable water management and volumetric water benefit accounting, while remaining practical, accessible, and adaptable to different contexts.

BWS0002 creates a pathway for developing water projects with real and measurable impact, linking local solutions with results-based financing mechanisms.

Consultation period: 22/03/2026 to 22/04/2026

The public consultation draft is available below.

Comments shall be submitted using the official public consultation comment template only, available at the following link

Access the document and submit comments at: biocarbon@biocarbonstandard.com

BioCarbon Cert releases BCR0014 Version 1.0 for public consultation under the BioCarbon Standard

BioCarbon Cert announces the public consultation of BCR0014 – High Forest Low Deforestation (HFLD) Asia Pacific, a next-generation methodological framework developed under the BioCarbon Standard.

This methodology establishes a project-level approach to quantify emission reductions from REDD+ activities in HFLD contexts, with a specific focus on the Asia-Pacific region, where low historical deforestation coexists with increasing, non-linear future risks driven by evolving land-use dynamics.

BCR0014 introduces a forward-looking, driver-based baseline approach that moves beyond purely historical representations of deforestation. The methodology explicitly integrates drivers, agents, and enabling conditions, as well as conditional and trigger-based dynamics, ensuring that baseline scenarios are evidence-based, constrained, and auditable.

The framework strengthens environmental integrity through:

  • structured treatment of scenario selection uncertainty in forward-looking baselines;
  • explicit requirements for reference region representativeness and statistical robustness;
  • enhanced MRV provisions, including minimum accuracy thresholds for remote sensing-based monitoring; and
  • conservative treatment of leakage, uncertainty, and net emission reductions to prevent over-crediting.
 

This methodology is designed to address structural limitations observed in conventional approaches that rely predominantly on historical trends, particularly in HFLD contexts where past stability does not reflect future risk.

BCR0014 is not a variation of existing methodologies. It represents a next-generation methodological framework aligned with:

  • IPCC guidance on forward-looking baseline construction and uncertainty management;
  • ICVCM Core Carbon Principles, particularly regarding conservativeness and environmental integrity; and
  • Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, ensuring robust, transparent, and non-overstated accounting of emission reductions.
 

Consultation period: 20/03/2026 to 20/04/2026

The public consultation draft is available below.

Comments shall be submitted using the official public consultation comment template only, available at the following link

Access the document and submit comments at: biocarbon@biocarbonstandard.com

BioCarbon invites qualified technical experts to participate in the independent external review of this methodology. The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the review are available at the following link

Public Consultation - BCR0008 Methodology (Version 2.0)

Biomethanisation Plants

AFOLU Sector – Livestock & Manure Management

BioCarbon Cert releases BCR0008 Version 2.0 for public consultation under the BioCarbon Standard.

This updated methodology introduces structural and substantive improvements that reinforce baseline plausibility reassessment, strengthen leakage identification and conservative deduction requirements, formalize uncertainty management at the 90% confidence level, and incorporate explicit quantitative safeguards to prevent over-crediting. Environmental integrity is further reinforced through a structural cap ensuring that credited methane avoidance does not exceed the methane demonstrably captured and effectively managed under the project scenario.

The methodology applies to centralized anaerobic digestion systems treating livestock manure and generating emission reductions from methane and nitrous oxide avoidance within the AFOLU sector.

Consultation period: 20/02/2026 to 20/03/2026

The public consultation draft is available below.

Comments shall be submitted using the official public consultation comment template only, available at the following link

Access the document and submit comments at: biocarbon@biocarbonstandard.com

BioCarbon invites qualified technical experts to participate in the independent external review of this methodology. The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the review are available at the following link

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