Carbon Accounting Tool for Biogas
Carbon Accounting Tool for Biogas (Biogas CAT)
This is the Carbon Accounting Tool for Biogas (Biogas CAT). No other carbon accounting tools account completely for all carbon impacts of biogas systems. For example, none count for the carbon impact of using or not using digested material to replace synthetic fertilizer. The Biogas CAT builds on existing compliance and voluntary carbon market methodologies to properly account for all life-cycle carbon emissions related to biogas production of any kind. The goal is to provide this science-based tool to any entity generating carbon-based policy or credits to ensure carbon accounting is consistent and accurate across many of the ways biogas can be produced and their associated carbon intensities.It establishes a transparent and consistent carbon accounting framework and provides a fundamental measurement methodology for potential emission reduction claims from biogas systems. This tool offers policymakers a template to include biogas in their energy transition and climate plans, which utilize energy and non-energy purposes of biogas.
Biogas CAT Intent
This carbon accounting tool aims to build on existing regulatory programs and voluntary carbon market (VCM) methodologies to supplement the needs and interests of the biogas industry. Specifically, these needs include:
- Providing an opportunity to calculate carbon intensity (CI) for biogas projects on an emission per energy basis (g CO2e/MJ) and based on the fate of the product where the destination of its product is unique.
- Providing an opportunity for biogas projects to convert their CI score calculated with this methodology to an equivalent greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction amount.
- Providing an opportunity for biogas projects to account for and capture more environmental monetary benefits around their digestate.
- Providing an opportunity for users of this methodology to open the door for future conversations around practical applications within the VCM industry.
It establishes a transparent and consistent carbon accounting framework and provides a fundamental measurement methodology for potential emission reduction claims from biogas systems.
The Biogas CAT offers policymakers a template to include biogas in their energy transition and climate plans, which utilize energy and non-energy purposes of biogas. Combustion is the most common practice as an end use for biogas and is the focus of this methodology; however, other emerging technologies can also fit under this document with additional considerations. It also allows users of the Biogas CAT, using biogas for heat, transportation, or electricity, to assess their emissions.
It is based on broadly accepted and industry-approved conservative carbon accounting principles and creates the foundation for a standard CI calculation for biogas projects. As a result, it is hoped that this tool’s approach will allow for more biogas projects to be built by creating a pathway to account for and monetize the benefits they create.
The Biogas CAT was prepared by EcoEngineers for the American Biogas Council (ABC) and the biogas industry. Together, both organizations sought industry-wide feedback and input through a variety of channels during its creation.