Methodology

Biogas from anaerobic digestion

RIV-ENGY-01-ADGAS-V3.0

V3

Overall Available Credits

56822

tCOeq

Overall forecasted delivery

304764

tCOeq

Most used mechanism

Avoidance

Last Update

July 30, 2024

using this methodology

18

Projects

Biogas from anaerobic digestion

About the methodology

Fossil fuels like natural gas, oil, and coal drive 75% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with the energy sector responsible for 98% of this impact. While low-emission alternatives exist, various barriers slow their adoption. Biogas, produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic materials such as agricultural waste, offers a renewable solution. It can be used for gas network injection, cogeneration, or heat generation, with the added benefit of producing digestate—a nutrient-rich fertilizer for agriculture.

The Riverse methodology supports projects that transform organic waste into renewable biogas, promoting a sustainable energy transition. This document provides a concise overview of our methodology.

Biogas from anaerobic digestion

July 30, 2024

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V3

Technology

Quantification graph

Anaerobic digestion is a biological process where microorganisms break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas (a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide) and digestate.

The biogas can be used to generate electricity, heat, or be upgraded to biomethane for injection into the gas grid or as vehicle fuel.

Additional notes for Biogas projects:

  • Riverse certification only applies to the voluntary carbon market, which is not linked to any compliance market such as EU-ETS or RED's Proof of Sustainability.
  • Voluntary carbon credits can't be used by corporations as a decarbonization mechanism. Instead, voluntary carbon credits are part of a corporation's carbon contribution efforts.
  • For corporations subject to the European Union's CSRD, voluntary carbon credits should be reported under ESRS-1-C7 "Disclosure Requirement E1-7 – GHG removals and GHG mitigation projects financed through carbon credits."
  • Please note that in the European Union, corporations can't make "carbon neutral" or "Net Zero" claims through the use of carbon credits. These are two different accounting systems, ensuring there is no risk of double claiming regarding the use of biogas and the issuance of carbon credits to support the project.

Scientific approach

Quantification

Quantification graph

The biogas model quantification takes into account every part of a project-based comparative life-cycle assessment.

The methodology quantifies GHG emissions avoided compared to baseline scenarios using the ISO 14064-2 standard. The baseline considers the market mix of gas consumed in the country where the project operates, as biomethane is injected into the national grid. Avoided emissions are calculated for reducing emissions from fertilizer use and for displacing fossil fuel-based energy.

The project scope includes:

  • Feedstock provisioning and transport
  • Digestion and biomethane management
  • Digestate storage and spreading
  • Avoided fertilizer use

Key scientific resources informing this methodology include:

  • IPCC 2019: 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories
  • IEA: International Energy Agency, Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Energy Data Explorer
  • INRAE (French National Institute for Research in Agronomics)
  • Quantis, GRDF, ADEME: Study on the greenhouse gas impacts of biomethane injection into natural gas networks
  • Ecoinvent: Version 3.10
These references provide essential data and methodologies for evaluating the environmental impact and GHG emissions reductions associated with biomethane projects.

Core criteria of the methodology

GHG quantification
Permanence
Additionality
Environmental Do No Harm
Leakage
Monitoring & Verification

Compliance

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Calculation

We adhere to the ISO14064-2 standard to accurately quantify GHG emissions reductions and sequestration. Our approach ensures that all calculations are transparent, consistent, and reliable.

Project Reporting

All our projects must comply with the General Standard Rules in accordance with ICVCM and ICROA requirements. This ensures the highest level of integrity and transparency in our reporting processes.

Audit and Verification

Every project undergoes rigorous validation and recurring verification/monitoring audits by accredited Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs). This process guarantees the credibility and accuracy of our projects' emissions reductions.

Credit TraceabilitY

Our registry offers end-to-end traceability for the lifecycle of our credits, preventing double counting or double claiming. This system ensures that each credit's history is fully transparent and accountable.

Projects using this methodology

Overall Available Credits

56822

tCOeq

Cobenefits most found in the projects

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

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Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

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Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

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Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

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Eligibility criteria

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All projects must comply with the following eligibility criteria: Measurability, Reality, Additionality, Permanence (not applicable here, avoidance credits), No Double Counting, Co-benefits, Substitution, Environmental and Social Do No Harm, Leakage, Technology Readiness Level, Target Alignments, and Minimum Impact.

Specific Scope for Biogas Projects:

  • Covers projects that generate biogas from anaerobic digestion using organic waste materials.
  • Eligible feedstocks include agricultural waste, food waste, and other organic residues.
  • The methodology currently focuses on projects that purify biogas to biomethane and inject it into the gas grid. Projects that use biogas for electricity and heat production are eligible if they provide their own GHG reduction quantification.

Versioning history

Version management is handled through a system that ensures consistency and traceability of changes.

Visit our FAQ page or contact us to learn more