A framework for evaluating measurable and verifiable greenhouse gas emission reductions and carbon sequestration resulting from biomass enhancement and storage.
The Quality Biomass Storage Standard™ defines the method and assessment process for generating credits associated with CO₂ sequestration from biomass storage activities.
QBSS™ is used to assess greenhouse gas sequestration and storage resulting from enhancement of the biomass reservoir. The standard treats vegetation and photosynthesis as important elements of the long-term sustainability of the biosphere.
Biomass not only captures CO₂, but can also retain the captured carbon as a carbon reservoir within a biological system and an appropriate storage environment. QBSS™ assesses this process within a quantifiable framework.
Annual CO₂ sequestration can be determined from annual biomass production, the mass of built carbon and the related CO₂ calculation, after which the relevant result can be converted into credits.
QBSS™ can be applied to a wide range of greenhouse gas sequestration and storage opportunities resulting from enhancement of the biomass reservoir. The standard is particularly based on determining quantitative changes in vegetation and biomass, and the resulting carbon and CO₂ outcome.
Technological and biological processes, biomass production, input and output material flows, energy flows, the pre-project state, and the achieved or expected biomass and carbon gain.
The standard requires technology mapping, safe-side CO₂ and, where necessary, other GHG calculations, professional cross-checking, and the use of up-to-date variables.
QBSS™ aims to provide a future-proof, practical methodology for participants in the Voluntary Carbon Market, with credible quantification of biomass storage results.
Appropriate access to relevant basic data and documentation enables the credibility of calculations to be cross-checked.
The project owner is responsible for the validity, integrity and accuracy of the submitted input data and documentation.
Continuous improvement of QBSS™ is driven by quality management, scientific and technological development, and sustainability goals.
Full technology and process mapping, assessment of the pre-project state and long-term results, and avoidance of uncertain and inadequate solutions.
Assessment of key processes, inputs, outputs and calculations, with professional cross-checking and the use of up-to-date variables.
Ownership of the CO₂ gain and the exclusion of double use must be supported by appropriate declarations and documentation; without them, assessment or registration cannot proceed.
The QBSS™ process flow connects annual biomass production with determination of built carbon mass, CO₂ calculation and conversion into credits.
Determination of the amount of annual biomass production resulting from the project.
Determination of the mass of carbon stored in the biomass based on its quantity and composition.
Quantification of the annual CO₂e result derived from captured carbon.
Determination of the credibly accountable CO₂ sequestration from annual biomass and carbon data.
Conversion of the quantified and verified CO₂e result into credits.
The QBSS™ standard also defines the methodological framework for creating Quality Biomass Storage Credit™, or QBSC™.
According to the document, one carbon credit is equal to one tonne of CO₂e greenhouse gas emissions in the Voluntary Carbon Market. QBSS™ credit generation is linked to actual GHG sequestration and storage resulting from enhancement of the biomass reservoir.
In credit generation, a verified result associated with the sequestration, prevention or reduction of 1 tonne of CO₂e may form the basis for a credit. The standard applies an ex-post financing logic: payment for registered credits is linked to a result that has already been achieved and verified.
The QBSS™ Numeric Counting Model for credit generation is based on the Biomass Storage Model and the assessment process presented in the standard. The calculation follows the relationship between annual biomass production, the mass of built carbon in the biomass, CO₂ calculation and annual CO₂ sequestration.
The iCC-designed calculation tables and methodological details associated with the individual Numeric Counting Models are iCC intellectual property and, according to the standard, are not published openly.
QBSS™ aims to achieve future-proof results and conservative quantification of the CO₂e outcome. The standard does not rely on short-term gains from temporary or intermediate states.
This website presents the purpose, scope, principles and general calculation logic of the Quality Biomass Storage Standard™. The full standard contains detailed technological, biomass, calculation, documentation and legal requirements.
The standard issued in 2023 describes the assessment of CO₂ sequestration and storage resulting from biomass reservoir enhancement, quantification of biomass production and built carbon, the calculation model and credit generation.
Request access to the full standard documentation, or submit the basic data of your biomass storage project for a preliminary QBSS™ assessment.
Request information about access to the full QBSS™ documentation, licences or conditions of professional use.
Submit the basic data of your biomass storage project for a preliminary QBSS™ assessment.