What are the method/storage classifications and how are they determined?
Every methodology has been assessed for whether it accounts for avoidance and/or removal in its credit verification calculations (method) as well as for the type of storage if carbon is stored (storage). Based on its methodology, each project on VAI has been assigned a value for ‘method’ and ‘storage’.
METHOD: Determines how credits are accrued per the methodology.
- avoidance: The project activities avoid GHG emissions that would have happened otherwise (reducing energy consumption, destroying HFC refrigerants, reducing the use of nitrogen fertilizer, reducing deforestation rates, etc.).
- removal: The project activities sequester more carbon from the atmosphere than is emitted by the project.
- uncertain: The method may be uncertain because the methodology does not give enough information to make a distinction. “Method” may be “uncertain” because:
- The methodology accounts for credits from both avoidance and removal activities. For example, some IFM methodologies may account for the avoided use of fuel to harvest timber and the increase in carbon reduction from longer rotations.
- The methodology allows for a variety of activities that may have avoidance and/or removal effects. Depending on the activities employed at the project level, the project may avoid, remove or do a combination of the two. For example, an agriculture project may reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizer (avoidance) and employ cover crops which increase the soil’s organic carbon content (e.g. VM0017).
STORAGE: Determines the medium in which a project stores carbon whenever it involves its capture whether from exhausts (avoidance) or the air (removal).
- biologic: stored in biomass or soils
- geologic: stored in geologic formations (e.g. enhanced oil recovery projects)
- product: stored in products such as concrete, plastics, biochar
none: carbon is not stored (because it is not captured)