Can small biochar kilns earn credits under Global Artisan C-Sink?

Yes, if the kilns are low-tech and the project is in a low- or middle-income country. Carbon Standards' Global Artisan C-Sink covers biochar made by farmers in Kon-Tiki flame-curtain kilns and worked into soil. An independent VVB verifies on site, and the C-sinks are registered in the Global C-Sink Registry.

Who it is for

• Farmer groups, NGOs or organisations that can make biochar with best management practices and strict monitoring.
• Projects in low-, lower-middle- or upper-middle-income countries by the World Bank's income classification.
• Biochar made the artisan way, in Kon-Tiki (flame-curtain) kilns, from sustainably grown feedstock, then worked into farm soil.

What counts as small

• A single C-Sink Farmer may make up to 100 m³ of biochar a year.
• A single Artisan Pro may make up to 1,500 m³ a year. With Carbon Standards' approval of a written justification, that can rise to 4,500 m³.
• Production must use a low-tech unit. Closed-flame, industrial kilns with real-time dMRV are covered by Carbon Standards' separate TAK standard.

Other conditions

• Farmers and producers must not already be certified under another methodology for nature-based climate services, such as biomass production or soil organic carbon.
• Everyone involved must be paid fairly and transparently.
• Carbon Standards endorses labs for Artisan biochar analysis, including labs in Thane, Greater Noida and Navi Mumbai, as well as in Germany.

From kiln to registry

1. Endorsement: Carbon Standards checks that the Artisan C-Sink Manager running the project meets the basic requirements and understands the process, including dMRV, pyrolysis technology and methane compensation.
2. Project Design Document: it describes the project from biomass sourcing to the methane compensation plan, with the formulas used to calculate the C-sinks.
3. Validation: an approved, independent VVB checks the project against the standard. The project also goes through public consultation, shown as Ongoing Validation in the Global C-Sink Registry.
4. Verification: the VVB confirms what the PDD set out was achieved, with an on-site inspection. CERES-CERT AG is the endorsed VVB.
5. C-sinks are registered in the Global C-Sink Registry, where endorsed C-Sink Traders transfer and retire them.

Which version applies

The current standard is version 2.1A, with separate rule updates on dry matter assessment, diffuse C-sinks and biochar in concrete. Carbon Standards publishes the PDD and monitoring report templates on the standard's page.

What Senseible does here

Senseible's offline field app keeps each batch's evidence together: kiln sensor temperature logs, geotagged photos, chain of custody and lab results, in one verifier evidence pack. The VVB checks it, and the C-sinks are registered in the Global C-Sink Registry.

• Carbon removal projects
• EBC certificate vs carbon credit
• Biochar credits in India
• CO2 removed per tonne of biochar
• Carbon credit project tools

Sources: Carbon Standards, Global Artisan C-Sink Standard (eligibility, process, endorsed labs and VVB), Carbon Standards, Global Artisan C-Sink clarification: increased production allowance for Artisan Pro, Carbon Standards, Carbon removal standards (Artisan and TAK pathways)

Last reviewed 2026-11-02.