# CDP asks if biogenic CO2 is relevant to us. Do we say yes if we burn biomass?

Canonical: https://senseible.earth/answers/cdp-7-12-biogenic-carbon-relevant-yes-or-no

Yes, if CO2 from biogenic carbon, such as burning biomass or biogas, matters to the people reading your response. Then 7.12.1 asks for the tonnes of CO2, reported separately from Scopes 1, 2 and 3, as the GHG Protocol requires.

## The test

"Relevant" means the information users need for their decisions. If biomass or biogas is a real fuel for you, say yes.

## What 7.12.1 asks

- Direct CO2 from biogenic carbon, in metric tons CO2, from sources you own or control.
- Indirect biogenic emissions, if you want to report them, go in the comment with quantity and source.
- Do not put CH4 or N2O from burning biomass here. They belong in Scope 1, 2 or 3.

## A common slip

Do not treat biomass as a zero emission fuel. CDP says it still produces emissions and should not carry a zero factor. Its CO2 is reported outside the scopes, and its CH4 and N2O inside them.

## Example with made-up numbers

- A boiler burns husk. Your fuel record and factor give 900 t of biogenic CO2.
- 7.12: Yes. 7.12.1: enter 900.
- The methane and nitrous oxide from the same boiler, in CO2e, go in Scope 1.

The 900 t is an example, not a husk factor.

## What Senseible does here

Senseible records the fuel quantity from invoices and weighbridge slips, so the biomass tonnes behind a separate biogenic CO2 line are traceable.

- [Fixing a CDP response after submitting](https://senseible.earth/answers/cdp-fix-response-after-submitting)
- [Carbon calculators](https://senseible.earth/calculators)
- [Scope 3 supplier evidence](https://senseible.earth/scope-3-supplier-evidence)

Sources: [CDP, Full Corporate Questionnaire, Module 7 reporting guidance (April 2025), question 7.12 and 7.12.1](https://cdn.cdp.net/cdp-production/cms/guidance_docs/pdfs/000/005/688/original/Full_Corporate_Questionnaire_Module_7.pdf)

Last reviewed 2026-11-03. CDP updates its questionnaire and guidance every year; check the current version before answering.