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

Canonical: https://senseible.earth/answers/global-artisan-c-sink-small-kilns

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](https://senseible.earth/carbon-removal/projects)
- [EBC certificate vs carbon credit](https://senseible.earth/answers/ebc-certificate-vs-carbon-credit-biochar)
- [Biochar credits in India](https://senseible.earth/answers/biochar-carbon-credits-india)
- [CO2 removed per tonne of biochar](https://senseible.earth/answers/how-much-co2-does-a-tonne-of-biochar-remove)
- [Carbon credit project tools](https://senseible.earth/carbon-credit-platforms)

Sources: [Carbon Standards, Global Artisan C-Sink Standard (eligibility, process, endorsed labs and VVB)](https://www.carbon-standards.com/en/standards/global-artisan-c-sink/), [Carbon Standards, Global Artisan C-Sink clarification: increased production allowance for Artisan Pro](https://www.carbon-standards.com/docs/transfer/4000241EN.pdf), [Carbon Standards, Carbon removal standards (Artisan and TAK pathways)](https://www.carbon-standards.com/en/standards/carbon-removal/)

Last reviewed 2026-11-02.