These are the first verified credits for Charm. Like all Isometric credits, these have scientifically rigorous monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) embedded at their core. They were certified ex-post (based on actual activity, not forecasts) according to Isometric’s Bio-oil Geological Storage Protocol. Isometric protocols represent the most robust carbon accounting requirements for credits in the market today.
Charm’s bio-oil storage process involves gathering waste biomass and converting it into a stable, carbon-rich liquid that is pumped deep underground. Waste materials (such as the corn stalks left over after harvest or forestry trimmings generated from wildfire prevention activities) are heated in a low oxygen environment until they become a bio-oil, which is then injected into decommissioned oil wells and other similar environments. Through this process, the carbon originally captured from the atmosphere by plants is stored away permanently. It can be thought of as running fossil fuel extraction in reverse.
Isometric is paid by buyers to undertake MRV, which reduces conflicts of interests. This differs from the traditional business model—employed by every other carbon registry—where suppliers pay registry fees on a per-credit-issued basis, creating misaligned incentives that led to systemic overcrediting. Isometric charges a fixed fee to buyers that is independent of the final number of credits issued, which addresses these issues.
Carbon markets require trust to operate effectively and scale. That trust comes from applying scientific rigor to carbon removal in a way that is transparent and aligns incentives so buyers know they’re getting what they pay for. Carbon removal is an invisible, intangible product, which is why—for most buyers—the verification is the product.
All Isometric credits are published on the Isometric Registry, which provides a permanent audit trail. In a first for carbon markets, Isometric’s Registry discloses all of the underlying data and calculations behind every credit, so credits can be properly reviewed and scrutinized by anyone. As we say at Isometric: don’t trust us, trust the data.
The delivery of these credits today is an important step to ensuring verified, high-quality carbon credits become the norm and rebuilding trust in carbon markets.