Version history
Short term removal credits (50-100 years) no longer an option
Short term removals have limited value in offsetting GHG emissions
23/10/2023
V1.0 to V1.1
Added equations for calculation GHG reductions
Increased transparency
29/01/2024
V1.1 to V2.0
Specified that building developers are eligible for carbon credits based on their use of biobased materials in their constructions
Expanding the scope to include other types of actors that are decisive in the sector
29/01/2024
V1.1 to V2.0
Aligned terminology with ISO 14064-2:2019
Improved consistency with the voluntary carbon market
29/01/2024
V1.1 to V2.0
Added risk assessment template for permanence and environmental and social do no harm
Provide more detailed and prescriptive assessment framework, clearer instructions for project developers
29/01/2024
V1.1 to V2.0
Removed text for sections that are the same for all methodologies:
Measurability
Real
Additionality
Technology readiness level
Minimum impact
Independently verified
Repeated text from the Standard Rules
29/01/2024
V1.1 to V2.0
Distinction between reference service lifetime (RSL) and carbon storage duration (CSD)
Two lifetimes must be differentiated for two purposes: CSD for permanence criteria, and RSL for GHG reduction calculations/substitution criteria
29/01/2024
V1.1 to V2.0
Added Monitoring Plan section
Alignment with Rainbow Standard Rules V6
13/03/2024
V2.0 (PC) to V2.0
Remove mentions of Rebound Effect and Independently Validated criteria
Alignment with Rainbow Standard Rules V6
13/03/2024
V2.0 (PC) to V2.0
Added uncertainty section
Alignment with Rainbow Standard Rules V6
13/03/2024
V2.0 (PC) to V2.0
Modifications in calculation approach:
No longer subtract biogenic carbon from Module A for avoidance calculations
Removals now have emissions from Modules A1-A3 subtracted from removals
More clearly and accurately represent avoided vs removed GHG emissions.
13/03/2024
V2.0 (PC) to V2.0
Renamed provision pool to buffer pool, and uncertainty buffer to discount factor.
Alignment with Rainbow Standard Rules V6 post public consultation.
17/5/2024
V2.0 to V2.1
Recommended discount factor changed from 10% to 6%.
Alignment with Rainbow Standard Rules V6 post public consultation.
17/5/2024
V2.0 to V2.1
Clarify that ancillary material emissions/removals are not considered in project removals, and distinguish between project biobased material and project scenario.
Clarification of the previous text’s intent.
August 2024
V2.1 to V2.2
Expanded description of guidelines for selecting baseline scenario plus examples
Transparency and documentation of our current practice
October 2024
V2.2 to V2.3
Added Project Scenario section
Consistent structure with other methodologies, exhaustive
October 2024
V2.2 to V2.3
Create project scope requirements
Specify that operations in different countries must be registered as separate projects
October 2024
V2.2 to V2.3
Add minimum list of ESDNH risks
Align with Standard Rules V6.2
October 2024
V2.2 to V2.3
Specify minimum frequency of updating baseline scenario
Clarity and transparency
October 2024
V2.2 to V2.3
Change scope of buildings using biobased materials to include multiple buildings
Facilitate certification for building developers
October 2025
V2.3 to V2.4
New rules for French building-scale projects to exceed building energy efficiency targets
To comply with FR L229-55/R229-101,
October 2025
V2.3 to V2.4
Add Auditing requirements table
Transparency, sharing resources that are already used in practice
October 2025
V2.3 to V2.4
Restructure sections: added Baseline Scope, renamed Eligible technologies to Eligibility and scope, renamed Eligibility criteria to Principles & requirements, moved Monitoring Plan to Principles & requirements
Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements
July 6th 2026
V2.4. to V3.0 PC
Move Substitution criteria requirements to Baseline Scope section
Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements
July 6th 2026
V2.4. to V3.0 PC
New Certification Scope section with requirements for crediting and monitoring period, project updates with methodology revisions, and site audits.
Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements
July 6th 2026
V2.4. to V3.0 PC
Add monitoring of co-benefits to monitoring plan
Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements
July 6th 2026
V2.4. to V3.0 PC
Delete Targets Alignment
Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements
July 6th 2026
V2.4. to V3.0 PC
Require risk mitigation plan for each reversal risk with a high or very high score
Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements
July 6th 2026
V2.4. to V3.0 PC
Add default contribution of verified RCCs to the buffer pool, depending on project type
Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements
July 6th 2026
V2.4. to V3.0 PC
Update risk assessment template
Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements
July 6th 2026
V2.4. to V3.0 PC
Remove avoidance credits option
Changing methodology scope
July 6th 2026
V2.4. to V3.0 PC
Modify equations: project induced emissions from GWP fossil only
No longer need to adjust, remove biogenic carbon uptake from GWP biogenic
July 6th 2026
V2.4. to V3.0 PC
Modify equations: removals calculation simplified with no results change
Simplified calculation
July 6th 2026
V2.4. to V3.0 PC
Rename permanence to durability, reduce the minimum carbon removal duration from 100 to 35 years, flexible durability labels, and create post-crediting reversal monitoring requirements
Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements, change methodology scope to allow for temporary removals
July 6th 2026
V2.4. to V3.0 PC
Biobased manufacturing projects credits issued upon delivery, not sale
Strengthen no double counting requirements.
July 6th 2026
V2.4. to V3.0 PC
Require biomass from forests to hold a recognized forestry sustainability certificate (FSC, PEFC, RSB, SFI, or SBP)
Formalize the interpretation of ESDNH requirements that was already applied
July 6th 2026
V2.4. to V3.0 PC
Revise no-double-counting proof: replace signed buyer/supplier agreements with mandatory disclosure (packaging, EPDs, invoices, or contracts) for manufacturers and cross-checking against a new Rainbow-managed tracking database for building projects
Strengthen no double counting requirements
July 6th 2026
V2.4. to V3.0 PC
Revise post-crediting reversal monitoring requirements to extend to the entire duration of the durability threshold
Ensure durability claims remain verifiable over long post-crediting periods
August 17th 2026
V3.0 PC to V3.0
Replace the flat reversal-risk buffer contribution with a quantitative table of buffer pool percentages by risk type and likelihood, and make buildings with any high/very-high individual risk ineligible
Improve rigor and consistency of reversal risk pricing; align with Standard Rules V7 requirements
August 17th 2026
V3.0 PC to V3.0
Require standardized measurement of biogenic carbon content for biobased products with variable biomass composition
Improve accuracy of carbon accounting for variable-composition materials
August 17th 2026
V3.0 PC to V3.0
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