# Version history

This page describes the changes in the Biochar application to soils module.

Because this module is considered the V2.0 of the Rainbow BECCS and Biochar V1.0 methodology, the table below also includes changes from the Rainbow BECCS and Biochar V1.0 methodology that are covered in other modules (e.g. [Biomass feedstock](/methodologies/biomass-carbon-removal-and-storage-bicrs/carbon-capture/biomass-feedstock.md)).

<table data-full-width="true"><thead><tr><th width="399">Description of the change</th><th width="292">Justification</th><th width="157">Date</th><th>Version changed to</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Restructure sections: added Baseline Scope, renamed Eligible technologies to Eligibility and scope, renamed Eligibility criteria to Principles &#x26; requirements, moved Monitoring Plan to Principles &#x26; requirements</td><td>Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements</td><td>January 2026</td><td>V2.2 to V2.3</td></tr><tr><td>Remove TRL, move Substitution criteria requirements to Baseline Scope section</td><td>Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements</td><td>January 2026</td><td>V2.2 to V2.3</td></tr><tr><td>New Certification Scope section with requirements for crediting and monitoring period, project updates with methodology revisions, and site audits.</td><td>Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements</td><td>January 2026</td><td>V2.2 to V2.3</td></tr><tr><td>Remove limits on number of co-benefits, and require quantification and monitoring of all co-benefits</td><td>Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements</td><td>January 2026</td><td>V2.2 to V2.3</td></tr><tr><td>Environmental and social risk mitigation plan required for moderate or higher risks, instead of high risk</td><td>Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements</td><td>January 2026</td><td>V2.2 to V2.3</td></tr><tr><td>Remove project-level reversal risk assessment requirements</td><td>Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements</td><td>January 2026</td><td>V2.2 to V2.3</td></tr><tr><td>Remove ex-ante validation section</td><td>Align with Standard Rules V7 requirements</td><td>January 2026</td><td>V2.2 to V2.3</td></tr><tr><td>Change GHG quantification from ecoinvent v3.11 to v3.12 (average change of 0.04±0.2% decrease in total net removals)</td><td>Using more recent version of database</td><td>January 2026</td><td>V2.2 to V2.3</td></tr><tr><td>Specify residual organic carbon measurements needed for 1000-year removal claims</td><td>Provide clearer and more comprehensive instructions</td><td>July 2025</td><td>V2.2</td></tr><tr><td>Re-introduce 100-year carbon degradation model equations based on soil temperature</td><td>Aligning with common biochar modeling practices.</td><td>March 2025</td><td>V2.1</td></tr><tr><td>Changed pollutant requirements from European Biochar Certificate (EBC) thresholds to World Biochar Certificate (WBC) thresholds</td><td>Adding more projects outside Europe, more reasonable and feasible to hold them to worldwide best standards, not European</td><td>March 2025</td><td>V2.1</td></tr><tr><td>Added equations for calculation GHG reductions</td><td>Increased transparency.</td><td>September 2024</td><td>V2.0</td></tr><tr><td>Aligned terminology with ISO 14064-2:2019</td><td>Improved consistency with the voluntary carbon market. LCA principles still apply.</td><td>September 2024</td><td>V2.0</td></tr><tr><td>Added risk assessment template for environmental and social do no harm</td><td>Provide more detailed and prescriptive assessment framework, clearer instructions for project developers.</td><td>September 2024</td><td>V2.0</td></tr><tr><td><p>Removed text for sections that are the same for all methodologies:</p><ul><li>Measurability</li><li>Real</li><li>Additionality</li><li>Technology readiness level</li><li>Minimum impact</li><li>Independently verified</li></ul></td><td>Repeated text from the Standard Rules.</td><td>September 2024</td><td>V2.0</td></tr><tr><td>Added Monitoring Plan section</td><td>Alignment with Rainbow Standard Rules V6.</td><td>September 2024</td><td>V2.0</td></tr><tr><td>Remove Rebound Effect and Independently Validated criteria</td><td>Alignment with Rainbow Standard Rules V6.</td><td>September 2024</td><td>V2.0</td></tr><tr><td>Added uncertainty assessment section</td><td>Alignment with Rainbow Standard Rules V6.</td><td>September 2024</td><td>V2.0</td></tr><tr><td>Infrastructure and machinery quantification expanded and specified, simple option added</td><td>Simplification, results not sensitive to impacts</td><td>September 2024</td><td>V2.0</td></tr><tr><td>New Leakage requirements</td><td>More rigorous eligibility criteria, and clear requirements and instructions for Project Developers</td><td>September 2024</td><td>V2.0</td></tr><tr><td>Allow option for 1000 year removals, measurement of random reflectance</td><td>Updated research</td><td>September 2024</td><td>V2.0</td></tr><tr><td>Added verification of end use reports</td><td>Increased rigor to ensure biochar is used as claimed</td><td>September 2024</td><td>V2.0</td></tr><tr><td>Added precise sampling requirements</td><td>Provide Project Developers with clear expectations, ensure representative sampling</td><td>September 2024</td><td>V2.0</td></tr><tr><td>Allow option to monitor data and quantify GHGs per production batch</td><td>Facilitate data collection and reporting for Project Developers</td><td>September 2024</td><td>V2.0</td></tr><tr><td>Biomass feedstock shall only be waste and biomass cultivated from sustainable production is not allowed</td><td>Increased stringency, following best practice and scientific recommendations</td><td>September 2024</td><td>V2.0</td></tr></tbody></table>


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