# Glossary

## General

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="233"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Baseline scenario</strong></td><td>The set of processes used to model the greenhouse gas emissions of what would happen without the project. Also called the reference scenario or business-as-usual scenario.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Buffer pool</strong></td><td>A shared account of Rainbow Carbon Credits that projects issuing removal Rainbow Carbon Credits contribute to, used to compensate for carbon removal reversal.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Carbon avoidance</strong></td><td>Avoiding greenhouse gas emissions that would have occurred without the project’s mitigation activity.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Carbon removal</strong></td><td>Physically removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in biologic or geologic pools. Also called carbon sequestration.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Carbon finance</strong></td><td>The financial instruments and funding mechanisms resulting from the selling of carbon credits to support projects.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Certification</strong></td><td>The combined process of validation and verification of a project to issue Rainbow Carbon Credits.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Commitment period</strong></td><td>The duration over which carbon will be removed.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Crediting period</strong></td><td>The duration over which a given project is eligible for Rainbow Carbon Credits. It may be renewed by undergoing a new validation audit.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Discount factor</strong></td><td>A percentage of verified Rainbow Carbon Credits eliminated from each project and never issued. This acts as a safeguard against uncertainty in GHG quantifications and overestimated carbon removal/avoidance.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Ex-post</strong></td><td>After the fact. Actual outcomes after the project mitigation activity has occurred. All Rainbow Carbon Credits are ex-post. As opposed to ex-ante, which is before the fact.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Global Warming Potential (GWP)</strong></td><td>A measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere over a specific time period, compared to carbon dioxide (CO₂). It is a relative measure of the impact of a greenhouse gas.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Indigenous peoples</strong></td><td>People that self-identify as Indigenous and are recognized by others as Indigenous, with historical continuity with pre-colonial societies; distinct languages, customs, and institutions; a strong connection to ancestral lands or territories; and are often governed by customary laws or traditional authorities.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Local communities</strong></td><td>Local communities are non-Indigenous people with a long-standing connection to a particular rural or semi-rural geographic area; reliance on local natural resources for livelihood; social cohesion or shared cultural traits, though not necessarily Indigenous; living in geographic proximity to a part of the project area, including but not limited to sourcing, production, and/or end use locations.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>MCI</strong></td><td>The Material Circularity Indicator (MCI), developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, measures the extent to which a product's material flows are restorative.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Mitigation activity</strong></td><td>The specific processes within a project that lead to carbon removal/avoidance.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Monitoring</strong></td><td>Ongoing measurement of indicators to determine whether the project delivers the expected carbon removal/avoidance. Used for Rainbow Carbon Credit verification.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Monitoring period</strong></td><td>The period of time covered by a project's Monitoring Report, for which they have monitored operations following the Monitoring Plan, and undergo verification audit and are issued credits.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Project</strong></td><td>The mitigation activity/activities that are under consideration for issuance of Rainbow Carbon Credits.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Project Developer</strong></td><td>Entity responsible for executing the project, which should include a contact person plus company/organization name. The Project Developer may apply for Rainbow Carbon Credits themselves (the default case), or designate a Registration Partner.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Project output</strong></td><td>Products or services that the project generates.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Project scenario</strong></td><td>The set of processes used to model the greenhouse gas emissions of the project, which must be functionally equivalent to the baseline scenario.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Registration partner</strong></td><td>An entity chosen by the Project Developer to apply for Rainbow Carbon Credits and meet the Project Developer's obligations on their behalf.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Rainbow Registry</strong></td><td>The digital platform created by Rainbow that tracks the issuance, purchases, and retirements of Rainbow Carbon Credits.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Rainbow Carbon Credit</strong></td><td>1 tonne of CO<sub>2</sub>eq removed or avoided by a project’s mitigation activity.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Rainbow Standard Documentation</strong></td><td>The highest level of documentation that covers all projects and methodologies under the Rainbow Standard. It includes the Rainbow Standard Rules, the Procedures Manual, and other documents.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Rebound effect</strong></td><td>Improvements in resource efficiency or climate impacts that yield lower-than-expected gains due to behavioral or systemic effects.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Reversal- avoidable</strong></td><td><p>Reversal of carbon removal that</p><ul><li>results from actions or omissions within the project’s control,</li><li>could have been prevented with reasonable foresight and risk mitigation</li><li>typically a result of failure to maintain equipment, follow protocol, or update systems; human error or negligence; or foreseeable and mitigable natural disturbances.</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Reversal- unavoidable</strong></td><td><p>Reversal of carbon removal that</p><ul><li>is caused by events beyond reasonable control or prediction,</li><li>where mitigation was not feasible or would have imposed unreasonable burden, </li><li>resulted from natural disasters (e.g. wildfire, earthquake, extreme weather); pest or disease outbreaks; or policy or regulatory change beyond project control</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Validation</strong></td><td>First audit to check if a project is eligible for Rainbow Carbon Credits, and to estimate the expected number of credits that will be issued through the entire crediting period.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Verification</strong></td><td>Subsequent audits of whether the expected carbon removal/avoidance occurred, based on ongoing monitoring. After verification, Rainbow Carbon Credits are issued.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Battery second life

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="223"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Auxiliary components</strong></td><td>The individual non-electrochemical parts within a battery pack, including casings, connectors, and electronic control systems. It does not include Battery Units (BU) or Battery Management System (BMS).</td></tr><tr><td><a data-footnote-ref href="#user-content-fn-1"><strong>Battery cell</strong></a></td><td>The basic functional unit in a battery, composed of electrodes, electrolyte, container, terminals and, if applicable, separators, and containing the active materials the reaction of which generates electrical energy.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery marketplace</strong></td><td>An online or physical platform for buying, selling, or trading batteries or battery-related services.</td></tr><tr><td><a data-footnote-ref href="#user-content-fn-1"><strong>Battery Management System (BMS)</strong></a></td><td>Electronic device that manages the electric and thermal functions of a battery to ensure the it’s safety, performance and service life; and manages the data for determining the battery’s state of health and expected lifetime.</td></tr><tr><td><a data-footnote-ref href="#user-content-fn-1"><strong>Battery module</strong></a></td><td>Any set of battery cells that are connected or encapsulated within an outer casing to protect the cells against external impact. One module may be used alone or in combination with other modules.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery pack</strong></td><td>The item encompassing all other components described here. It includes battery units (arranged in series, parallel, or both), and depending on the specific battery type, may include a BMS and various auxiliary components.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery recycling</strong></td><td>The process of recovering used batteries to extract valuable materials (such as metals, plastics, and chemicals) and ensure that harmful substances are safely disposed of. Unlike refurbishing or regeneration, the recycled battery is no longer usable after the process.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery refurbishing</strong></td><td>The mechanical process of replacing worn components, reconditioning structure, disassembly, cleaning, and testing. High-quality parts are reused for "second-life" batteries, extending lifespan for battery repurposing or returning to its original application.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery regeneration</strong></td><td>The process of restoring battery performance by reversing chemical degradation, via e.g. deep discharging and recharging, or applying specific electrical pulses. It can also include electrolytes replacement (Pb-acid batteries). It improves battery's capacity and efficiency without replacing major components. The regenerated battery usually returns to its original application.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery repurposing</strong></td><td>A form of battery second life, where the battery is used in a different application than its original purpose and its first life use.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery reuse</strong></td><td>A form of battery second-life, where the battery is used in the same application as in its first life, that it was initially designed for.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery second life</strong></td><td>Extended use of a battery after it can no longer perform its original application from its first life. This reduces environmental impact by delaying recycling or disposal, and replacing the need for new battery production.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery Unit (BU)</strong></td><td>A single battery (lead-acid batteries) or cells and modules (li-ion and NiMH) that can store electrical energy and provide power.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>EV battery</strong></td><td>A battery designed specifically to power electric vehicles (EVs), typically using lithium-ion and NiMH chemistry.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)</strong></td><td>A policy approach that holds manufacturers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, especially waste management.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Energy storage system (ESS)</strong></td><td>A battery capable of storing energy in order to supply electrical energy at a later time.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Industrial battery</strong></td><td>Batteries that are used in off-highway electric vehicles such as forklifts, construction equipment such as scissor lifts, excavators, and agricultural machinery.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Li-ion</strong></td><td>Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery is a type of rechargeable battery that relies on lithium ions moving between a graphite anode and a lithium metal oxide cathode during charge and discharge cycles.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>LMT</strong></td><td>Batteries used in Light Means of Transport (LMT) such as e-bikes and e-scooters. Usually using Li-ion and NiMH battery chemistries.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>NiMH</strong></td><td>A battery Nickel Metal Hydrade (NiMH) battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses a nickel oxide hydroxide cathode and a hydrogen-absorbing alloy anode.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Pb-acid</strong></td><td>Lead-acid (Pb-acid) battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses lead dioxide as the cathode, sponge lead as the anode, and a sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Preparation for reuse</strong></td><td>Inspecting, testing, and preparing battery units, auxiliary components and packs to be reused in their original function without significant alterations</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Preparation for repurpose</strong></td><td>Inspecting, testing, and preparing battery units, auxiliary components and packs to be repurposed and used for a different function (e.g. an EV battery repurposed to an ESS).</td></tr><tr><td><strong>PRO</strong></td><td>A Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) is an organization or company responsible for ensuring that producers meet their environmental obligations under EPR frameworks.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>SLI</strong></td><td>Starting, Lighting, and Ignition (SLI) batteries are a specific type of lead-acid battery used in vehicles to power ignition, lights, and electronic accessories.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>SoH</strong></td><td>The State of Health (SoH) represents a battery's condition and energy capacity compared to its original state. Expressed as a percentage, 100% indicates perfect condition, while lower values show degradation due to factors like age and use. SoH helps evaluate a battery's performance, and is a factor in determining remaining battery lifetime.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## BiCRS Biochar

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="216"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Bioenergy</strong></td><td>Renewable energy derived from organic materials, such as plant and animal waste, agricultural crops, and forestry residues, that are converted into heat, electricity, or fuels through processes like combustion, gasification, or fermentation</td></tr><tr><td><strong>BECCS</strong></td><td>BECCS (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage) is a carbon mitigation technology that combines the use of bioenergy (from biomass) with carbon capture and storage (CCS) to remove and store carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the atmosphere</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Biochar</strong></td><td>material that is rich in stable carbon, produced through the thermal conversion of biomass in a low-oxygen environment</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Delivery Risk</strong></td><td>The potential risk that a project will not be able to deliver the anticipated results, such as the projected amount of biochar or carbon sequestration benefits.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>End use application</strong></td><td>The way biochar will be used, such as direct application to soil, mixing with compost and application of the mix to soil, mixing with cement for use in concrete.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>End use point</strong></td><td>The step in the production chain where biochar leaves the direct control of biochar producers, where it is assumed to be incorporated into its final end use application.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Embodied Transport Emissions</strong></td><td>GHG emissions associated with the production, maintenance, and operation of transportation infrastructure and vehicles across all modes of transport (e.g., road, sea).</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Feedstock</strong></td><td>The organic material used as the raw input for biochar production, such as wood, agricultural residues, or manure.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Gasification</strong></td><td>high-temperature process that involves the partial oxidation of organic materials in the presence of a controlled amount of oxygen (or air) and a gasification agent</td></tr><tr><td><strong>GVW</strong></td><td>Gross Vehicle Weight is the total weight of a vehicle, including its own weight plus the weight of any cargo</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Loading rate</strong></td><td>Ratio of actual load to the full load or capacity (e.g. mass or volume) that a vehicle carries per trip.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Molar H/C</strong><sub><strong>org</strong></sub><strong> ratio</strong></td><td>The ratio of hydrogen to organic carbon atoms in biochar, used to assess the stability and quality of biochar; lower ratios indicate higher stability.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Permanence horizon</strong></td><td>Sequestration horizon, commitment period</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Production batch</strong></td><td>Biochar produced under the same conditions regarding production temperature and feedstock mix. A production batch has a maximum validity of 365 days.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Production batch ID</strong></td><td>A unique identifier for each production batch.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Pyrolysis</strong></td><td>thermal decomposition process that occurs in the absence of oxygen</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Random reflectance</strong></td><td>A measure of the reflectivity of biochar under a microscope, indicating the degree of carbonization, inertinite characteristics and permanence of the biochar.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Segment</strong></td><td>Part of the transportation process involving the movement of inputs or products between point A and point B within the project boundary.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Transport segment</strong></td><td>One shipment of a fixed amount of material from a known location A to a known location B. It represents a one-way trip.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Transport Unit</strong></td><td>A general term used to describe any vehicle, vessel, or mode of transportation used to move goods or passengers from one location to another. In this module version, this includes trucks and ships.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Transport type/ mode of transport</strong></td><td>Type of transport. E.g. by land (truck, rail, pipe), by water (boat, ferry), by air (airplane). This module's first version focuses on road and sea transport type.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Verification period</strong></td><td>The time period of project activities that a given verification audit and carbon credit issuance covers. For biochar application to soils, this may be one calendar year, or the duration of validity of one production batch.</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="216"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Bioenergy</strong></td><td>Renewable energy derived from organic materials, such as plant and animal waste, agricultural crops, and forestry residues, that are converted into heat, electricity, or fuels through processes like combustion, gasification, or fermentation</td></tr><tr><td><strong>BECCS</strong></td><td>BECCS (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage) is a carbon mitigation technology that combines the use of bioenergy (from biomass) with carbon capture and storage (CCS) to remove and store carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the atmosphere</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Biochar</strong></td><td>Material that is rich in stable carbon, produced through the thermal conversion of biomass in a low-oxygen environment</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Delivery Risk</strong></td><td>The potential risk that a project will not be able to deliver the anticipated results, such as the projected amount of biochar or carbon sequestration benefits.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>End use application</strong></td><td>The way biochar will be used, such as direct application to soil, mixing with compost and application of the mix to soil, mixing with cement for use in concrete.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>End use point</strong></td><td>The step in the production chain where biochar leaves the direct control of biochar producers, where it is assumed to be incorporated into its final end use application.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Feedstock</strong></td><td>The organic material used as the raw input for biochar production, such as wood, agricultural residues, or manure.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Gasification</strong></td><td>high-temperature process that involves the partial oxidation of organic materials in the presence of a controlled amount of oxygen (or air) and a gasification agent</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Molar H/C</strong><sub><strong>org</strong></sub><strong> ratio</strong></td><td>The ratio of hydrogen to organic carbon atoms in biochar, used to assess the stability and quality of biochar; lower ratios indicate higher stability.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Permanence horizon</strong></td><td>Sequestration horizon, commitment period</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Production batch</strong></td><td>Biochar produced under the same conditions regarding production temperature and feedstock mix. A production batch has a maximum validity of 365 days.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Production batch ID</strong></td><td>A unique identifier for each production batch.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Pyrolysis</strong></td><td>thermal decomposition process that occurs in the absence of oxygen</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Random reflectance</strong></td><td>A measure of the reflectivity of biochar under a microscope, indicating the degree of carbonization, inertinite characteristics and permanence of the biochar.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## BiCRS Marine sub-sediment burial

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="220"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Anoxic</strong></td><td>The absence of oxygen. In marine sediments, anoxic layers contain no detectable oxygen, as the rate of oxygen diffusion into these layers is slower than its consumption. In these conditions, microbial activity and organic matter degradation occur at significantly slower rates compared to oxic environments.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Burial event</strong></td><td>The act of burying feedstock mixture into the storage point.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Feedstock</strong></td><td>The organic material used as the raw input for sub-sediment storage, such as wood, agricultural residues, or manure.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Feedstock mixture</strong></td><td>The specific biomass feedstock composition (e.g. corn husks, rice straw) and state (e.g. shredded, emulsified, mixed into a slurry) used in the sub-sediment storage.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Marine sediments</strong></td><td>Deposits of insoluble material that have built up on the seafloor, primarily rock and soil particles, and remains of marine and terrestrial biomass. Sediments have pore space that is filled with marine water, and exchange can occur with the marine water in sediments and the overlying water column via diffusion.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Sub-sediment</strong></td><td>A layer of sediment that is not exposed to the overlying water column, does not hold multicellular life and does not experience re-suspension. There is no exchange with marine water and the overlying water column. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Storage batch</strong></td><td>All burial events of homogenous feedstock mixtures at one storage site over a maximum of 31 days. Data shall be monitored and reported at the storage batch level, and multiple storage batches can be grouped and analyzed together for one project.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Storage site</strong></td><td>A group of similar storage points within 24 km<span class="math">^2</span> of one another with similar site characteristics.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Storage point</strong></td><td>The precise spot where a burial event occurs. Similar storage points may be grouped into a storage site.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Biogas from anaerobic digestion

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="220"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Biogas</strong></td><td>A mixture of gasses produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic matter, primarily composed of biogenic methane and carbon dioxide. It can be used directly as a renewable energy source, or can be purified to biomethane.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Biogenic methane</strong></td><td>Methane produced from the decomposition of organic matter, as opposed to methane derived from fossil fuels. It has a slightly lower global warming potential than fossil-based methane. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Biomethane</strong></td><td>Methane that has been purified from biogas to meet quality standards for natural gas. It can be used for heating, electricity generation, or as vehicle fuel.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Dedicated crop</strong></td><td>Crops specifically grown for use as feedstock in energy production, such as maize or sorghum, as opposed to crops grown for food or other purposes. They are cultivated during the main growing season and harvested at maturity.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Digestate</strong></td><td>The nutrient-rich residue left after the anaerobic digestion of organic feedstock, which can be used as a fertilizer or soil conditioner.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Energy cover crop</strong></td><td>Crops like clover or rye that are grown during the off-season for use as biogas feedstock. They prevent soil erosion and are harvested for energy production, unlike traditional cover crops, which are mixed into the soil.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Feedstock</strong></td><td>Organic materials used as inputs in the production of biogas through anaerobic digestion, such as agricultural residues, food waste, or manure.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Methane</strong></td><td>A colorless, odorless flammable gas (CH₄) that is the main component of natural gas and biogas. It is a potent greenhouse gas when released into the atmosphere.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Nitrous oxide</strong></td><td>A potent greenhouse gas (N₂O) occasionally emitted during anaerobic digestion, especially with high-nitrogen feedstock. It has a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Refurbishing of electronic devices

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="221"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Buyback</strong></td><td>Buying used devices from consumers.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Device A</strong></td><td>In this methodology, Device A refers to the first life of the refurbished device in the project scenario, and the waste device in the baseline scenario. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Device B</strong></td><td>In this methodology, Device B refers to the refurbished device in the project scenario, and the new manufactured device in the baseline scenario. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Functioning device</strong></td><td>A device that is successfully refurbished by the refurbishing project. It replaces a new manufactured device.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Non-functioning device</strong></td><td>A device that is not successfully refurbished by the refurbishing project. It may be recycled, dismantled for spare parts to be used by the refurbisher, or sold for spare parts.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Refurbishing</strong></td><td>The process of repairing and restoring used devices to good working order. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Residual value</strong></td><td>The value (economic and lifetime) of a used device that is still remaining when it is sold and/or sent for refurbishing.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Scrap materials</strong></td><td>Parts of used devices that are no longer functioning and are replaced by spare parts in the refurbishing process. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Small IT and telecommunication equipment</strong></td><td>A category of electronic waste (e-waste) defined by the <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02012L0019-20180704">WEEE directive</a>, composed of devices no larger than 50 cm external dimension, including mobile phones, GPS, routers, personal computers, and printers.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Sold devices</strong></td><td>A functioning device that was successfully refurbished and sold functioning by the refurbishing project. It fully meets the market requirements and replaces a new manufactured device.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spare parts</strong></td><td>Functioning parts used in the refurbishing process to replace non-functioning parts, such as a battery or display. They may be new manufactured parts, or harvested from dismantled non-functioning devices. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>WEEE</strong></td><td>Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment, also called e-waste</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Biobased construction materials

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="227"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Biobased construction material</strong></td><td>Materials derived from biomass that are used in construction and other applications</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Biogenic carbon</strong></td><td>Carbon from organic matter that can be sequestered and stored in biobased products during their production, and released back into the atmosphere if they are incinerated or decayed. It is considered part of the short, natural carbon cycle, as opposed to fossil based carbon</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Biomass</strong></td><td>The biodegradable fraction of materials from biogenic origin, such as trees, plants, and agricultural and urban waste</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Carbon storage duration</strong></td><td>The number of years that biogenic carbon will be stored in a construction material. This corresponds to the reference service lifetime for the material’s first use, plus extended storage periods from reuse, recycling, or landfilling</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)</strong></td><td>A standardized and independently verified document that communicates the environmental performance of a product, including construction materials, based on a life cycle assessment</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Reference service lifetime</strong></td><td>The expected or predefined period of use for a product or construction material, measured in number of years. Used for assessing its environmental impact over its life cycle</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Modules A-D</strong></td><td>Components and terminology of an environmental assessment under EN 15804, outlining the stages of a life cycle assessment for construction materials. They encompass (A) Production, (B) Construction/Installation, (C) Use, and (D) End of Life</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Project biobased material</strong></td><td>The biobased material from the project that is subject to removal and/or avoidance Rainbow Carbon Credit issuance. Its production/use is the mitigation activity for this methodology.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Carbonated materials

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="234"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Mineralization, Mineral Carbonation</strong></td><td>A chemical process where CO<sub>2</sub> reacts with alkaline materials (e.g., concrete, cement, industrial residues) to form stable carbonates (e.g. CaCO<sub>3</sub>), permanently storing CO<sub>2</sub>. Mineralization and carbonation are used interchangeably in the present methodology.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Ex situ</strong></td><td>Processes that occur in controlled, engineered environments, such as reactors or industrial facilities, rather than <em>in situ</em> approaches that take place in the natural environment (e.g. enhanced rock weathering).</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Carbonated Material</strong></td><td>The solid product resulting from mineral carbonation, containing CO<sub>2</sub> locked in stable carbonate form (e.g., carbonated concrete or aggregate).</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Carbonation curing</strong></td><td>A process where CO<sub>2</sub> is introduced to concrete or cement-based materials during the curing stage, to accelerate strength development and chemically bind CO<sub>2</sub> into the material.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Carbonation batch</strong></td><td>The carbonated material produced using the same input materials (alkaline feedstock and CO<sub>2</sub>) and operating conditions. It is assumed that all carbonated material from the same carbonation batch has similar characteristics.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Alkaline Feedstock</strong></td><td>Materials that contain metal oxides (e.g., calcium, magnesium, iron) that react with CO<sub>2</sub> to form carbonates.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Biogenic CO</strong><sub><strong>2</strong></sub></td><td>CO<sub>2</sub> originating from biomass sources. Its carbonation leads to net carbon removals, and is eligible for removal carbon credits. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Atmospheric CO</strong><sub><strong>2</strong></sub> </td><td>CO<sub>2</sub> captured directly from the atmosphere, typically from Direct Air Capture (DAC) or ambient air. Its carbonation leads to net carbon removals, and is eligible for removal carbon credits. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Fossil CO</strong><sub><strong>2</strong></sub> </td><td>CO<sub>2</sub> originating from fossil fuels. Its carbonation leads to carbon storage, and is eligible for avoidance carbon credits. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Calcination CO</strong><sub><strong>2</strong></sub> </td><td>CO<sub>2</sub> originating from lime that is calcinated in cement production, from breaking up CaCO<sub>3</sub> into CO<sub>2</sub> and calcium silicates. Its carbonation leads to carbon storage, and is eligible for avoidance carbon credits. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Fugitive CO</strong><sub><strong>2</strong></sub><strong> Emissions</strong></td><td>Unintended leaks of CO<sub>2</sub> from equipment (e.g., reactors, pipelines, trucks). Not to be confused with the <a href="../methodologies/mineralization-of-alkaline-materials-ex-situ/principles-and-requirements#ekfzu5nkmddm">Leakage </a>eligibility criteria. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)</strong></td><td>The most common type of cement, produced by heating limestone and other materials to form clinker, which is then ground into a fine powder. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Supplementary cementitious materials (SCM)</strong></td><td>Industrial by-products (e.g. fly ash, slag) or natural pozzolans used to partially replace OPC in concrete. They can both replace and reduce clinker-related emissions, and serve as reactive alkaline materials that bind CO<sub>2</sub> into stable carbonates.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Enhanced rock weathering

<table data-header-hidden data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th width="158"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>NFZ</strong></td><td>Near field zone, the immediate area where rocks are weathered and where weathering products infiltrate horizontally or vertically, typically close to the spreading event. This methodology counts both CDR gain and loss from the NFZ.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>FFZ</strong></td><td>Far field zone, the area further away from the deployment where weathering products and signals disperse over time. Depending on the project this may include soil below the depth of the NFZ, groundwater, surface water in the deployment area's hydrological basin, and the ocean. In this methodology only CDR loss from the FFZ is considered.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Base Cations</strong></td><td>Positively charged ions that are released when silicate or carbonate minerals dissolve, including but not limited to <span class="math">Ca^{2+}</span> and <span class="math">Mg^{2+}</span>. Base cations increase alkalinity and drive CDR when they react with CO<sub>2</sub>aq, and are critical indicators in measuring how much weathering has occurred.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>DIC</strong></td><td>Dissolved inorganic carbon, the sum of inorganic carbon species (<span class="math">CO_2</span>, <span class="math">HCO_3^-</span>, <span class="math">CO_3^{2-}</span>) in water, critical for tracking carbon sequestration.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Carbonate System Parameters</strong></td><td>Key chemical properties that regulate carbon storage in water, including pH, alkalinity, DIC, and partial pressure of <span class="math">CO_2</span>, (p<span class="math">CO_2</span>,).</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Alkalinity</strong></td><td>The ability of water or soil to neutralize acids, primarily driven by bicarbonate (<span class="math">HCO_3^-</span>) and carbonate (<span class="math">CO_3^{2-}</span>). In ERW, it is the most direct indicator that <span class="math">CO_2</span>, removal has occurred, as increased alkalinity reflects mineral weathering and atmospheric <span class="math">CO_2</span> conversion into dissolved inorganic carbon.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Weathering Signal/Products</strong></td><td>A wide array of measurable evidence that minerals have broken down (weathered), releasing chemical elements into the environment, e.g. base cations ( <span class="math">Ca^{2+}</span> and <span class="math">Mg^{2+}</span>), bicarbonate ( <span class="math">HCO_3^-</span>), dissolved silica (<span class="math">SiO_2</span>), precipitated carbonates (e.g., <span class="math">CaCO_3</span> formation in soils or water bodies). These indicators confirm that weathering is occurring and can be used to estimate CDR.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Project Area</strong></td><td>The sum of all spreading areas in a project where rock spreading occurs, referring directly to the spreading sites and not the associated FFZ.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spreading area</strong></td><td>The specific site/s where crushed rock (e.g., basalt, olivine) is applied for enhanced weathering. This area is carefully chosen based on soil properties, land use (e.g., cropland, pasture), and accessibility for long-term monitoring. One spreading area includes one treatment plot plus its associated representative control plot.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Control Plot</strong></td><td>A designated area where no rock is spread, used as a reference to compare against the treatment plot. This ensures that credited changes in soil or water chemistry are due to enhanced weathering from spread rock rather than natural weathering. The control plot defines the baseline. ERW projects are only issued removal credits for the removal that occurs beyond baseline removals. The same monitoring requirements and calculations apply to both the control and treatment plots.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Treatment Plot</strong></td><td>The area where crushed rock is applied in order to drive CDR from enhanced weathering. This is considered the Project Scenario according to the Riverse Standard.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Business As Usual Control Plot</strong></td><td>A control plot managed according to normal agricultural or environmental practices without enhanced weathering. For example, if the study is on farmland, the BAU plot would follow conventional pH management practices such as liming, which drives CDR. This is the preferred type of control plot, but is not always practical and feasible for farmers to maintain.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Negative Control Plot</strong></td><td>A control plot that receives no BAU liming treatments.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Strata</strong></td><td>Distinct groups of spreading areas that share relatively homogeneous characteristics affecting CDR through ERW. These are determined based on key climate and soil properties, such as soil type, pH, topographic wetness index (TWI), and temperature.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stratification</strong></td><td>The process of grouping spreading areas into strata based on key environmental factors that influence ERW. This process ensures that control and treatment plots are representative of the conditions under which weathering occurs, reducing variability and improving the reliability of CDR quantification, and can prove a project's eligibility for spatial extrapolation. Stratification must be completed before rock spreading and documented in the PDD.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spatial Extrapolation</strong></td><td>The process of extending measured results from monitored sites (original sites) to new sites (extrapolation sites) within the same stratum to reduce the density of field sampling. Project Developers may only do this after proving low variance in measured and verified CDR for a given strata. It allows Project Developers to expand deployment areas while maintaining rigorous CDR monitoring.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Original Sites</strong></td><td>A site within the project that has undergone full-density sampling, monitoring, and verification. It provides the first set of monitoring and measurements used to evaluate CDR and to validate whether new sites within the same stratum are eligible for spatial extrapolation.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Extrapolation Sites</strong></td><td>A site added under reduced monitoring requirements after validation confirms it shares key characteristics with an Original Site and falls within a low-variability stratum. At least one round of sampling is required to confirm similarity; no separate control plot is needed.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spatially Integrated</strong></td><td>Measurements that combine data from multiple locations (depth and lateral) to provide an overall assessment of weathering in the NFZ.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Temporally Integrated</strong></td><td>Data collected over time to capture variability and cumulative CDR over the reporting period.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Charge Balanced</strong></td><td>A system is charge-balanced when the total positive charges (cations) equal the total negative charges (anions) in solution. In ERW, this specifically refers to base cations being charge balanced by bicarbonate ions, as opposed to other ions like sulfate or nitrate, to ensure that weathering leads to CDR rather than non-carbonic acid weathering.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Feedstock source</strong></td><td>A given site where feedstock is sourced from, with one set of GPS coordinates, name of the mine/quarry/area, and feedstock waste status.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Feedstock batch</strong></td><td>A given amount of feedstock that comes from the same feedstock source, in the same mining/extraction round (within 72 hours). It is assumed that all feedstock in the same batch has the same characteristics, and samples and measurements only need to be taken once per feedstock batch. </td></tr></tbody></table>

## Transport module

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="216"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Embodied Transport Emissions</strong></td><td>GHG emissions associated with the production, maintenance, and operation of transportation infrastructure and vehicles across all modes of transport (e.g., road, sea).</td></tr><tr><td><strong>GVW</strong></td><td>Gross Vehicle Weight is the total weight of a vehicle, including its own weight plus the weight of any cargo</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Loading rate</strong></td><td>Ratio of actual load to the full load or capacity (e.g. mass or volume) that a vehicle carries per trip.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Segment</strong></td><td>Part of the transportation process involving the movement of inputs or products between point A and point B within the project boundary.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Transport segment</strong></td><td>One shipment of a fixed amount of material from a known location A to a known location B. It represents a one-way trip.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Transport Unit</strong></td><td>A general term used to describe any vehicle, vessel, or mode of transportation used to move goods or passengers from one location to another. In this module version, this includes trucks and ships.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Transport type/ mode of transport</strong></td><td>Type of transport. E.g. by land (truck, rail, pipe), by water (boat, ferry), by air (airplane). This module's first version focuses on road and sea transport type.</td></tr></tbody></table>

[^1]: Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2023 concerning batteries and waste batteries, amending Directive 2008/98/EC and Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and repealing Directive 2006/66/EC (Text with EEA relevance)
