BOLD Carbon (CH4)
(Breakthrough in Organics Landfill Diversion) v1.0
A carbon credit designed to accelerate the transition to a resource-efficient, low-carbon, and inclusive circular economy
Methodology: certification of avoided methane emissions from aerobic composting of organic waste at small-scale, professional composting facilities and distribution of rewards to supply chain contributors.
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OVERVIEW
Organic waste represents 49% of global waste, and while it is 100% recyclable, at least 89% of it ends up in landfills, where it decomposes anaerobically and generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas (GHG). Landfills are the third largest emitters of anthropogenic-derived methane (CH4), representing 11% of global methane emissions and between 3.2% and 5% of global GHG emissions. Tackling methane emissions has become a top priority for combating climate change because methane has a global warming potential over a 100-year period (GWP100) that is 28 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2). The challenge is made more difficult by the fact that methane emissions continue to grow while needing to be reduced by ⅓ by 2030 to keep global warming below 1.5 Celsius.
But this is only part of the picture. Organic waste, when mixed with recyclables, also hinders the work of sorting and recycling other materials, reducing overall recovery volumes and recycling rates. As recyclable materials are buried in landfills or burned in incinerators, additional raw material extraction, hauling, and processing are required—all of which are very carbon-intensive and could be avoided. The existing inefficiency in resource management presents a tremendous opportunity to not only preserve natural resources and eliminate waste but also to decarbonize our global economy. It is estimated that a transition to a circular economy can reduce global GHG emissions by 45%. A separate study suggests that if we simply double our current circularity rate, we could address 85% of the GHG reduction needed to stay below 2 degrees Celsius, making the transition to a circular economy one of the most important and effective strategies for mitigating climate change available today.
Removing organic waste from traditional landfill waste streams and directing it to proper biological treatment, such as professional composting facilities, is the key to unlocking the transition to a low-carbon circular economy—the subject of this methodology. Unfortunately, organic waste sorting, hauling and treatment are more expensive than landfilling or incineration in virtually every location, presenting a serious economic and political challenge for putting the necessary infrastructure and incentives in place. The BOLD (Breakthrough in Organics Landfill Diversion) Carbon (CH4) Credit, certified by this methodology, is designed to reward participants for their environmental contributions and encourage others to join in organic waste sorting and composting, thus driving overall system change from a linear “Take > Make > Waste” economy to a circular economy. Carrot utilizes a digital Measurement, Reporting and Verification (dMRV) process for recording, auditing and verifying circularity, along with measuring the GHG emissions avoided at landfills due to verified composting work in accordance with the UNFCCC's AMS-III.F.: Avoidance of methane emissions through composting, Version 12.0 methodology. The proceeds from the sale of credits are distributed to supply chain participants as described in Carrot’s Rewards Distribution Policy and can be verified by anyone as the transactions are recorded on a public blockchain. The process for issuing credits is verified by independent third parties, and the added transparency provided through Carrot’s technology aims to make certification affordable and accessible to composting facilities around the world, helping to jumpstart the circular economy everywhere.
The BOLD CARBON (CH4) credit certification methodology applies established environmental science and digital verification technology to certify and incentivize methane emissions reductions through composting. This methodology is structured to evolve, ensuring both scalability and rigorous standards while remaining accessible and credible within carbon credit markets. By focusing on methane avoidance rather than mitigation, BOLD CARBON (CH4) delivers immediate climate impact, preventing emissions before they happen rather than attempting to manage them after release. With clear additionality and verifiable outcomes, this methodology supports the transition to a low-carbon, circular economy, providing a structured, transparent, and scalable solution for addressing methane emissions globally.
View and download the methodology as a PDF
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