Carbon Direct unveils biomass sourcing guide for carbon removal projects
Carbon Direct has released a new global guidance framework aimed at improving the sustainability and integrity of agricultural biomass sourcing for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects, as demand for biomass-based carbon removal accelerates worldwide.
Developed in collaboration with scientists, industry stakeholders and major carbon removal buyers including Microsoft and Stripe, the new guide seeks to provide practical standards for sourcing agricultural residues used in biomass-based CDR pathways.
The framework, titled Sustainable Agricultural Biomass Sourcing for CDR: A Buyer’s Guide, is intended to help project developers and carbon credit buyers assess sourcing risks and integrate sustainability safeguards into commercial agreements while formal certification systems continue to evolve.
Biomass-based CDR technologies accounted for more than 95% of high-durability carbon removal contracted in 2025, according to Carbon Direct. As investment in large-scale carbon removal projects increases, scrutiny has intensified around the sourcing of agricultural residues such as corn stover, wheat straw and rice husks, which are often already used within local agricultural and economic systems.
Carbon Direct said the guidance was designed to address concerns that poorly managed biomass sourcing could create environmental harm, disrupt local markets or negatively affect communities and soil health.
The guide outlines four core principles for responsible sourcing: traceability, community and worker protection, soil and environmental protection, and market integrity.
Under the framework, biomass feedstocks should be traceable throughout the supply chain, sourced in ways that minimise impacts on soil quality and carbon stocks, and avoid harm to local communities, workers and Indigenous Peoples. The guidance also seeks to prevent market distortions linked to agricultural or forestry products.
The framework is intended to be applicable across a range of international markets and governance conditions, taking into account differences in land tenure systems, monitoring capabilities, corruption risks and data availability.
Dr Bodie Cabiyo, Director of Interdisciplinary Science at Carbon Direct, said agricultural residues sit at the intersection of food systems, land management and carbon accounting, making robust sourcing standards essential for the credibility of carbon removal projects.
He said the guidance is intended to help ensure that sourcing decisions made today remain credible over time while giving buyers clearer standards for procurement contracts.
Phillip Goodman, Director of Carbon Removal Portfolio at Microsoft, said strong scientific standards are necessary to support the long-term growth of high-quality carbon removal markets.
Stripe Climate Research Lead Dr Zeke Hausfather added that while both the science and market for carbon removal continue to evolve, the guide provides an important starting point for scaling biomass-based CDR responsibly.
The new framework builds on earlier forest biomass sourcing guidance published by Carbon Direct in 2024 and 2025, as well as previous editions of the High-Quality Carbon Dioxide Removal guidelines developed jointly by Microsoft and Carbon Direct.
