An assessment framework for the documented, measurable and verifiable climate impact of voluntary carbon-swallow and related programmes under the standard.
The Quality Carbon Swallow Standard™ provides a standardized framework for the documented, measurable and verifiable assessment of greenhouse-gas emissions avoided through carbon removal and storage generated from carbon capture, storage and utilization, including the displacement of fossil-based electricity generation.
QCSS™ assesses the climate impact of converting carbon capture, storage and utilization into electricity through carbon capture and storage systems, as well as through carbon capture, storage or utilization systems.
The assessment considers the relevant carbon flows, material and energy balances, project boundaries, baseline conditions, permanence, monitoring data and the applicable greenhouse-gas calculation methodology.
Documented project data, verifiable calculations and prevention of double counting are fundamental operating principles of QCSS™.
QCSS™ can be widely applied to carbon swallow projects and programmes where CO₂ capture, storage, or utilization can be documented using appropriate project, technology, material, and energy-balance data.
Carbon swallow activities capture, store, or utilize CO₂ originating from the atmosphere or other emission sources, thereby potentially contributing to an improvement in the atmospheric carbon balance. QCSS™ provides a documented and conservative framework for assessing this CO₂e impact.
The process runs from mapping the technology and project through examination of carbon flows, material and energy balances, permanence and relevant GHG data to a quantified and verifiable result.
QCSS™ assesses avoided CO₂e emissions resulting from carbon removal and storage generated from carbon capture, storage and utilization through a structured and conservative approach.
Appropriate access to relevant baseline data and essential project documentation supports verification of the credibility of the calculations.
Project and technology data must be documentable, traceable, and suitable for professional review.
QCSS™ supports continuous improvement of the quality system and regular review of changing data and methodological parameters.
Comprehensive technology mapping, assessment of the pre-project condition, and prioritization of long-term results form part of the QCSS™ approach.
The technology description, process flow, inputs, outputs, energy balance, and GHG calculations must be subject to professional cross-checking.
Ownership of the project and the CO₂ result must be documented, and the same climate result must not be counted more than once in multiple systems or by multiple parties.
The QCSS™ process proceeds from mapping the applied technology and project data through carbon-flow assessment, permanence evaluation and CO₂e quantification to a documented and verifiable climate result.
Identification and capture of carbon from the relevant source, process or material stream.
Assessment of the storage pathway, permanence, carbon reservoir and conditions supporting long-term or permanent retention.
Assessment of carbon utilization pathways and their ability to deliver a durable and documented climate benefit.
Quantification of the resulting greenhouse-gas mitigation using the applicable QCSS™ methodology, project data and conservative assumptions.
Properly assessed and verified greenhouse-gas mitigation may provide the basis for the issuance of Quality Carbon Swallow Credit™.
The QCSS™ standard also establishes the framework for creating the Quality Carbon Swallow Credit™, or QCSC™.
One Quality Carbon Swallow Credit™ represents one metric tonne of CO₂e greenhouse-gas mitigation, assessed and verified in accordance with the requirements of QCSS™.
The result of the QCSS™ calculation model is expressed as a CO₂e value. Under the standard, one full tonne of CO₂e corresponds to one VCC credit unit.
The public website presents the purpose, principles, and general assessment logic of the Quality Carbon Swallow Standard™. The complete standard documentation contains the detailed requirements, application and assessment framework, as well as the conditions governing access and use.
The complete documentation is intended for organizations and professional stakeholders seeking to apply the QCSS™ system to carbon-swallow project assessment, project development, verification, or carbon-credit generation.
Request access to the complete standard documentation, or submit the basic data of your carbon swallow project for preliminary assessment.
Request information about access to the complete QCSS™ documentation, licensing, or professional-use conditions.
Submit the basic data of your carbon-swallow project for a preliminary QCSS™ assessment.