Methodology · 02
What you can and cannot claim.
Adapted from the open-source Credible Claims framework. This is what lets a QR code on a bag of coffee justify the line of text next to it, and what keeps your legal team off your back.
Three regulatory regimes set the outer bounds of what a coffee brand can say about biochar: the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition directive, California AB 1305, and the US Federal Trade Commission's Green Guides. Together they require that any environmental claim be substantiated, quantified if quantified-sounding, and supported by the kind of evidence a reasonable third party would accept.
Below is the short version. Every project page applies this framework to the specific partners involved.
Three scenarios
Pick the scenario that matches your position in the chain.
Feedstock contributor
Your farm or mill produces the residue that becomes biochar, but you do not retain credits or apply biochar on your own soil.
"We contribute coffee pulp to a CSI-certified biochar project in Huila. Certificates from that project are retained by project partners.", safe, not defensible as a carbon claim on its own.
Read the scenario →02Biochar user
You apply biochar produced from your supply chain to your own soil. You may retain the soil benefits but do not own or retire carbon credits.
"We apply 540 t/yr of biochar to 620 ha of member farms, improving soil moisture retention and reducing fertilizer requirements by up to 22%.", supported, measurable, no carbon claim.
Read the scenario →03Biochar + retired CDR credits
You are applying biochar AND have purchased and retired CSI credits matching a defined quantity. This is the only scenario that supports a quantified removal claim.
"In 2026 we retired 1,240 tCO₂e of CSI-certified biochar carbon removal credits from the Chiapas Altura project, matching 100% of our Scope 3 coffee emissions for this SKU.", quantified, registry-backed, defensible.
Read the scenario →Quick reference