Puro.earth recently published a new set of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) methodology documents, introducing Direct Air Capture and Geological Storage (DACCS) as the first activity to be certified under its CCS+ Programme. This development increases the number of carbon removal pathways available through Puro.earth and enables DACCS suppliers to certify their activities under an additional recognized framework. The program is already accepting applications from DACCS suppliers, who can receive CCS+ Carbon Removal Certificates (CCS+ CRCs) for verified carbon removal performance.
This initiative is another step in Puro.earth’s approach, which enables carbon removal projects to obtain certification under various accredited programmes through shared infrastructure. The integration of the CCS+ Initiative's methodologies into Puro.earth's existing certification system is intended to provide a structured process for certifying carbon removal activities, while maintaining clear requirements for monitoring, verification and long-term storage.
CCS+ Methodologies Integration into Puro.earth Framework
The CCS+ methodology was developed through an international collaboration of stakeholders, including technology and solution providers, CO2 emitters, transportation and storage companies, academic institutions, and civil society representatives. By bringing together experts from different stages of the carbon capture and storage value chain, this wide participation has helped establish a common methodological approach for assessing these activities.
Puro.earth has incorporated these methodology suites into its established certification framework, which supports multiple programs within the same infrastructure. The CCS+ program is joining the existing Puro.earth’s program and the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) program and will provide more options for suppliers seeking certification. Under this arrangement, carbon removal credits certified through the CCS+ program will be issued as CCS+ CRCs in the Puro.earth registry.
The published documentation includes seven components that are designed to establish requirements for various aspects of CCS projects.
The published CCS+ Program documents are:
- CCS+ Carbon Capture and Storage Methodology;
- CCS+ Module A, covering Direct Air Capture;
- CCS+ Module C, addressing CO2 transport for CCS projects
- CCS+ Module D, including CO2 storage in Saline Aquifers
- CCS+ Tool E, which differentiates Reductions and Removals in CCS projects;
- CCS+ Tool F, which accounts for CO2 in CCS Projects using shared infrastructure; and
- Puro.earth CCS+ Program Annex, which specifies additional requirements applicable to the program.
These documents operate alongside Puro.earth’s Certification Procedures and Common Criteria. Altogether, these documents provide the framework for evaluating projects and determining whether their activities meet the applicable certification requirements. Notably, distinguishing emissions reductions from removals matters because they accomplish two fundamentally different things: avoiding new emissions and removing existing atmospheric CO2 deliver distinct climate benefits that must be tracked separately.
The program also introduces a specific permanence framework supported by the Puro.earth CCS+ Buffer Pool. This framework addresses the long-term durability of carbon storage, an important factor to consider for DACCS projects because their climate benefit depends on captured atmospheric CO2 remaining safely stored rather than returning to the atmosphere.
Opportunities for DACCS Suppliers and Verification Bodies
The methodology suite's publication opens a new certification route for DACCS operators through Puro.earth. These projects capture CO2 directly from the air, transport it to an appropriate storage site, and store it underground in formations such as saline aquifers. By incorporating capture, transport, and storage into the certification framework, the program provides a way to evaluate the entire carbon removal process.
Certification under the CCS+ Program allows suppliers to have their performance evaluated against the published methodologies and receive CCS+ CRCs for verified carbon removal. Access to Puro.earth’s existing certification infrastructure may also help suppliers navigate the certification process without the need for a separate platform.
Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs) are another important part of implementation. These independent bodies are responsible for assessing whether projects align with the relevant methodological and certification requirements. Puro.earth’s certification procedures establish the requirements and processes relevant to VVBs, and the CCS+ program annex provides additional provisions specific to the program. These arrangements also support the training of VVBs to validate and verify CCS+ activities.
Through Puro.earth’s document library, DACCS suppliers can now consult the published documents and apply through the existing certification process. While the initial implementation focuses on DACCS, this launch establishes a foundation for integrating the CCS+ Initiative’s methodologies into Puro.earth’s broader, multi-program framework.
In conclusion, this development increases the number of certification options available to carbon removal suppliers and outlines a process for evaluating DACCS projects. The effectiveness of this process depends on the consistent application of the methodologies, accurate verification, and reliable accounting of permanent storage. Regarding the carbon removal sector, this launch is a practical step toward making DACCS certification more accessible while maintaining attention to environmental integrity and the credibility of issued carbon removal credits.
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