Why Puro.earth
Environmental sustainability impacts everything from consumer loyalty to employee retention, from customer acquisition to stock market valuations.
We at Puro.earth ensure companies can neutralize carbon emissions with science-based carbon removals and remain trusted on the road to carbon net-zero.
When creating the CORC we considered the requirements of companies who are looking to fulfill ambitious climate commitments and want to avoid reputational risks associated with low-quality carbon offsets. Therefore CORCs are:
MeasurableStandard scientific equipment can measure the CO2 net-negativity of the products and we can determine the amount of CO2 captured and stored per tonne.
VerifiedAn independent third party, such as our partner DNV, a world leader in ISO certification, verifies the facility and product for carbon net-negativity at the “reasonable assurance” auditing level, higher in confidence than “limited assurance”.
Long termAll product methods are guaranteed to remove carbon from the atmosphere for at least 50 years, some for hundreds of years.
Industrial potentialThe chosen carbon removal methods can be scaled at the industrial level. |  |
All current production that is issued CORCs is in developed countries. Besides, carbon removal methods based on biomass are required to be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council to prevent environmental, economic and social negative consequences.
The CORC issuing process is based on CO2 removal actions that have already been completed prior to issuing the CORC. This eliminates the possibility of issuing more than one CORC for the same production output and limits vintage, as CORCs that have not been retired expire at 5 years from the issuing date. Each CO2 Removal Certificate (CORC) represents a volume of 1 (one) tonne of CO2 Removal and specifies the following attributes:
- Certificate Unique identifier
- Issuance Date
- Country of Issue
- Removal Method
- Facility Identity, Name and Location
- Start and End dates of production output
- Date on which the Production Facility became eligible to receive CORCs
- Whether the Production Facility has benefited from public support
CORCs can be a very cost efficient way to offset unavoidable emissions. With our methodologies we have resolved one important aspect of efficiency: CORCs are a lot lower in overhead costs per tonne removed than CDMs.
CORCs can be part of a diversified carbon removal portfolio or a unique trusted instrument, which is at the same time a tool for motivating employees and delighting customers. Companies who have purchased CORCs to neutralize emissions report that the innovation has been well received and has positioned them as climate leaders.
Carbon removal methods
Based on the Puro Standard, CORCs are issued for four CO2 removal methods (with more in testing and development):
 | BiocharA very stable, solid form of carbon that can endure in soil for thousands of years, making it an ideal technology for scalable carbon removal. It has multiple commercial uses at potentially industrial volumes, for example, as greenhouse additive, in soil regeneration and in wastewater treatment. It is produced from biomass or biowaste, through pyrolysis (heated in the absence of oxygen). |
 | Carbonated Building ElementsManufactured concrete-like building elements from steel slag (waste material from steel industry) instead of traditional cement. Basically, it’s CO2 negative concrete that removes more CO2 than its production emits. During the hardening phase CO2 is chemically bound and mineralized permanently into the building element. |
 | Wooden Building elementsGrowing trees capture carbon but the carbon may go back to circulation if the trees are cut, decompose or are used for paper or energy. Carbon removal is considered long term when it’s stored in wooden building elements. In Europe, buildings are regulated to have a minimum lifetime of 50 years, and in real life the CO2 storage is likely to be longer. By storing CO2 for a minimum of 50 years, wooden building elements present an opportunity for companies to invest in carbon capture and storage, and take proactive steps towards carbon neutrality. |
How are carbon removals verified?
1. A supplier makes a claim to us on the net-negativity of their products by presenting evidence: Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) or Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) which attests that the product has absorbed more CO2 that it has emitted.
2. Based on this evidence, compliance to the Puro Standard is audited by Puro.earth’s independent assessor, DNV GL, who visits the production facility, validates the accuracy of data and issues an audit statement. The costs of the verification are covered by Puro.earth.
3. The verified volume of extra carbon absorbed in the products is then issued CO2 Removal Certificates (CORCs) for every metric ton of CO2 removed and stored.
4. CORCs are sold in the Puro.earth marketplace to companies who want to neutralize their emissions by removals and become climate positive.
