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Carbon Gold’s aim is to mitigate climate
change and contribute to improved soil fertility through
the development of biochar-based products and projects
which stabilise the carbon contained in surplus biomass
and remove it from the carbon cycle by locking it away
in the soil. This
document sets out our guiding principles and the standards
to which all Carbon Gold projects and products will adhere.
Carbon Gold believes that biochar can
play a significant role in the fight against climate
change but accepts that it is not a "silver bullet" and
cannot be effective unless other conditions are met,
most notably that mankind reduces the harmful practices
which have led to global warming, particularly by reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and by desisting from agricultural
practices which lead to deforestation and destroy natural
ecosystems.
We actively support and promote research
into the application of biochar on soils.
Application
of Standards and maintenance of records
All Carbon Gold projects will adhere
to relevant international standards where they apply,
including the Clean Development Mechanism, the Voluntary
Carbon Standard and the standards of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity
Alliance (CCBA). In any event, all Carbon Gold projects
will adhere to the sustainability methodologies and processes
endorsed by the CCBA with independent third party validation.
Currently, only renewable energy activities are covered
by the Gold Standard but Carbon Gold will continue to
monitor for any change in this position by the Gold Standard
Foundation that includes carbon sequestration.
All Carbon Gold projects will adhere
to the guiding principles set out below to ensure that
our policy goals are met and can be independently verified.
Biomass Feedstocks:
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Biomass Feedstocks will
be derived from sustainably sourced biomass
Biomass feedstocks will be derived from surplus biomass
that is a by-product of agricultural or forestry
activities and which would otherwise be burned or
left to decay; we will not use peat in any of our
processes or products.
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We value and support existing
forests
Carbon Gold values and supports the protection of
existing forests. Forest derived feedstocks will
only be sourced from forests which are sustainably
managed.
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We will protect and enhance
biodiversity where we operate
Carbon Gold is committed to protecting and
enhancing biodiversity in all areas where we operate.
We oppose the creation of industrial-scale monoculture
plantations dedicated to the production of biochar
and recognise the risk of biodiversity loss from
such large-scale plantations. Where biomass is grown
for biochar it will be cultivated in a manner which
protects biodiversity.
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Biomass cultivation will
be sustainable
All Carbon Gold projects will be developed in a sustainable
manner which avoids soil degradation and conserve
water resources.
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Our feedstocks will be
pure
Carbon Gold biochar will be used as a soil amendment
to improve soil fertility; biomass used in the production
of biochar will be screened to ensure that only non
contaminated feedstocks are used.
Process and Supply Chain
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Our actions will be carbon
positive and transform the carbon cycle
Carbon Gold will use the best available technology
to ensure that the carbonisation process is clean
and where possible will utilise the heat that is
generated as part of the process.
Carbon Gold will minimise emissions associated with
the biochar supply chain.
Carbon Gold will ensure that
biomass is locally sourced so that GHG emissions generated
in the transportation of biomass feedstocks as well
as the transportation and application of biochar are
minimised.
Social Principles:
We will deliver long term social and
economic benefits to the communities in which we operate.
Carbon Gold projects will:
- employ local labour including local
managers and actively train and skill its workforce
- ensure that all aspects of projects
meet high health and safety standards
- ensure that its projects do not
adversely affect existing land rights or community
relations and where applicable have due regard to the
principles enshrined in the Convention on the Rights
of Indigenous People.
Products:
Carbon Gold products including Gro-Char™ are only made from biochar that adheres to the above
standards. All other ingredients of Gro-Char are organically
grown apart from the seaweed which is collected from
sustainable stocks.
Click
to download a PDF of our Statement of Principels
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