Biogas methodology.
V4 biogas methodology with on-site usage verification and operational continuity checks.
Overview
Household and community biogas projects in India predominantly use the AMS-III.D (methane recovery) and AMS-III.R (methane avoidance) frameworks. These frameworks assume continuous system operation and stable feedstock availability, neither of which can be assumed for household cattle-dung biogas in India's agricultural heartland. V4's biogas methodology adds a cattle headcount verification step at each monitoring visit, seasonal operational continuity tracking, and a gas production cross-check against digester volume and feedstock quality. Slurry disposal, which can generate a legitimate soil carbon co-benefit, is also verified.
The gap
Biogas systems require continuous feedstock. Global methodologies do not verify operational continuity or cattle retention rates.
V4 extensions
- +On-site biogas usage verification (cooking, lighting)
- +Cattle headcount and feedstock availability verification
- +Operational continuity tracking (seasonal gaps)
- +Slurry use verification (agricultural soil carbon co-benefit)
Assessment pillars for biogas projects
Additionality (LPG/wood displacement)
Permanence (system operational continuity)
Monitoring (gas production, feedstock)
Social safeguards (farmer income)
Environmental safeguards (methane capture)
Common findings in biogas projects
- -Systems operational at 60% capacity due to feedstock gaps
- -Cattle numbers reduced post-issuance affecting gas production
- -Slurry disposal claims not verified against soil amendments
- -Seasonal operational gaps not captured in annual monitoring
Methodology update log
Cattle headcount verification protocol updated to include buffalo and mixed herds.
Seasonal gas production adjustment factors updated for North India winter cycle.
Slurry co-benefit verification criteria published as standalone annex.
AMS-III.R applicability criteria updated following UNFCCC methodology revision.