CSI's CO2 Sink Registry records first biogenic building

(CONNECT) The Global Construction C-Sink Standard developed by Frick-based Carbon Standards International in the Swiss canton of Aargau has been used for the first time as the basis for issuing CO2 certificates for a biogenic building. They were issued by OPENLY, according to a statement. The Widnau-based pioneer in biogenic building construction and CO2 sinks in buildings is offering these CO2 certificates in collaboration with the climate protection organization myclimate from Zurich.

Consequently, the first Global Construction C-Sink has now been entered in the publicly accessible Global C-Sink Registry. The standard applies with immediate effect, according to the statement, because the carbon is considered stored from day one. The sink is precisely located in the building and can be traded globally. “Certifying buildings as CO2 sinks delivers measurable environmental value, signals sustainable construction, and opens the door for tradeable CO2 certificates to drive industry change,” Andy Keel, CEO and Founder of OPENLY, is quoted as saying. 

The Global Construction C-Sink Standard verifies buildings and structures that contain biomass-derived and carbon-storing materials. As a result, these biomass materials, including hemp, straw, wood, and biochar, represent carbon sinks. Any verified building can be entered in the Global C-Sink Registry. The registry is recognized by the Geneva-based International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA).

According to Carbon Standards International, the first companies to use C-Sink credits based on its carbon standards include Swiss Re, Shopify, Atlassian, Banque Pictet, Woolgate Exchange Unit Trust, Celonis, Arup Group, Storebrand, and Zooplus. In addition, the operator of the CO2 sink registry says they are currently holding internal discussions about possible partnerships and collaborations. ce/mm