Glossary

General

Baseline scenario	The set of processes used to model the greenhouse gas emissions of what would happen without the project. Also called the reference scenario or business-as-usual scenario.
Buffer pool	A shared account of Riverse Carbon Credits that projects issuing removal Riverse Carbon Credits contribute to, used to compensate for carbon removal reversal.
Carbon avoidance	Avoiding greenhouse gas emissions that would have occurred without the project’s mitigation activity.
Carbon finance	The financial instruments and funding mechanisms resulting from the selling of carbon credits to support projects.
Carbon removal	Physically removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in biologic or geologic pools. Also called carbon sequestration.
Certification	The combined process of validation and verification of a project to issue Riverse Carbon Credits.
Commitment period	The duration over which carbon will be removed.
Crediting period	The duration over which a given project is eligible for Riverse Carbon Credits. Riverse limits the crediting period to a maximum of 5 years.
Discount factor	A percentage of verified Riverse Carbon Credits eliminated from each project and never issued. This acts as a safeguard against uncertainty in GHG reduction quantifications and overestimated carbon removal/avoidance.
Emission reduction	Decrease in greenhouse gas emissions between a baseline scenario and the project activity, including both removals and avoidance.
Ex-ante	Before the fact. Expected outcomes before the project mitigation activity has occurred. Provisional credits are based on ex-ante estimations.
Ex-post	After the fact. Actual outcomes after the project mitigation activity has occurred. All Riverse Carbon Credits are ex-post.
Global Warming Potential (GWP)	A measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere over a specific time period, compared to carbon dioxide (CO₂). It is a relative measure of the impact of a greenhouse gas.
MCI	The Material Circularity Indicator (MCI), developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, measures the extent to which a product's material flows are restorative.
Mitigation activity	The specific processes within a project that lead to carbon removal/avoidance.
Monitoring	Ongoing measurement of indicators to determine whether the project delivers the expected carbon removal/avoidance. Used for Riverse Carbon Credit verification.
Project	The mitigation activity/activities that are under consideration for issuance of Riverse Carbon Credits.
Project Developer	Entity responsible for executing the project, which should include a contact person plus company/organization name. The Project Developer may apply for Riverse Carbon Credits themselves (the default case), or designate a Registration Parter.
Project output	Products or services that the project generates.
Project scenario	The set of processes used to model the greenhouse gas emissions of the project, which must be functionally equivalent to the baseline scenario.
Provisional credit	The estimated Riverse Carbon Credits to be issued after operations occur and emission avoidance/removal is verified. The number of provisional credits is estimated ex-ante after the validation audit, and enables pre-purchase agreements.
Registration partner	An entity chosen by the Project Developer to apply for Reverse Carbon Credits and meet the Project Developer's obligations on their behalf.
Riverse Registry	The digital platform created by Riverse that tracks the issuance, purchases, and retirements of Riverse Carbon Credits.
Riverse Carbon Credit	1 tonne of CO2eq removed or avoided by a project’s mitigation activity.
Riverse Standard Documentation	The highest level of documentation that covers all projects and methodologies under the Riverse Standard. It includes the Riverse Standard Rules, the Procedures Manual, and other documents.
Validation	First evaluation to check if a project is eligible for Riverse Carbon Credits, and to estimate the expected number of provisional credits that will be issued.
Verification	Final evaluation of whether the expected carbon removal/avoidance occurred, based on ongoing monitoring. After verification, Riverse Carbon Credits are issued.

Battery second life

Auxiliary components	The individual non-electrochemical parts within a battery pack, including casings, connectors, and electronic control systems. It does not include Battery Units (BU) or Battery Management System (BMS).
Battery marketplace	An online or physical platform for buying, selling, or trading batteries or battery-related services.
Battery Management System (BMS)	Part of the battery pack that provides specific voltage and current levels.
Battery pack	Includes battery units arranged in series, parallel, or both to achieve specific voltage and current. It includes interconnects for conductivity and may have sensors for voltage and temperature, a BMS, and cooling systems.
Battery recycling	The process of recovering used batteries to extract valuable materials (such as metals, plastics, and chemicals) and ensure that harmful substances are safely disposed of. Unlike refurbishing or regeneration, the recycled battery is no longer usable after the process.
Battery refurbishing	The process of replacing worn components, reconditioning structure, disassembly, cleaning, and testing. High-quality parts are reused for "second-life" batteries, extending lifespan for battery repurposing or reuse in original application.
Battery regeneration	The process of restoring battery performance by reversing chemical degradation, via e.g. deep discharging and recharging, or applying specific electrical pulses. It can also include electrolytes replacement (Pb-acid batteries). It improves battery's capacity and efficiency without replacing major components. The regenerated battery usually returns to its original application.
Battery repurposing	A form of battery second life, where the battery is used in a different application than its original purpose.
Battery reuse to their original application	A form of battery second-life, where the battery is used in the same application it was initially designed for.
Battery second life	Extended use of a battery after it can no longer perform its original application from its first life. It is used for less demanding uses, such as energy storage in renewable energy systems or backup power, where lower capacity and power output are acceptable. This reduces environmental impact by delaying recycling or disposal, and replacing the need for new battery production.
Battery Unit (BU)	A single battery (lead-acid batteries) or cells and modules (li-ion and NiMH) that can store electrical energy and provide power.
EV battery	A battery designed specifically to power electric vehicles (EVs), typically using lithium-ion and NiMH chemistry.
EPR	Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach that holds manufacturers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, especially waste management.
ESS	An Energy storage system (ESS), is a battery capable of storing energy in order to supply electrical energy at a later time.
Industrial battery	Batteries that are used in off-highway electric vehicles such as forklifts, construction equipment such as scissor lifts, excavators, and agricultural machinery.
Li-ion	Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery is a type of rechargeable battery that relies on lithium ions moving between a graphite anode and a lithium metal oxide cathode during charge and discharge cycles.
LMT	Batteries used in Light Means of Transport (LMT) such as e-bikes and e-scooters. Usually using Li-ion and NiMH battery chemistries.
NiMH	A battery Nickel Metal Hydrade (NiMH) battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses a nickel oxide hydroxide cathode and a hydrogen-absorbing alloy anode.
Pb-acid	Lead-acid (Pb-acid) battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses lead dioxide as the cathode, sponge lead as the anode, and a sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte.
Preparation for reuse	Inspecting, testing, and preparing battery units, auxiliary components and packs to be reused either in their original function without significant alterations or repurposed and used for a different function (e.g. an EV battery repurposed to an ESS).
PRO	A Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) is an organization or company responsible for ensuring that producers meet their environmental obligations under EPR frameworks.
SLI	Starting, Lighting, and Ignition (SLI) batteries are a specific type of lead-acid battery used in vehicles to power ignition, lights, and electronic accessories.
SoH	The State of Health (SoH) represents a battery's condition and energy capacity compared to its original state. Expressed as a percentage, 100% indicates perfect condition, while lower values show degradation due to factors like age and use. SoH helps evaluate a battery's performance, and is a factor in determining remaining battery lifetime.

Biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS)

Bioenergy	Renewable energy derived from organic materials, such as plant and animal waste, agricultural crops, and forestry residues, that are converted into heat, electricity, or fuels through processes like combustion, gasification, or fermentation
BECCS	BECCS (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage) is a carbon mitigation technology that combines the use of bioenergy (from biomass) with carbon capture and storage (CCS) to remove and store carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the atmosphere
Biochar	material that is rich in stable carbon, produced through the thermal conversion of biomass in a low-oxygen environment
Delivery Risk	The potential risk that a project will not be able to deliver the anticipated results, such as the projected amount of biochar or carbon sequestration benefits.
End use application	The way biochar will be used, such as direct application to soil, mixing with compost and application of the mix to soil, mixing with cement for use in concrete.
End use point	The step in the production chain where biochar leaves the direct control of biochar producers, where it is assumed to be incorporated into its final end use application.
Embodied Transport Emissions	GHG emissions associated with the production, maintenance, and operation of transportation infrastructure and vehicles across all modes of transport (e.g., road, sea).
Feedstock	The organic material used as the raw input for biochar production, such as wood, agricultural residues, or manure.
Gasification	high-temperature process that involves the partial oxidation of organic materials in the presence of a controlled amount of oxygen (or air) and a gasification agent
GVW	Gross Vehicle Weight is the total weight of a vehicle, including its own weight plus the weight of any cargo
Loading rate	Ratio of actual load to the full load or capacity (e.g. mass or volume) that a vehicle carries per trip.
Molar H/Corg ratio	The ratio of hydrogen to organic carbon atoms in biochar, used to assess the stability and quality of biochar; lower ratios indicate higher stability.
Permanence horizon	Sequestration horizon, commitment period
Production batch	Biochar produced under the same conditions regarding production temperature and feedstock mix. A production batch has a maximum validity of 365 days.
Production batch ID	A unique identifier for each production batch.
Pyrolysis	thermal decomposition process that occurs in the absence of oxygen
Random reflectance	A measure of the reflectivity of biochar under a microscope, indicating the degree of carbonization, inertinite characteristics and permanence of the biochar.
Segment	Part of the transportation process involving the movement of inputs or products between point A and point B within the project boundary.
Transport segment	One shipment of a fixed amount of material from a known location A to a known location B. It represents a one-way trip.
Transport Unit	A general term used to describe any vehicle, vessel, or mode of transportation used to move goods or passengers from one location to another. In this module version, this includes trucks and ships.
Transport type/ mode of transport	Type of transport. E.g. by land (truck, rail, pipe), by water (boat, ferry), by air (airplane). This module's first version focuses on road and sea transport type.
Verification period	The time period of project activities that a given verification audit and carbon credit issuance covers. For biochar application to soils, this may be one calendar year, or the duration of validity of one production batch.

Biogas from anaerobic digestion

Biogas	A mixture of gasses produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic matter, primarily composed of biogenic methane and carbon dioxide. It can be used directly as a renewable energy source, or can be purified to biomethane.
Biogenic methane	Methane produced from the decomposition of organic matter, as opposed to methane derived from fossil fuels. It has a slightly lower global warming potential than fossil-based methane.
Biomethane	Methane that has been purified from biogas to meet quality standards for natural gas. It can be used for heating, electricity generation, or as vehicle fuel.
Dedicated crop	Crops specifically grown for use as feedstock in energy production, such as maize or sorghum, as opposed to crops grown for food or other purposes. They are cultivated during the main growing season and harvested at maturity.
Digestate	The nutrient-rich residue left after the anaerobic digestion of organic feedstock, which can be used as a fertilizer or soil conditioner.
Energy cover crop	Crops like clover or rye that are grown during the off-season for use as biogas feedstock. They prevent soil erosion and are harvested for energy production, unlike traditional cover crops, which are mixed into the soil.
Feedstock	Organic materials used as inputs in the production of biogas through anaerobic digestion, such as agricultural residues, food waste, or manure.
Methane	A colorless, odorless flammable gas (CH₄) that is the main component of natural gas and biogas. It is a potent greenhouse gas when released into the atmosphere.
Nitrous oxide	A potent greenhouse gas (N₂O) occasionally emitted during anaerobic digestion, especially with high-nitrogen feedstock. It has a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide.

Refurbishing of electronic devices

Buyback	Buying used devices from consumers.
Device A	In this methodology, Device A refers to the first life of the refurbished device in the project scenario, and the waste device in the baseline scenario.
Device B	In this methodology, Device B refers to the refurbished device in the project scenario, and the new manufactured device in the baseline scenario.
Functioning device	A device that is successfully refurbished by the refurbishing project. It replaces a new manufactured device.
Non-functioning device	A device that is not successfully refurbished by the refurbishing project. It may be recycled, dismantled for spare parts to be used by the refurbisher, or sold for spare parts.
Refurbishing	The process of repairing and restoring used devices to good working order.
Residual value	The value (economic and lifetime) of a used device that is still remaining when it is sold and/or sent for refurbishing.
Scrap materials	Parts of used devices that are no longer functioning and are replaced by spare parts in the refurbishing process.
Small IT and telecommunication equipment	A category of electronic waste (e-waste) defined by the WEEE directive, composed of devices no larger than 50 cm external dimension, including mobile phones, GPS, routers, personal computers, and printers.
Sold devices	A functioning device that was successfully refurbished and sold functioning by the refurbishing project. It fully meets the market requirements and replaces a new manufactured device.
Spare parts	Functioning parts used in the refurbishing process to replace non-functioning parts, such as a battery or display. They may be new manufactured parts, or harvested from dismantled non-functioning devices.
WEEE	Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment, also called e-waste

Biobased construction materials

Biobased construction material	Materials derived from biomass that are used in construction and other applications
Biogenic carbon	Carbon from organic matter that can be sequestered and stored in biobased products during their production, and released back into the atmosphere if they are incinerated or decayed. It is considered part of the short, natural carbon cycle, as opposed to fossil based carbon
Biomass	The biodegradable fraction of materials from biogenic origin, such as trees, plants, and agricultural and urban waste
Carbon storage duration	The number of years that biogenic carbon will be stored in a construction material. This corresponds to the reference service lifetime for the material’s first use, plus extended storage periods from reuse, recycling, or landfilling
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)	A standardized and independently verified document that communicates the environmental performance of a product, including construction materials, based on a life cycle assessment
Reference service lifetime	The expected or predefined period of use for a product or construction material, measured in number of years. Used for assessing its environmental impact over its life cycle
Modules A-D	Components and terminology of an environmental assessment under EN 15804, outlining the stages of a life cycle assessment for construction materials. They encompass (A) Production, (B) Construction/Installation, (C) Use, and (D) End of Life
Project biobased material	The biobased material from the project that is subject to removal and/or avoidance Riverse Carbon Credit issuance. Its production/use is the mitigation activity for this methodology.