A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been finalized between the International Tracking Standard Foundation (I-TRACK Foundation) and an international consortium (Consortium) formed by Evident, Instituto Totum, and M-RETS to develop a Product Code for biogas and biomethane (the “I-TRACK(G) Code”) that will adhere to the strict requirements of the I-TRACK Foundation’s International Attribute Tracking Standard.
The goal of the I-TRACK(G) Code is to develop a standardized tracking methodology that is fact-based, ex-post, and technology agnostic, which would serve as the basis for a certificate instrument for producing biogas and biomethane. This mechanism will support organizations’ claims for biogas or biomethane usage, including that of low or net zero-carbon products.
Evident is the Accredited Code Manager and Registry Operator for I-REC(E) and the world’s leading provider of attribute certification services, with a global network of expert partners that certify electricity to the I-REC Standard Foundation. In addition to its role with I-REC(E), Evident is the implementer of the C-Capsule carbon removal certification product under the I-REC Standard and of the MiQ natural gas certificate under the MiQ Standard.
Instituto Totum is a leading certification body in environmental assets and self-regulation certification programs in Brazil. Instituto Totum has also been the local Accredited I-REC(E) Issuer of Brazil since 2016 and has managed the national GAS-REC certification program for biogas and biomethane since 2020.
M-RETS is a non-profit, mission-driven organization whose environmental attribute tracking platform facilitates the drive toward economy-wide decarbonization. The M-RETS Renewable Energy Certificate (“REC”) and Renewable Thermal Certificate (“RTC”) registries provide vital data that serve new and existing voluntary and compliance markets across the United States of America and Canada.
Jared Braslawsky, Executive Director of the I-TRACK Foundation, has explained that “all Consortium members are knowledgeable partners with the right background and experience to develop a well-designed and easily implementable attribute tracking mechanism for biogas and biomethane. The increasing relevance of tracking environmental attributes in these markets has led consumers to look for mechanisms to support claims of renewable origin of the consumed gas.”