Aug 1, 2023   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Andes Releases First-Ever Microbial Carbon Mineralization Methodology

Andes, a carbon removal company focused on the generation of inorganic carbon in agricultural soils, has announced the public release of the industry-first Microbial Carbon Mineralization (MCM) methodology. This document is the culmination of many years of work across the Andes team, leading academic institutions, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists, agricultural communities, and carbon market experts.

Andes developed this ISO 14064 methodology with EcoEngineers, a clean energy consulting, auditing, and advisory firm with expertise in developing carbon removal monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) approaches.

The methodology has been reviewed by renowned experts in geochemistry, soil science, environmental microbiology, agriculture, and carbon removal. The approach uses direct soil sampling from a rigorous protocol based on Verra’s VM0042 and incorporates feedback from USDA experts and the Andes science team.

“This document has been designed to be transparent, accountable, and conservative,” said Gonzalo Fuenzalida, CEO and co-founder of Andes. “Within the context of open terrestrial systems, we believe our methodology is paving the way for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) companies to sustainably scale up activities while promoting maximum visibility and transparency in methods.”

“Our scientists and engineers worked closely with Andes to develop this breakthrough MCM methodology, which validates their innovative technology,” said Shashi Menon, CEO, EcoEngineers. “It’s inspiring to see companies like Andes taking the lead in developing new methods to help our planet.”

In addition to this methodology, Andes is continuing to collaborate with researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Yale University, University of Texas at Austin, and several other leading institutes and will finalize a technical whitepaper and peer-reviewed paper soon.

This methodology currently is under validation by Earthood, an accredited auditor, in accordance with ISO 14064, an established international standard of carbon project quantification, monitoring, and reporting. Validation paves the path for independent third-party verification of Andes’ carbon removal activities and outcomes in accordance with this methodology. Andes will continue to refine its approach and update this methodology and collective understanding of an MCM pathway in line with the best available science.

About EcoEngineers

EcoEngineers is a consulting, auditing, and advisory firm with an exclusive focus on the energy transition. From innovation to impact, Eco helps its clients navigate the disruption caused by carbon emissions and climate change. Eco helps organizations stay informed, measure emissions, make investment decisions, maintain compliance, and manage data through the lens of carbon accounting. Its team of engineers, scientists, auditors, consultants, and researchers live and work at the intersection of low-carbon fuel policy, innovative technologies, and the carbon marketplace. Eco was established in 2009 to steer low-carbon fuel producers through the complexities of emerging energy regulations in the United States. Today, Eco’s global team is shaping the response to climate change by advising businesses across the energy transition.

About Andes

Andes is a climate tech startup based in Alameda, CA with a passion for leveraging science and technology to stop further escalation of the negative impacts caused by climate change. Through enhancing a natural process, Andes' beneficial microorganisms remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into minerals in the soil. Andes' microorganisms seamlessly integrate with traditional agricultural practices to pave the way for high permanence, low-cost carbon removals that will lower our planet's atmospheric CO2 at gigatonne scale in years, not decades. The company has raised a total of $38 million from investors Voyager VC, Yamaha Motor Ventures, Leaps by Bayer, Cavallo Ventures, KdT, Venturance, Germin8, and Accelr8.For more information, go to https://www.andes.bio/