Paulien Veen unpacks Carbon Accounting Foundations for CCS
- 04/06/2025
Photo by Ruben Soltvedt courtesy of Northern Lights
In a recent article for the CCS+ Initiative, Paulien Veen, Head of Carbon Markets Implementation at Perspectives Climate Group, offers a thoughtful exploration of recent advancements in carbon accounting for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects. Published on June 4, the article outlines how new methodology components introduced in April 2024 are helping to establish a credible and scalable framework for CCS within voluntary carbon markets.
Central to the update is the addition of a dedicated BECCS module, accompanied by two technical tools designed to tackle persistent accounting challenges: one for managing emissions linked to shared infrastructure, and another for differentiating carbon removals from reductions. These tools build on Verra’s CCS methodology framework (VM0049) and pave the way for a broader range of projects to generate verified carbon credits under Scope 16 of the Verified Carbon Standard.
Within her analysis, Paulien returns to the fundamental logic behind capturing and storing carbon and traces the CCS+ Initiative’s journey—from a partnership between South Pole and Perspectives Climate Group to a dynamic, worldwide coalition of nearly 50 experts spanning academia, industry, and startups. Looking ahead, the initiative is expanding to include carbon capture from biogenic material processing and tackling emissions reductions in hard-to-abate sectors such as cement and steel. A harmonised global standard remains the goal, aiming to integrate CCS+ across voluntary and compliance markets.
“For CCS to scale, we believe standardisation and transparency are key.”, Paulien writes. “A harmonised, high-integrity approach benefits everyone: project developers, regulators, and the climate.”
Paulien’s insights on CCS+ modular approach and progress have additionally been featured in a CarbonPulse interview published on June 3, 2024.
