The International Carbon Registry (ICR) has approved a new coal-abatement methodology “in principle only”, restricting its use to a pilot project while reserving a final decision until the approach has been tested in practice.

At the beginning of October, the ICR Board approved methodology M-ICR010, Coal Abatement for the Energy Transition v3.0, subject to conditions. The registry said the methodology is the first of its kind and is intended to credit emissions reductions achieved by permanently leaving commercially viable thermal coal reserves unmined.

The decision, announced last Friday, allows the methodology to be published and used by its developer, TransEnergy Global. It does not constitute approval or registration of a project, and the methodology cannot yet be used to issue ICR carbon credits.

TransEnergy Global must bring its first project into validation within six months. No other project can be registered under the methodology until that project has been registered and the registry has completed its review.

The ICR plans to reassess the methodology after the first project has been verified or within 24 months of approval, whichever comes first. It will also report on the methodology’s application to the board at each regular meeting.

The methodology underwent public consultation, independent validation by TÜV NORD CERT under ISO 14064-3 and ICR review across three rounds before reaching the board.

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The board identified questions around additionality, market leakage and permanence. These include reliance on the asset owner’s assessment of commercial viability and the role of legal rather than economic barriers in ensuring coal remains underground.

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