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What is MRV in Carbon Removal?

MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) is the end‑to‑end process that proves a claimed tonne of CO₂ was captured from the atmosphere, transparently accounted for, independently verified, and stored durably (meaning for centuries or longer).

As carbon dioxide removal (CDR) becomes central to corporate net-zero strategies, one question keeps coming up: How do we know that carbon removal is actually happening—and that it’s real, measurable, and durable?

What is MRV? (Quick definition)


In carbon removal, MRV—Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification—refers to the set of processes and protocols used to track, report, and verify the amount of CO₂ removed from the atmosphere and stored away durably. MRV is the foundation for credible climate claims and the trust layer that enables carbon markets to grow with integrity.

MRV is how we ensure that a tonne of CO₂ claimed as “removed” was actually:

  • Captured from the atmosphere
  • Accounted for transparently
  • Verified by an independent third party
  • Stored durably, in line with best available science

Only when the dataset is complete and independently verified, confirming that removal has occurred and meets quality and durability thresholds, can a carbon removal credit be issued. Without MRV, climate claims lack credibility.

Why MRV Matters for Any CDR Project or Purchase


Scaling carbon removal to climate-relevant levels requires more than just ambition - it requires certainty. Certainty that each credit represents actual, permanent CO2 removal, and certainty that buyers, suppliers, and regulators can trust the data behind it. That certainty comes from MRV.

What MRV delivers:

  • Credibility & risk mitigation: Verifiable, science‑based data reduces greenwashing, reputational, and counterparty risk.
  • Efficiency & speed: Standardized, automated data flows cut admin work and shorten certification/issuance timelines.
  • Regulatory readiness: MRV is the foundation for any high-quality government removal policy, from CRCF certification in the EU (from 2026), to future ETS integrations in the EU, UK, Japan and beyond.
  • Finance enablement: A robust MRV plan from the start builds early-stage investor confidence to support a positive investment decision; once the project is operational, audit-ready records help unlock long-term offtakes with buyers and secure financing for scale-up or expansion.

How does MRV work?

  1. Data capture — dMRV collects method-specific data, contracts, and chain-of-custody information from suppliers (e.g. via IoT, ERP systems).
  2. Normalization — dMRV standardizes formats/units across sources and time.
  3. Quality checks — dMRV runs completeness and consistency checks, flags anomalies, and prompts the supplier to fix issues before submission.
  4. Net removal calculation — dMRV applies the Standard’s approved methodology to calculate net CO₂ removed, subtracting project and transport emissions (tCO₂e).
  5. Independent verification — An accredited Validation & Verification Body (VVB), appointed by the Standard (e.g. Carbon Standards International (CSI), Isometric, Puro, or Verra), audits the data directly in the dMRV system and confirms compliance.
  6. Issuance & registry — The Standard reviews the VVB report, issues traceable carbon removal credits with persistent IDs, and records them in its public registry.

The Role of Independent, Digital MRV in the Carbon Removal Journey

Standard
Defines what data and documentation are needed to assess the quality of a CDR project.
dMRV
dMRV collects and consolidates data, contracts, and chain-of-custody information from suppliers (e.g. via IoT, ERP systems), ensuring all required information is available for verification and certification.
Verification
An independent third-party validation & verification body (VVB), accredited by the Standard, verifies the project using the data and information provided by dMRV.
Certification
The Standard reviews the report provided by the VVB and if all requirements are met, issues a carbon removal credit. This credit is then listed on the Standard's registry with a unique ID and information on how the credit was verified.
Market Access
The verified carbon removal credit is then sold to buyers via a marketplace, such as Carbonfuture Marketplace.

How does digital MRV (dMRV) compare to traditional MRV approaches?

Traditional MRV
Digital MRV
Data Capture
Manual, periodic
Automated, near real-time
Reporting
Spreadsheets, individual reports
Standardized, API‑ready
Auditability
Fragmented trails
Immutable, audit‑ready logs
Error Exposure
Higher (manual entry)
Lower (supported by automated checks from the software)

From MRV to MRV+: Independent, Digital, and Comprehensive

Most MRV systems track data. Carbonfuture MRV+ does much more.

  • Independent: We operate separately from both carbon removal suppliers and standard-setters, ensuring objective, conflict-free assessment and data integrity.
  • Digital: Automated, near real-time tracking replaces manual data collection, spreadsheets, and slow, periodic audits.
  • Comprehensive: Beyond tracking, Carbonfuture MRV+ includes supplier support services and buyer-focused due diligence helping suppliers launch projects faster and enabling risk mitigation before tracking even begins.

The result? A complete trust infrastructure for durable carbon removal, built to serve buyers, suppliers, and standards bodies at market speed.

Traditional MRV approaches—manual data collection, spreadsheets, slow audits—aren’t built for a fast-moving, high-integrity carbon removal market. Carbonfuture MRV+ is a standard-agnostic, digital infrastructure for durable CDR, combining automation, scalability, and independent verification across multiple durable CDR technologies to deliver trust at market speed.  

Carbonfuture MRV+ includes:

  • Full-service support for CDR suppliers from project inception to credit sales
  • Rigorous due diligence to prepare projects for market success, de-risking investments for CDR buyers
  • End-to-end tracking of carbon removal activities, from carbon capture to durable storage
  • Automated, standardized reporting aligned with leading third-party certification standards such as Carbon Standards International (CSI), Isometric, Puro, or Verra.
  • Audit-ready records to support independent verification and credit issuance
  • Compatibility across multiple carbon removal methods including Biochar Carbon Removal (BCR), Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), and Direct Air Carbon Capture & Storage (DACCS)

Built for scale: Carbonfuture MRV+ handles high-frequency, high-volume data across diverse projects—from pilot initiatives to enterprise-level portfolios. It simplifies monitoring and reporting, accelerates verification, and supports credit issuance across voluntary and future compliance markets.

Every credit sold by Carbonfuture is backed by Carbonfuture MRV+, ensuring it meets the highest standards for integrity and transparency.

What Value Does Independent, Digital MRV Bring to Buyers, Suppliers, and Standards?

For Buyers

Trusted by leading buyers like Swiss Re, Microsoft, NextGen CDR Buyers Club Carbonfuture MRV+ provides assurance that every purchased CDR credit reflects verified, durable climate impact - reducing reputational, financial, and compliance risk.

“Independent digital MRV adds an extra level of safety. It’s a protective layer that helps us ensure that the credits we’re purchasing meet high standards of integrity.”

— Mischa Repmann, Senior Risk Manager at Swiss Re (October 2024)

For Suppliers

Carbonfuture MRV+ cuts certification timelines, simplifies reporting, and opens market access — backed by automation, standardization, and expert guidance to ensure your credits meet the highest standards.

“We chose Carbonfuture’s digital MRV system because it brings transparency and trustworthiness to our operations. The digital integration allows us to efficiently manage data and ensure our credits meet the highest standards.”

— Diego Justiniano, President of Exomad Green (October 2024)


For Standards Bodies

By standardizing and automating data flows, Carbonfuture MRV+ lightens administrative load, strengthens independent oversight, and safeguards the integrity of certification processes.

“Handling data from CDR suppliers is 95% of the workload for our largest team. It’s much easier when it comes in a standardized and automated way from an MRV provider.”

— Benno Fuchs, Chief Operating Officer at Puro.earth (October 2024)

MRV is how carbon removal earns trust. To build a climate-relevant carbon removal market, we need solutions that are transparent, scalable, and grounded in data. That begins with MRV—and is made operational through solutions like Carbonfuture MRV+.

Learn more about Carbonfuture MRV+ and how we enable trusted climate action at scale here.

Have questions? Contact our team for a walkthrough of Carbonfuture MRV+.

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