The Octagem Framework
Mathematically Derived. Chemically Confirmed. Visually Revealed.
The first carbon credit quality standard derived from carbon's own geometry
The Complete Octagem
AAA rating: Large, symmetric, comprehensive quality
Ideal Carbon Credit
What Makes It Complete?
- Direct Removal: Extracts existing atmospheric CO₂
- Measured: Direct physical verification, <5% uncertainty
- Permanent: Geological stability, 2000+ years
- Triple-Verified: Certification + blockchain + oversight
- Blockchain Tracked: Immutable, transparent ledger
- Equity-Centered: Community-led, >80% local benefits
- Economically Viable: Profitable without subsidies
- Carbon Positive: >110% net efficiency
The 8 Quality Facets
Maximum score: 85 points (7 × 10 + 1 × 15)
Methodology
What does this credit DO to the atmosphere?
Remove or Avoid?
Octagem Position: Top (0° / 12:00)
Biochar, DAC, enhanced weathering, ocean alkalinity
Reforestation with soil sampling, regenerative ag with tracking
Afforestation using growth models, cannot exceed AA rating
RECs, energy efficiency, REDD+, cookstoves
Unverifiable claims, non-additional avoidance
Measurability
How do we KNOW this happened?
Measured or Modeled?
Octagem Position: Upper Right (45° / 1:30)
Weighed samples, lab analysis, CEMS, <5% uncertainty
Satellite + ground truthing, 5-10% uncertainty
LiDAR, flux towers, peer-reviewed methods
Statistical curves, historical averages, >25% uncertainty
No protocol, proprietary calculations, missing baselines
Stability
How LONG does this carbon stay locked?
Permanent or Temporary?
Octagem Position: Right (90° / 3:00)
2000+ years: mineral carbonation, biochar, basalt injection
100-2000 years: biochar in soil, deep forest management
20-100 years: commercial forestry, agroforestry
<20 years: cookstoves, unverified programs
Fire, disease, land use change, no insurance
Reliability
How CONFIDENT are we in this claim?
Octagem Position: Lower Right (135° / 4:30)
Third-party cert + blockchain + government oversight
Major standard + government OR blockchain
Verra, Gold Standard, ACR, Puro.earth
Internal verification, industry standards
Trust-based, proprietary methods, no public docs
Traceability
Can we TRACK this credit from creation to retirement?
Octagem Position: Lower Left (225° / 7:30)
Hedera, Ethereum, public ledger, cryptographic proof
Verra, Gold Standard, unique serial numbers
Serial systems, PDF docs, Excel tracking
No tracking, verbal agreements, unverified transfers
Social Impact
Does this credit promote EQUITY and generate co-benefits?
Octagem Position: Bottom (180° / 6:00)
Community-led, FPIC, >80% local revenue, capacity building
40-80% local revenue, stakeholder consultation, co-benefits
No harm safeguards, minimal local benefit
Land grabs, displacement, labor violations
Viability
Is this credit ECONOMICALLY sustainable?
Octagem Position: Left (270° / 9:00)
Profitable, multiple revenue streams, <$50/ton break-even
$75-150/ton break-even, some subsidy dependence
>50% subsidy required, >$200/ton break-even
Perpetual losses, no path to profitability
Net Carbon Efficiency
What is the carbon COST of delivering this carbon benefit?
Octagem Position: Upper Left (315° / 10:30)
>110% efficiency: biochar with syngas, enhanced weathering from waste
80-100%: local biochar, renewables-powered DAC
60-80%: imported feedstock, some fossil use
40-60%: fossil-heavy supply chain, grid-powered DAC
<20%: embodied emissions > gross removal
The Grading System
Example: Farmer-owned biochar cooperative
Example: Enhanced rock weathering with farmer partnerships
Example: Nuclear hydrogen, grid-powered DAC
Example: Solar RECs, verified forestry
Example: REDD+, unverified programs
Example: Paper offsets, questionable additionality
Example: Fraudulent claims, reversed credits
Why the Octagem Framework Works
Scientifically Unassailable
Not arbitrary. Derived from binary classification (2³ = 8 credit types), confirmed by carbon's octet rule (8 electrons for stability), visualized as perfect octagem geometry.
Visually Instant
Large symmetric octagem = comprehensive quality. Collapsed sides = critical failures. Portfolio managers can compare hundreds of projects at a glance.
Comprehensively Rigorous
The binary tree ensures complete classification. The 85-point continuum captures nuance. Social Impact at 1.5x weight prevents green colonialism.
Market-Aligned
Maps to ICVCM, EU Taxonomy, SEC disclosure. Point 8 (Net Efficiency) closes the critical blind spot. AAA projects justify premium pricing.
Ready to Apply the Framework?
See real projects evaluated or learn how to implement Octagem certification