Our Methods

METHODS

delivering industry-wide sustainability at Scale

INSETTING APPROACH

Driving Impact Through Lasting Systematic Change

At Athian, we choose to focus on carbon insetting. In contrast to traditional carbon offsets, insets keep the environmental and economic benefits of a carbon reduction within the value chain of a specific industry. Carbon insetting can have a significant impact on a company's overall sustainability performance by reducing emissions within its value chain and fostering more sustainable practices among its suppliers and partners. By embracing the insetting approach, we offer companies a financially viable and scalable option to achieve their goals while supporting systematic changes.

GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

Ensuring Compliance, Transparency, and Accountability

We believe that scientific rigor, transparency, and accountability are essential to making that mission a reality. As part of our commitment to these beliefs, we have established a Scientific Advisory Board and defined our principles, standards, and processes in a publicly available Governance Framework. Utilizing these standards, we have developed a platform that merges established best practices with technical innovations to deliver validated, verified carbon assets based on sound scientific methodologies.

Download The Governance Framework

February 2026 | Version 1.2

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SCALEABLE INTERVENTIONS

Protocols

Protocols are a fundamental component of all interventions available on the Athian platform. They identify intervention requirements and provide a consistent, standardized approach for implementation, data collection, quantification, and verification.

In order for a protocol to be approved for use on the Athian platform, it must first be vetted by the Athian Scientific Advisory Board and reviewed by an accredited, third-party Validation & Verification Body (VVB) against ISO Standards.

Once approved, protocols are reviewed on an annual basis to ensure sound methodology and allow for continuous improvement and innovation. This consistency, structure, and standardization facilitates the scale and volume needed to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction goals of the livestock industry.

Proposal

Proponents submit a Proposal for Protocol to Athian for consideration and initial review.

SAB Review

The Scientific Advisory Board reviews the proposal and evaluates the credibility of the methodology.

Protocol Draft

Proponents draft a protocol in accordance with Athian’s governance & program standards.

Validation

An accredited third-party auditor validates that the protocol is in compliance with ISO standards.

Rollout

Validated protocols are pilot-tested then cataloged and made available for public review.

Annual Review

Protocols are reviewed annually to ensure they are supported by the most recent scientific studies.

RESOURCES

Athian Protocol Library

The protocols included in this library are approved for use in an Athian program. All protocols are open to public feedback upon their addition to the protocol library. Please submit any feedback using the dedicated form.

Verification

Rigorous, independent verification is the foundation of every credible claim made on the Athian platform. This section provides the resources verifiers need to conduct and support compliant, consistent verification engagements.

Approved Verification Bodies

The independent, third party validation and verification bodies listed below have been approved by Athian to conduct verification engagements for our active protocols and geographies. To learn more or become an Athian Verifier, review the Athian VVB Standards & Procedures or contact support@athian.ag

Template Library

These templates support a consistent, standardized reporting structure for project verifications and reflect the most recent approved versions in use. Templates are updated periodically to align with methodological, governance, and regulatory requirements.