FAQ

Hyphen's Atmospheric-Based GHG Monitoring

Science & Technology

What is atmospheric-based GHG monitoring?

It’s a direct measure of the quantity of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted into or removed from the atmosphere, which can be reported in real time. Unlike alternative ways of estimating GHGs, measurements actually quantify emissions, reductions, and removals using advanced instrumentation. Hyphen’s atmospheric-based GHG monitoring solution uses measurements taken by on-site eddy covariance systems complemented by remote sensed observations.

What is eddy covariance?

Eddy covariance is a high-precision instrument system, rooted in 50+ years of peer-reviewed field research, that tracks how GHGs move between the Earth and the atmosphere. It analyzes turbulent air patterns and changes in GHG concentrations (fluxes) to determine whether a landscape is emitting or absorbing carbon dioxide or other GHGs.

What are GHG fluxes?

GHG fluxes represent the changes in GHGs such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide in space and time. Positive fluxes occur when GHGs in the atmosphere are increasing, signifying emissions. Negative fluxes occur when atmospheric GHGs are reduced, signifying removals. Measuring fluxes tells you whether an ecosystem or activity is emitting or removing GHGs from the atmosphere.

How does atmospheric monitoring compare to traditional methods?

Traditional (activity-based) methods estimate emissions based on calculations and assumptions. Atmospheric-based monitoring continuously measures actual GHG fluxes in real time, offering more accurate, transparent, and trustworthy data — especially in nature-based project contexts.

Is atmospheric GHG monitoring scientifically accepted?

Atmospheric-based GHG monitoring is backed by 50+ years of peer-reviewed science and used by national atmospheric networks worldwide. It is one of the most credible ways of measuring GHGs afforded by current science.

What’s the difference between measurement and quantification?

In this context, measurement is a scientifically reproducible process for determining the size, amount, or degree of something using specific instruments or methods. In Hyphen’s case, measurement data on GHG concentrations is collected 10-20 times per second at the molecular level.

Quantification is the aggregation of this measurement data. In Hyphen’s context, the GHG concentration data is converted into the total quantity of carbon added to or removed from the atmosphere within a specific geographic boundary at various intervals in time - from 30 minutes to months to years – reported in metric tonnes of carbon dioxide or equivalent.

Can one accurately rely on Hyphen’s measurements?

Hyphen delivers the highest level of accuracy available in the market through its scientifically validated measurement and quantification techniques. To ensure full transparency, Hyphen discloses quantification uncertainty for each project area—supported by independent, cross-validated measurements.

Hyphen Methodology

How is Hyphen different from satellite-only MRV?

Satellite (remote sensed) observations are often used to estimate forest carbon stocks. For projects based on avoided deforestation, these stock estimates are used to estimate emissions that are avoided by not cutting a hypothetical portion of the forest down. Hyphen, by contrast, monitors actual emissions and removals continuously in real time.

Remote-sensed observations have been used to estimate fluxes on global scales, at resolutions ranging from 1 degree of latitude and longitude to .05 x .05 degrees (approximately 5 km x 5 km). This spatial resolution is too coarse, and the uncertainties too high, for monitoring individual carbon projects. Hyphen provides higher resolution (finer scale) real-time, continuous ground-based GHG measurements, complemented by remote sensing. Hyphen uses satellite observations, which are coarser in time and space, to inform modeled estimates based on site-specific correlations between measured fluxes and remote-sensed phenomena. In dynamic environments like forests or farms, only Hyphen’s on-site continuous monitoring can confidently deliver precise, reliable data at project scales.

What physical infrastructure is required?

Hyphen installs towers or tripods equipped with eddy covariance instruments — tall in forests, shorter in fields — powered by solar panels where necessary. The instruments are placed in specifically defined areas to ensure representative flux measurements.

Who oversees Hyphen’s science?

Hyphen collaborates with experts in atmospheric and climate sciences with backgrounds from academic and government science sectors. These include Hyphen’s strategic partner LI-COR, as well as NASA, NOAA, ESA, WMO, and more. Hyphen stays current with published literature to keep its science current to ensure its work is grounded in best available science and that methodologies are transparent, peer-reviewed, and registry-ready.

What gases can Hyphen measure?

Hyphen measures atmospheric fluxes for CO₂ (carbon dioxide), CH₄ (methane), and we measured soil fluxes for CO₂ (carbon dioxide), CH₄ (methane) N₂O (nitrous oxide).

How are monitoring sites chosen?

We plan tower placement based on vegetation, land type, wind, accessibility, and land management practices to ensure accurate coverage.

Who handles deployment and maintenance?

Hyphen partners with LI-COR, the global leader in GHG monitoring instrumentation. Hyphen and LI-COR together offer a turn-key solution for deployment, quality assurance, and long-term operation.

What role does Hyphen’s software play?

Hyphen’s proprietary software automates the full data lifecycle—seamlessly handling everything from raw data collection and post-processing to quantification, auditing records, and upscaling flux tower measurements. The platform delivers real-time, project-wide GHG quantification. Every step is transparently documented within the project metadata, enabling direct integration into carbon market systems for the issuance of high-quality carbon credits or emissions claims.

Does Hyphen use satellites too?

Yes—Hyphen integrates satellite and remote sensing data to complement, not replace, on-site measurements. Our AI-driven platform uses satellite imagery and other geospatial inputs to upscale flux tower data, enabling accurate, project-wide quantification of GHG fluxes while maintaining the scientific integrity of ground-based measurements. This hybrid approach ensures both granularity and full-area coverage.

What data standards does Hyphen follow?

We co-authored the Interwork Alliance’s dMRV Framework V2 to ensure carbon credits from our system are fully compliant, interoperable, and trustworthy.

Can Hyphen support biodiversity tracking?

Yes. Upon request we can integrate biodiversity sensors (like audio and camera traps) alongside our GHG systems, capturing both climate and ecological data for richer, multi-benefit credits.

Carbon Market

What types of credits does Hyphen support?

We support high-quality credits from forestry, wetlands, mangroves, grasslands, agriculture, waste management, and oil & gas—both for removals and reductions.

Does Hyphen support insetting as well as offsetting?

Yes - Hyphen’s real-time, highly accurate quantification is equally valuable for insetting (internal emissions reductions within a value chain) as it is for offsetting. Our platform provides continuous analytics and feedback, empowering land stewards to monitor, manage, and optimize mitigation practices in real time to maximize both GHG removals and reductions.

What carbon standards currently accept Hyphen’s atmospheric-based MRV methodology?

Hyphen has partnered with Social Carbon to produce a Module for Eddy Covariance-based Continuous Quantification of Greenhouse Gas Fluxes. Social Carbon is a UK-based carbon standard and registry endorsed by the International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA). The Module can be used as a methodological deviation for all of Social Carbon's existing methodologies, which encompass removals through conservation of areas of biodiversity importance as well as emissions reductions through afforestation, reforestation and revegetation, regenerative land management, adjusted water management for rice cultivation, mangrove restoration, and other nature-based practices.

Can Hyphen support other existing credit verification methodologies?

Yes. Our data can enhance or fully replace traditional estimates in project documentation, supporting transitions to direct-measurement approaches.

What makes Hyphen unique?

We offer the full package: our unique all-in-one solution synchronizes carbon credit methodology, eddy covariance flux tower implementation and maintenance, proprietary software, and carbon market registry integration. We are your one-stop partner.

How does Hyphen help restore trust in carbon markets?

By measuring what’s real. Our open-source, transparent approach replaces calculations and assumptions with direct evidence—enabling better credits, more investment, and real climate impact.

Can Hyphen support REDD+ and ARR projects?

Yes. For REDD+, we measure the actual removals of standing forest instead of relying on deforestation forecasts. For ARR, we quantify the actual GHG removals increasing over time resulting from new tree growth — year after year.

How does Hyphen address additionality?

Hyphen’s atmospheric-based MRV methods support existing carbon standards and methodologies, such as Social Carbon’s. These standards and methods define how additionality is addressed.

How does Hyphen align with global policies?

Atmospheric-based GHG monitoring methods have been internationally recognized through three separate intergovernmental processes. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) endorses atmospheric-based monitoring methods for quality assurance of national GHG inventories. Atmospheric-based monitoring is operationally implemented through the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) intergovernmental Global Greenhouse Gas Watch program, which builds on WMO's Global Atmosphere Watch program and Integrated Global Greenhouse Gas Information System (IG3IS). The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) recognizes IG3IS as an innovative science-based framework that supports the needs of a broad range of users by combining atmospheric observations with other sources of information to enhance understanding of GHG concentrations and fluxes at multiple spatial scales, and encourages its use. Countries such as Switzerland and the United Kingdom are already using atmospheric-based monitoring to verify their National GHG Inventories and others are actively working to expand their national GHG monitoring networks. Hyphen supports these policies through the deployment of atmospheric monitoring infrastructure and by cooperating with National Meteorological and Hydrological Services.

Hyphen's Atmospheric-Based GHG Monitoring

Science & Technology

Hyphen Methodology

Carbon Market

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