What book and claim means
Book and claim is a chain-of-custody model that allows environmental attributes to be separated from the physical product and transferred through certificates.
The producer books the environmental attribute into a tracking system. The buyer claims the attribute after acquiring and retiring the certificate, subject to appropriate rules and documentation.
Chain-of-custody models in plain language
| Model | How it works | When it is useful |
|---|---|---|
| Physical segregation | Lower-carbon material is physically kept separate through the supply chain. | When traceability is feasible and volumes are manageable. |
| Mass balance | Inputs and outputs are tracked across a system while allowing some physical mixing. | When supply chains involve blending but allocation rules can be maintained. |
| Book and claim | Environmental attributes are separated from physical goods and transferred through certificates. | When physical traceability is difficult but verified production and certificate controls are possible. |
What controls book and claim needs
A credible book-and-claim system needs more than a spreadsheet. It needs clear production linkage, attribute definition, issuance rules, ownership tracking, transfer controls, retirement records, and claims guidance.
Without those controls, the risk of double counting, overclaiming, or market confusion increases.
S3 Markets role
S3 Markets provides the infrastructure for book-and-claim commodity EAC workflows, including issuance, transfer, retirement, and documentation.
The goal is to make attribute movement transparent enough for buyers, producers, and reviewers to understand what was produced, what was issued, who acquired it, and when it was retired.