Sustainability glossary
Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4
THR's four-step classification that separates "lower than fossil diesel" from "carbon-neutral", defined against the 94 g CO₂e/MJ fossil comparator. It is a THR framework, not a regulatory category.
| Tier | Lifecycle intensity (g CO₂e/MJ) | Meaning | HVO examples on central estimates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Above 94 | Emits more than fossil diesel | Palm on drained peat; palm once ILUC is counted; soybean from newly converted land |
| Tier 2 | Above 5, up to 94 | Lower than fossil diesel but net-positive | Rapeseed, canola, U.S. soybean, sunflower, intermediate oilseeds; used cooking oil, tallow, distillers corn oil and PFAD on attributional accounting |
| Tier 3 | Above 0, up to 5 | Near-zero, a saving of about 95 percent or more | None today; waste-oil HVO could reach about 3 to 5 g with renewable hydrogen and energy and verified surplus waste |
| Tier 4 | 0 or below | Net-zero or net-negative | None; requires durable carbon removal |
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Related terms
THR carbon-neutrality tiers
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