Catalyst-Activated Cycle (CAC) – Manuscript 4: Quantification and Climate Transition

Building on the mechanistic, ecological, and adoption frameworks established in CAC Manuscripts 1–3, this fourth paper quantifies the dual climate benefits of the Catalyst-Activated Cycle (CAC). Field-verified data demonstrate that catalytic microbial resets generate both Sequestered Emissions (SE) through necromass stabilization in mineral-associated organic matter and Avoided Emissions (AE) through nitrogen, fuel, and land-use efficiency. The Functional Resilience Quotient (FRQ) links these outcomes, providing a unified index that translates biological recovery into carbon performance consistent with ISO 14064 and SBTi-FLAG standards. By integrating FRQ, AE, and SE within the Functional Sustainability (FS) architecture, CAC establishes soil function as a measurable and tradable component of climate accountability. This manuscript closes the scientific loop between microbial succession and verified carbon outcomes, establishing M4 as the quantification-to-governance bridge within the CAC series and setting the stage for M5 and M6, which globalize, monetize, and govern functional carbon as a cornerstone of the regenerative economy. This manuscript is part of a six-paper series describing the Catalyst-Activated Cycle (CAC), a framework for measuring soil functional recovery, agronomic performance, and climate outcomes.