Baseline Methodologies for LULUCF: Overview

B. Schlamadinger

* Joanneum Research, Austriabernhard.schlamadinger@joanneum.at

Training Seminar for BioCarbon Fund ProjectsWashington, 12-14 September 2005

Applicant entities / Designated operational entities Different checkpoints for new methodologies Baselines and additionality Results of methodologies submitted Reasons for rejection; recommendations for

the future When are projects different? Classification of methodologies for BioCF projects

Contents

Methodology submission through AE or DOE

AEs and DOEs submit new methodologies in the name of the project proponent.

AEs and DOEs are obliged to check the completeness of the proposed methodologies BUT do not check the correctness of the new methodology – in contrast to the process later on in validation with respect to the PDD

Hence, AEs and DOEs function more as a mailbox than being a first quality control.

Source: M. Rumberg, Tuev-Sued

Definition: Assessment of project feasibility and chances to generate emission reductions.

Basis: Project Design Document (PDD)

Assessment of the following parameters: Voluntary participation / DNA / Kyoto-Protocol Ratification Project design Additionality Emission reduction: Baseline-Study (Choice and application, crediting

period, leakage und project boundaries, calculation) Monitoring EIA Stakeholder process

Role of DOE in Validation

Qualitative Assessment Qualitative Assessment

Source: M. Rumberg, Tuev-Sued

AE / DOE CDM Team (UNFCCC Secretariat) AR WG Desk review by 2 external experts 2 AR WG members compile reviews by experts and their own opinions into

recommendation

Different stages of checking methodologies

Helps projects save time if there are obvious deficiencies Definitions – baseline removal by sinks, net removals, leakage, positive and negative Eligibility of land Determination of baseline (one of the three approaches) Non CO2 correctly calculated Project boundary National policies Additionality checked, quantitative and qualitative Leakage properly treated/all sources covered Conservative approach/assessment of uncertainties Monitoring meth follows the baseline meth?

AR WG checklist for baseline methodologies (no detailed checking, just compliance with 19/CP.9)

Preliminary rejection (after screening by AR WG member) is meant to help project proponents to avoid time loss.

A: accepted, further modifications exclusively by AR WG B: project participants get 2 weeks to address open issues (can be preferable to A, as participants have control over

modifications) C: Resubmission necessary (can help the project in the long term to save time)

NMB can be approved even if NMM is rejected NMM cannot be approved without NMB

Rating per AR WG recommendation to EB

ARNMBs proposed so farNumber, rating

Name Baseline approach

Additionality tool

Carbon pools

ARNMB0002Withdrawn?

AES-Tiete Reservoirs: Reforestation of grasslands with native species

C: likely, project start

Modified the A.T. from energy projects

All

ARNMB0003C

TIST: Smallholder A/R projects in areas undergoing continued

A: existing or historical

No (additionality check missing)

AGB, BGB

ARNMB0004C

Treinta y Tres: Afforestation on extensively grazed grasslands with livestock intensification

C: likely, project start

Own tool (add. test mixed with baseline determination)

All

ARNMB006B

Bagapelli: Small scale AR on degraded lands,grasslands and fallow lands

C: likely, project start

No All except dead wood

ARNMB007B

Moldova Soil Conservation Project: Restoration of degraded lands through AR

A: existing or historical

Yes (adapted) All

ARNMB0008In review

Kikonda Forest Reserve Reforestation Project: AR of degraded bush and woodlands in forest reserve areas

A: existing or historical

Yes (adapted) All

ARNMB0009In review

Rio Aquidaban Reforestation Project: reforestation of degraded bush and grassland

A: existing or historical

Yes (adapted) All

ARNMB010B

Facilitating Reforestation for Guangxi Watershed Managmt., Pearl River Basin, China

A: existing or historic

Yes AGB, BGB

ARNMB0011In review

Chocó-Manabí Corridor Reforestation and Conservation Carbon Project: additional due to financial barriers

B: Econ. attractive

Yes (adapted) All

ARNMB0012In review

Afforestation or reforestation project activity implemented on unmanaged grassland

C: likely, project start

Yes, self developed

AGB, BGB

ARNMB0013In review

The Mountain Pine Ridge Reforestation Project: AR with baseline control areas

B: Econ. attractive

Yes (adapted) All

Land eligibility (not forest in 1990) Baseline scenario, and GHG emissions / removals Project scenario, and GHG emissions / removals Additionality of the project scenario over and above the baseline scenario Leakage Estimation of the net GHG benefits resulting from the project, taking into account the

previous items.

“Baseline methodologies” are not only about baselines

Incomplete Not following 19 CP9 requirements IPCC Guidance not used Language (drafting) problems Scope and applicability (too broad/narrow) Data, equations (errors, lack of quality, not possible to monitor) Assumptions and parameters are not adequately chosen QA/QC procedures and transparency

Reasons for rejection of NMBs to date

NMB was main stumbling block so far. (NMM had IPCC GPG to build on) Process for selecting the most plausible scenario is not satisfactory Baseline was assumed to contain no tree planting, but this was not substantiated (background rate of AR) Baseline was solely based on activities occurring outside the project area No additionality tool was used additionality was understood as difference between project and baseline. Should be: project would not have occurred in absence of CDM funding. Baseline included non-CO2 gases baseline: control plots monitored during project, but model for determining baseline management not described Conflict of interest when project participants manage control plots (for baseline estimation)

Reasons for rejection of NMBs to date (baseline methodology, I)

Land eligibility not assessed, or improperly assessed Carbon pools not estimated separately GHG emissions estimation from project not complete (e.g., N2O from fertilizers) No prediction of baseline and project C stock changes Self developed additionality tool not adequate Uncertainties not assessed AND no conservative assumptions (at least one of the two is necessary) Leakage from displacing agricultural activities not assessed Positive leakage: must not be included (not a sole reason for rejection)

Reasons for rejection of NMBs to date (baseline methodology, II)

Avoid any of the above, learn from these mistakes Conservativeness may be easier to achieve than a detailed uncertainty analysis Use standard additionality tool cdm.unfccc.int/Panels/ar/Inputs_Afforestation_Reforestation/AR_Additionality_Tool.pdf

New version coming soon!

Use standard “land eligibility tool” as soon as it is available Consider EB clarifications on national / sectoral policies cdm.unfccc.int/EB/Meetings/016/eb16repan3.pdf To meet Dec 2005 deadline, could use “top down” small-scale methodologies (draft available, even simpler version coming soon) Keep the NMs short and concise, avoid repetition Consider teaming up with other projects (internal review among projects)

Some recommendations

Pre-project land use Land eligibility test Which carbon pools Generic vs. project specific Baseline approach (a, b, c) Additionality tool (standard / project specific) National policies addressed? Control plots for baseline? (only approach b) Way how leakage is addressed Activity displacement

What makes a baseline methodology different from another one?

Degraded lands with no attractive baseline use Little vegetation, hardly any trees (not likely to become forest) Lands in slash and burn cycle (could become a forest) Examples: China, Moldova

Projects on grazing lands (special leakage assessment for activity displacement), trees suppressed Examples: Albania, Ethiopia

Agro-forestry projects that avoid leakage by activity displacement Projects which may appear attractive even w/o CDM funding (e.g., timber plantations; timber market leakage needs to be checked) “Tree based” (rather than “ha based”) projects

Examples: TIST, Kenya

Possible classification of methodologies

Screen the existing NMBs If one is acceptable that is already published: use it (may require certain shortcuts, e.g., omit soil carbon, can save

costs and reduce risk on methods development) If one seems applicable but is not yet accepted consider contacting the proponent and ask for permission to use it If one is similar: use key concepts and ideas

Add modules as appropriate (more carbon pools, activity displacement, “background reforestation rate” for baseline

If none is similar: screen other upcoming projects and consider collaboration

If none of the above: new methodology

Steps for NMBs in BioCarbon Fund Projects

Projects should work together in drafting methodologies

Helps avoid future bottlenecks in CDM AR WG

Avoids future need of consolidation of methods

Increases the quality of methodologies

BioCarbon Fund projects of similar nature

Other AR projects

Other burning issues Next NM submission deadline around 5 October

Current rules: projects not registered by end of 2005 loose all benefits of AR to date

Only possible cure: COP11 decision

Asymmetrical treatment of non-CO2 gases

A clarification may be forthcoming soon

EU ETS review, 15 Sept deadline: www2.perseus.com/mckinsey/prod/eu/eumain.htm