Understanding CDM Methodologies - SuSanA
Understanding CDM Methodologies - SuSanA
Understanding CDM Methodologies - SuSanA
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Baseline<br />
Approaches<br />
The Marrakech Accords define the basic idea of baseline determination,<br />
while they do not provide an operationalization of the additionality<br />
concept 30 . The concept of “baseline” is defined as “scenario that reasonably<br />
represents the anthropogenic emissions by sources of greenhouse gases that<br />
would occur in the absence of the proposed project activity” 31 . Baselines<br />
have to be project-specific 32 and defined in a way that CERs cannot be<br />
earned for decreases in activity levels outside the project activity or due to<br />
force majeure 33 . Relevant national policies and circumstances 34 and current<br />
practices in the host country or region 35 as well as least cost technology for<br />
the project type 36 are to be taken into account.<br />
Three principal approaches are available for defining a baseline methodology:<br />
• Existing actual or historical emissions, as applicable 37<br />
• Emissions from a technology that represents an economically attractive<br />
course of action, taking into account barriers to investment 38<br />
• The average emissions of similar project activities undertaken in the<br />
previous five years, in similar social, economic, environmental and<br />
technological circumstances, and whose performance is among the top 20<br />
per cent of their category 39<br />
Section 4.1.1 describes how these approaches have been incorporated into<br />
baseline methodologies.<br />
Project Boundary<br />
Leakage<br />
Principles<br />
for Baseline<br />
Determination<br />
and Monitoring:<br />
The concept of project boundary encompasses “all anthropogenic<br />
emissions by sources of greenhouse gases under the control of the project<br />
participants that are significant and reasonably attributable to the <strong>CDM</strong><br />
project” 40 . On this basis, leakage is defined as “net change of anthropogenic<br />
emissions by sources of greenhouse gases which occurs outside the project<br />
boundary, and which is measurable and attributable to the <strong>CDM</strong> project” 41 .<br />
Leakage shall be deducted from the emission reductions calculated against<br />
the baseline 42 .<br />
30<br />
Decision 3/CMP.1, para 43 just repeats the additionality principle of Article 12, 5 (c) of the Kyoto Protocol.<br />
31<br />
Decision 3/CMP.1, para 44. This is derived from the principle of “real…measurable…long-term” reductions in<br />
Article 12, 5 (b) of the Kyoto Protocol.<br />
32<br />
Decision 3/CMP.1, para 45 (c)<br />
33<br />
Decision 3/CMP.1, para 47<br />
34<br />
Decision 3/CMP.1, para 45 (e)<br />
35<br />
Appendix C to decision 3/CMP.1 “Terms of reference for establishing guidelines on baselines and monitoring<br />
methodologies”, para (c) (i)<br />
36<br />
Ibid., para (c) (ii)<br />
37<br />
Decision 3/CMP.1, para 48 (a)<br />
38<br />
Decision 3/CMP.1, para 48 (b)<br />
39<br />
Decision 3/CMP.1, para 48 (c)<br />
40<br />
Decision 3/CMP.1, para 52<br />
41<br />
Decision 3/CMP.1, para 51<br />
42<br />
Decision 3/CMP.1, para 50<br />
12