Understanding CDM Methodologies - SuSanA

4.1.4 Leakage
Unclear Definition
of Leakage
As with the concept of project boundary, a detailed explanation of how
to approach leakage has not been provided by the EB. After identification
of leakage sources one has to explain which sources are to be calculated,
and which can be neglected 178 . This has led to inconsistencies across
methodologies, with some methodologies requiring a full life-cycle analysis,
whereas in other methodologies it was seen as sufficient if emissions of one
process level upwards and downwards were taken into account.
4.1.5 Monitoring, data sources and quality
Requirements
regarding Data
Sources
Data Vintages
Accuracy of
Measurements
Standard
Variables
Baseline and
Monitoring
Methodology
belong together
Data are key to monitor emissions reductions and to apply a baseline
methodology. They should be referenced with possible sources being official
statistics, expert judgement, proprietary data, IPCC, commercial and scientific
literature 179 . Data have to be SI units 180 . Vintages and spatial level have to
be defined 181 . Regarding data vintages, it was discussed whether baseline
parameters can be fixed ex-ante or have to be monitored ex post. “Ex post
calculation of baseline emission rates may only be used if proper justification
is provided. Notwithstanding, the baseline emission rates shall also be
calculated ex-ante and reported in the draft CDM-PDD” 182 .
Data have to be conservative, adequate, consistent, accurate and reliable. For
some methodologies, accuracy played an important role, for example in the
context of measurement of methane content of flare exhaust gas. Generally,
monitoring of methane emissions has been more demanding than of other
greenhouse gases.
Frequency of data collection and quality assurance/control procedures
have to be specified. In this context, the specifications of the monitoring
plan are important which should “reflect good monitoring practice
appropriate to the type of project”. A list of 56 standard variables has been
specified 183 . Alternatively ISO or other standards can be used for variable
name definitions. Methodologies should specify a priority order for use of
alternative data if the preferred sources are not available 184 .
A strong link between baseline and monitoring methodologies is to be
provided 185 . If project participants want use different combinations of
approved baseline and monitoring methodologies they have to get Meth
Panel and EB approval. No one has ever asked for such approval as over
time it has become clear that monitoring is intrinsically linked to the baseline
methodology. The submission forms have been revised accordingly (see
section 4.2)
178
EB 20, Annex 2
179
EB 8, Annex 1
180
EB 9, Annex 3
181
EB 8, Annex 1
182
EB 10, Annex 1
183
EB 24, Annex 16
184
EB 9, Annex 3
185
EB 10, Annex 1
35