An initiative of the ACP Group of States funded by the European Union

Global Climate Change Alliance: Intra-ACP Programme

Training ModuleClimate Change Finance

Module 4 – Introduction to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

Ms Isabelle MamatySenior Expert

Climate Support Facility

Module Structure

CDM background and concept Additionality and baseline scenario

CDM project design document (PDD)

CDM challenges in developing countries

2

What is the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)?

Kyoto Protocol (1997): “The Common but Differentiated Responsibilities principle”

Entered into force February 2005. Binding GHG emission reduction targets for Annex I countries

(developed countries and economies in transition): o 5% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012 (First compliance period). o Reductions in emissions of 6 Greenhouse Gases, measured in CO2

equivalence.

Compliance by Annex I countries: Domestic emission reduction through policies and

measures. Flexibility mechanisms

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Kyoto Protocol (1)

Annex I (Developed Countries) agreed to reduce their GHGs by 5.2 % below 1990 levels in 1st commitment period 2008 – 2012

Kyoto Protocol is a legally binding agreement for emissions reductions by industrialised countries through three market-based mechanisms:

o Emissions trading “carbon market”o Clean development mechanism (CDM)o Joint implementation (JI)

184 Parties of the Convention have ratified its Protocol to date.

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KYOTO Protocol CDM mechanism

Annex 1 countries invest in GHG reduction projects in non-Annex 1 countries and receive Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) to fulfil their binding commitments.

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CDM objectives

Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol has two main objectives:

1. Assist host countries (non-Annex 1) achieve sustainable development.

2. Provide flexibility to Annex-1 investors in reducing their emissions.

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CDM Principles

Developed countries (Annex 1) with binding emission caps assist developing countries with no emission limits in developing activities/projects for GHG reduction.

The project/activity must contribute to sustainable development in the host country

GHG reductions musto create real, measurable and long- term benefits to climate change mitigation. o be additional to any reductions that would occur in the absence of the

proposed project/activity.

A scenario that represents what would have happened in the absence of the proposed project /activity should be developed (Baseline scenario)

The baseline is derived using a methodology approved by the CDM Executive Board

Funding of CDM projects should be distinct from ODA

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CDM rationale

Provides market-oriented means to promote sustainable development (SD) while reducing GHG emissions below what they would have otherwise been.

Promotes private sector investment in SD (distinct from ODA).

Provides a ”bottom–up’ approach regarding project development.

Involves public scrutiny.

8

CDM Participation Requirements

Voluntary participation from host countries

Participating non-Annex I (developing) countries must Ratify the Kyoto Protocol Designate a National Authority (DNA) responsible for approving

CDM projects

Participating Annex I (developed) countries must ratify the Kyoto Protocol Designate a National Authority (DNA) Establish national inventory & registry Demonstrate a strong reporting capacity

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DNA Functions

To issue Letter of Approval for a CDM project activity stating that the participation is voluntary

To confirm that the project activity contributes to the sustainable development objectives of the host country

To provide a point of contact concerning national CDM policies & procedures

To facilitate the development of a portfolio of CDM projects and promoting investment

To act as a “one stop shop” for CDM in the Host Country

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Institutional Framework of a CDM process

Project participant 1: Developing Country, Project developer

Project participant 2: Annex 1 Country: Investor, Buyer

National Approval: Designated National Authority (DNA)

Designated Operational Entity (DOE I): verifies that project meet all CDM requirements

Designated Operational Entity (DOE II): certifies emission reductions once the project is operational

CDM Executive Board (EB): issues CERs

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DOE Functions

A designated operational entity (DOE) is an entity designated by the COP/MOP, based on the recommendation by the Executive Board, as qualified to validate proposed CDM project activities as well as verify and certify reductions in anthropogenic emissions by sources of greenhouse gases (GHG).

A designated operational entity shall perform validation or verification and certification on the same CDM project activity. Upon request, the Executive Board may however allow a single DOE to perform all these functions within a single CDM project activity.

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How does CDM work ?

A total emission cap of an Annex I Party

Host Party (non-Annex I) with no an emission cap

Specific project in host country

Specific project in a host country

Non- Annex I Parties with benefit from projects activities resulting in CERs

Annex I Party

Baseline scenario Project scenario

Acquired CERs are added to emission cap

CERsCERs

CERs

CDM projects by scope

Domination of energy projects: Energy industries (renewable/ non renewable sources): 66%

Followed by: Waste handling and disposal: 14,70 Manufacturing industries: 4,75% Fugitive emissions from fuels (solid, oil and gas):

4,4%% Agriculture: 3,7% ….. Afforestation and reforestation: less than 1%

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CDM concept: Additionality (1)

As per CDM: A [small-scale] CDM project activity is additional if anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases by sources are reduced below those that would have occurred in the absence of the registered [small-scale] CDM project activity Additionality is the requirement that the greenhouse gas emissions after implementation of a CDM project activity are lower than those that would have occurred in the most plausible alternative scenario to the implementation of the CDM project activity.

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CDM project: Additionality (2)

This alternative scenario may be the business-as- usual case (that is, the continuation of current emission levels in the absence of the project activity), or it may be some other scenario which involves a gradual lowering of emissions intensity.

Additionality is a principle condition for the eligibility of any project under the CDM.

Additionality is a requirement for validation, and will be confirmed by the designated operational entity (DOE) as part of the validation report.

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CDM Concept: Baseline (1)

The baseline for a CDM project activity is the scenario that reasonably represents the anthropogenic emissions by sources of greenhouse gases that would occur in the absence of the proposed project activity Thus, a baseline for a CDM project activity is a hypothetical reference case, representing the volume of greenhouse gases that would have been emitted if the project were not implemented

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CDM Concept: Baseline (2)

The baseline can be used to determine: o whether a CDM project activity is additional; and o the volume of additional greenhouse gas emission reductions

achieved by a project activity.

Baselines must cover emissions from all gases, sectors and source categories listed in Annex A to the Kyoto Protocol that occur within the project boundary.

A baseline is deemed to be accurate if it is derived using an appropriate baseline methodology

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CDM concept: Baseline (3)

A baseline is deemed to reasonably represent the most likely alternative scenario to project implementation if it is developed using a baseline methodology that is: o already approved by the Executive Board; or o developed in accordance with the rules for

developing new methodologies and then approved by the Executive Board.

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CDM concept: Baseline (4)

How to Establish a Baseline Using approved methodologies (if not available, a new methodology has to be developed) In a transparent, conservative and justifiable manner On a project-specific basis Using simplified procedures for small-scale projectsTaking account of national and/or sectoral policies

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CDM Concepts: Emission reduction principle

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GHG Emissions

Time

Project Emissions

Baseline Emissions

Emissions reduction

The difference between the actual project emissions and the emission baseline constitute the volume of CERs

CDM concept: crediting period (1)

The crediting period for a CDM project activity is the period for which reductions from the baseline are verified and certified by a designated operational entity for the purpose of issuance of certified emission reductions (CERs).

Project participants shall choose the starting date of a crediting period to be after the date the first emission reductions are generated by the CDM project activity. A crediting period shall not extend beyond the operational lifetime of the project activity.

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CDM concept: crediting period (2)

There are two options for the length of a crediting period: fixed crediting period or renewable crediting periodo Fixed crediting period:

o the length and starting date of the period is determined once for a project activity with no possibility of renewal or extension once the project activity has been registered.

o The length of the period can be a maximum of ten years for a proposed CDM project activity

o Renewable crediting period:o A single crediting period may be of a maximum of seven years. o The crediting period may be renewed at most two times (maximum 21

years), through validation and endorsement process by respectively a designated operational entity and the Executive Board

o The starting date and length of the first crediting period has to be determined before registration.

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Estimated Timeline of a CDM project

6 to 12 months 4 months Crediting period of the project

4 months

Pro

ject

de

velo

per

DN

AD

OE

CD

M

Exe

cutiv

e B

oard

Step 1- Project feasibility assessment /PIN

Step 2-CDM project development /PDD

Step 3-Host approval /letter of approval

Step 4- Project validation

Step 5- Project registration

Step 8-CER issuance

Step 7-Project verification/certification/ report

Step 6-Implementation and Monitoring /monitoring report

CDM PDD preparation

Key document involved in the validation and registration of a CDM project activity: information on the essential technical and organisational aspects of the project activity

One of the three documents required for a CDM project to be registered, along with the validation report and the letter of approval

Specific PDDs exist for different project types: o Large-scale project activities (CDM-PDD) o Small-scale project activities (CDM-SSC-PDD) o Afforestation and reforestation project activities (CDM- AR-PDD) o Small-scale afforestation and reforestation project activities (CDM-SSC-

AR-PDD) o Programmes of Activities (CDM-POA-DD) and CDM Programme Activities

(CDM-CPA-DD) 25

CDM PDD preparation: Programmes of Activities (PoA)

A voluntary coordinated action by a private or public entity which coordinates and implements any policy/measure or stated goal (i.e. incentive schemes and voluntary programmes), which leads to anthropogenic GHG emission reductions or net anthropogenic greenhouse gas removals by sinks that are additional to any that would occur in the absence of the PoA, via an unlimited number of CDM programme activities (CPAs).

CDM Project Activity (CPA) is defined as Project Activity that actually generates CER Individually unique and identifiable with a clear, defined boundary

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CDM PDD preparation: Programmes of Activities (PoA)

POA

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CPACPA CPACPA

CPACPA

CPACPA

Programme Level Programmatic CDM (PoA)One Coordinating/managing Entity (CME) - who coordinates/manages the PoAPoA provides a Framework to implement CPAs

Activity Level (PoA) Individual CDM Programme Activity (CPA)Implementing Partners carry on individual CPAsAchieves GHG reductions or removals by sinks using methodologies

CDM PDD preparation: Bundling of small projects

Bundling of small projects is “bringing together of several small-scale CDM project activities, to form a single CDM project activity or portfolio without the loss of distinctive characteristics of each project activity »(Executive Board Report Annex 21, Annex 21, paragraph 3)

Bundled projects can obtain a single validation report and a single certification report for the entire bundle, which streamlines these processes for project participants

A form with information related to the bundle (F-CDM-BUNDLE) should be completed in addition to the PDD document(s)

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CDM PDD preparation: types of CDM projects

Single Project Bundle of projects Program

Single location Many locations Many locations across countries

Single project owner (e.g., 1 hrydo plant)

Many project owners (e.g., 10 hydro plant)

Many project owners

1 project only A number of activities submitted as 1 project (e.g., 10 hydro plants)

A number of activities submitted over the duration of a program

A single crediting period (e.g., 7/10 years)

Single crediting period for all activities (7/10 y)

Each project has its own crediting period

Project owner is known All project owners are known

At least one project owner is known, rest included as they join

CDM PDD preparation: PDD sample

The CDM PDD is divided into 5 sections: Section A - General description of the project activity; Section B - Application of a baseline and monitoring methodology Section C - Duration of the project / crediting period Section D - Environmental impacts Section E - Stakeholder comments

Attachments to the CDM PDD: Annex I - Contact information on participants in the project activity Annex 2 - Information on public funding Annex 3 - Baseline information Annex 4 - Monitoring information

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CDM-PDD preparation: Baseline Approved methodology

Definition: Methodologies are standardised procedures how to measure and calculate emission reductions in a CDM project. Each CDM methodology consists of two parts:

A baseline methodology, which is the emissions that would have been created in the most plausible alternative scenario to the implementation of the project activity (called the baseline scenario)

A monitoring methodology, which refers to the method used by project participants for the collection and archiving of all relevant data necessary for the implementation of the monitoring plan

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CDM PDD preparation: What is a baseline approved methodology?

Extensive elaborations on: Formulas Definition of project boundaries Monitoring requirements Leakage

Compulsory to use Project type specific Approval by the Executive Board needed Different sets for large scale and small scale

projects 32

PDD preparation: CDM project types

Micro Scale Projects defined as the project activity is an off grid activity supplying energy to households/communities (less than 12 hrs grid availability per 24 hrs day is also considered as off grid for this assessment); and is located in a SIDS or an LDC and is either of the following types: o Type 1:Renewable Energy Project with 5 Megawatts electricity (or 15 MW

thermal). o Type 2: Energy efficiency projects with 20 GWh savings per year. o Type 3: Any other project with 20 Kilo tonnes of CO2 reduction per year

A Small-Scale CDM project is defined as: o Type 1: Renewable energy systems with15MW (electrical) capacity o Type 2: Energy Efficiency projects with a saving of 60 GWh per year

o Type 3 : Any other project reducing 60 Kilo tonnes CO2 per year

Any CDM project activity not possessing the abovementioned characteristics is considered a large-scale CDM project activity.

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Where does a baseline approved methodology comes from ?

There are more than 100 methodologies

Large scale CDM methodologies are proposed by a CDM project developer using an approved new methodology template and approved by the CDM EB

Small scale methodologies are mainly directly drafted by the small‐scale working group and approved by the CDM EB

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Availability of baseline approved Methodology

Ideally there would be an existing methodology approved by Executive Board (EB) applicable directly to the proposed project

CDM EB has provision for suggesting a new methodology or modification in an existing methodology

As far as possible, use existing methodology to avoid complexity and time overrun

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PDD preparation – Monitoring plan

Monitoring plan should include, the following information related to the project boundary during the crediting period

collection and archiving of all relevant data necessary for estimating or measuring anthropogenic emissions by sources of GES

The collection and archiving of all relevant data necessary for determining the baseline of anthropogenic emissions by sources of GES;

The identification of all potential sources of, and the collection and archiving of data on, increased anthropogenic emissions by sources of GES outside the project boundary that are significant and reasonably attributable to the project activity;

Quality assurance and control procedures for the monitoring process; Procedures for the periodic calculation of the reductions of anthropogenic emissions by

sources by the proposed CDM project activity, and for leakage effects; Documentation of all steps involved in the calculations

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CDM Project Cycle – Indicative Timelines and Costs

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Periodic verification & certification Verification: 15$-30K

Construction and startInitial verification at start-up : $25K

Validation process Contract, processing and documentation: $30K

Baseline: $20KMonitoring Plan: $20K

Project completion Preparation and review of the Project: carbon risk assessment and documentation: $40 K

3 months

Up to

21

year

s

2 months

2 m

onth

s3 months

1-3 years

Project Appraisal and Negotiation

CDM Processes

Full transaction cost for 1 time 10 years CER period: 165,000 USD3 times 7 years CER period: 195,000 USD

Source: World Bank

CDM project vs. Conventional project

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CDM: Challenges in developing countries

Lack of CDM projects in developing countries. Dispersed nature of population: Small projects. Low potential for GHG reduction hence low

CER generation. Investors not keen. High transaction costs. Lack of awareness, capacity (institutional,

technical, regulatory). DNAs not set-up in most developing countries.

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CDM: Sources of funding to support CDM process

Turning words into action Turning words into action

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Discussion

Questions and answers Discussion and sharing of experiences

concerning the development of CDM project

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Have you ever developed a CDM project in your sector or at your level ? what are

the institutional and capacity needs in your organisation to do so?

Where to get the information?

Getting information : visit of the CDM website: http://cdm.unfccc.int/about/index.html

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Case studies

Presentation of different steps of a CDM PDD document preparation based on a concrete case study of project with emphasis on : Additionality – baseline concept

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• Thank you

• Contact: Dr. Pendo MARO, ACP Secretariat pendomaro@acp.int or +32 495 281 494

www.gcca.eu/intra-acp