Role of the DOE

To carry out the validation of small-scale afforestation or reforestation (SSC A/R) projects, a DOE must verify that the project meets certain basic eligibility requirements, consult with stakeholders, and finally provide a request for registration to the Executive Board in the form of a validation report that attaches the project design document (PDD). 

In contrast to large-scale A/R projects, the DOE must provide a written declaration that the proposed small-scale A/R project is being developed or implemented by low-income communities and individuals as determined by the host Party, in line with the definition of small-scale A/R projects in 5/CMP.1, Annex, paragraph 1(i)).

6/CMP.1, Annex, paragraph 15 sets out the role of the DOE for SSC A/R projects in detail:

The DOE shall:

a.      Prior to the submission of the validation report to the Executive Board, have received from the project participants written approval of voluntary participation from the designated national authority of each Party involved, including confirmation by the host Party that the proposed small-scale afforestation or reforestation project activity under the CDM assists it in achieving sustainable development;

b.      Prior to the submission of the validation report to the Executive Board, have received from the project participants a written declaration that the proposed small-scale afforestation or reforestation project activity under the CDM is developed or implemented by low-income communities and individuals as determined by the host Party;

c.      In accordance with the provisions on confidentiality contained in paragraph 27 (h) of the annex to decision 17/CP.7, make the project design document publicly available;

d.      Receive, within 30 days, comments on the validation requirements from Parties, stakeholders and UNFCCC-accredited non-governmental organizations, and make them publicly available;

e.      After the deadline for receipt of comments, make a determination as to whether, on the basis of the information provided and taking into account the comments received, the proposed small-scale afforestation or reforestation project activity under the CDM should be validated;

f.       Inform project participants of its determination on the validation of the small-scale afforestation or reforestation project activity under the CDM. The notification to the project participants will include a confirmation of validation and the date of submission of the validation report to the Executive Board, or an explanation of reasons for non-acceptance if the proposed small-scale afforestation or reforestation project activity under the CDM, as documented, is judged not to fulfil the requirements for validation;

g.      Submit to the Executive Board, if it determines the proposed small-scale afforestation or reforestation project activity under the CDM to be valid, a request for registration in the form of a validation report including the project design document, the written approval of voluntary participation from the designated national authority of each Party involved, as referred to in paragraph 15 (a) above, and an explanation of how it has taken due account of comments received;

h.      Make this validation report publicly available upon transmission to the Executive Board (6/CMP.1, Annex, paragraph 15).

In addition to validation and verification DOEs must, as set out in EB 44, Annex 3:

i.       Undertake voluntary pre-assessment of new baseline and monitoring methodologies in accordance with paragraph 14 of the report of the twenty-first meeting of the CDM Executive Board;

j.       Identify and submit requests for deviation in accordance with paragraph 66 of the report of the twenty-first meeting of the CDM Executive Board.

DOEs must follow the requirements outlined in the Validation and Verification Manual (VVM) in EB 44, Annex 3 to ensure quality and consistency in verification and validation reports.