A/R Programme of Activities Design Document (CDM-PoA-DD-AR)

The project design document for a Programme of Activities (PoA) which involves large scale afforestation or reforestation projects (A/R) (CDM-PoA-DD-AR) is divided into 6 sections:

General description of the A/R Programme of Activities (A/R-PoA);
Duration of the A/R-PoA;
Selection and application of a baseline and monitoring methodology to a typical A/R CDM programme activity (CPA);
Environmental analysis;
Socio-economic impacts of PoA; and
Stakeholders' comments.

This form is for the submission of a CDM PoA whose CPAs apply a large scale A/R approved methodology.

At the time of requesting registration of the A/R PoA, this form must be accompanied by:

a CDM-CPA-DD form for A/R (CDM-CPA-DD-AR) that has been specified for the proposed A/R-PoA; and
one completed CDM-CPA-DD-AR using a real case.

The Executive Board has not yet adopted any guidelines for completing the CDM-PoA-DD-AR.

Section A – General description of programme of activities (PoA)

The concept of a Programme of Activities (PoA) (often called Programmatic CDM) is described in EB 32, Annex 38, paragraph 1 as follows:

A programme of activities (PoA) is 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 CPAs (EB 32, Annex 38, paragraph 1).

A PoA is made up of CDM Programme Activities (CPAs). Multiple CPAs can be included under a PoA at the time of registration and additional CPAs can be added at any point in the life of the PoA. A CPA is defined as:

a project activity under a programme of activities. A CPA is a single, or a set of interrelated measure(s), to reduce GHG emissions or result in net anthropogenic greenhouse gas removals by sinks, applied within a designated area defined in the baseline methodology (EB 32, Annex 38, page 1).

All CPAs of a PoA must apply the same approved baseline and monitoring methodology, involving one type of technology or set of interrelated measures in the same type of facility / installation / land.

More information on PoAs and CPAs is contained in the "What is a Programme of Activities" section.

A.1 Title of the A/R programme of activities

Project participants must record the title of the A/R-PoA.

A.2 Coordinating / managing entity and participants of PoA

This section must contain information identifying the:

coordinating or managing entity of the A/R-PoA, being a project participant authorised by all participating host country DNAs which communicates with the Executive Board, including on matters relating to the distribution of CERs (EB 32, Annex 38).
project participants being registered in relation to the A/R-PoA. Project participants may or may not be involved in one of the A/R-CPAs related to the A/R-PoA.

A.3 Description of the A/R programme of activities

The description of the A/R-PoA must include:

Information regarding the general operating and implementing framework of the A/R-PoA; and
Information regarding the policy / measure or stated goal of the A/R-PoA.

A.4 Confirmation that PoA is a voluntary action by the coordinating / managing entity

This section must confirm that the A/R-PoA is a voluntary action by the coordinating / managing entity.

A.5 Description of the location of the A/R programme of activities

This section must:

Describe the host Party(ies) participating in the A/R-PoA; and
Define the geographical location and boundary of the A/R-PoA by describing the geographical area (e.g. municipality, region within a country or country(ies)) within which all A/R-CPAs included in the A/R-PoA will be implemented. Definition of this boundary must take into consideration all applicable national and/or sectoral policies and regulations of each host country.

The boundary for a PoA is defined in the CDM Glossary of Terms, Version 03 as follows:

Definition of the boundary for the PoA is the geographical area (e.g. municipality, region within a country, country or several countries) within which all CDM programme activities (CPAs) included in the PoA will be implemented, taking into consideration the requirement that all applicable national and/or sectoral policies and regulations of each host country within that chosen boundary.

The physical boundary of a PoA may extend to more than one country provided that each participating non-annex I host Party provides confirmation that the PoA, and thereby all CPAs, assists it in achieving sustainable development.

A.6 Technical description of the A/R programme of activities

A.6.1 Description of how the net anthropogenic GHG removals by sinks are increased above those that would have occurred in the absence of the registered PoA (assessment and demonstration of additionality)

In order to prove the additionality of each A/R-CPA (and therefore of the A/R-PoA as a whole), the following must be demonstrated in this section:

If the A/R-PoA is implementing a voluntary, coordinated action, that that action would not be implemented in the absence of the A/R-PoA;
If the A/R-PoA is implementing a mandatory policy or regulation, that this policy or regulation would not be or is not enforced;
If the mandatory policy or regulation involved has in the past been enforced, that the A/R-PoA will lead to a greater level of enforcement.

More information on the demonstration of additionality is contained in the additionality section.

A.6.2 Description of a typical A/R CDM programme activity (CPA)

This section must describe a typical A/R-CPA, including a description of:

the approved baseline and monitoring methodology of, and (as appropriate) the technology or measures to be employed by, the A/R-CPA;
the instructions or criteria for dealing with the species and varities selected;
the presence, if any, of rare or endangered species and their habitats;
measures to minimise leakage;
legal title to the land; and
current land tenure and rights to tCERs/lCERs for a typical A/R-CPA.

A.6.2.1 Technology or measures to be employed by the proposed CPA

Here, the project participants must outline the technology or measures to be employed by the proposed A/R-CPA.

A.6.2.2 Transfer of technology/know-how, if applicable

CDM project activities should lead to the transfer of environmentally safe and sound technologies:

The Conference of the Parties, ...

Further emphasizing that clean development mechanism project activities should lead to the transfer of environmentally safe and sound technology and know-how in addition to that required under Article 4, paragraph 5 of the Convention and Article 10 of the Kyoto Protocol (17/CP.7, preamble).

Project participants must confirm in the CDM-PoA-DD-AR that the project achieves this technology transfer.

A.6.3 Eligibility criteria for inclusion of a CPA in the PoA

This section must include a description of:

the eligibility criteria for including an A/R project activity as an A/R-CPA under the A/R-PoA; and
the type and/or extent of information (e.g. criteria, indicators, variables, parameters or measurements) that shall be provided by each A/R-CPA in order to ensure its eligibility, including eligibility of land.

A.6.3.1 Eligibility criteria for assessing the baseline scenario for a CPA

Here the coordinating or managing entity of the A/R-PoA must provide the criteria for ensuring that the baseline selected in the CDM-PoA-DD-AR is the most plausible baseline scenario for the actual A/R-CPA to be included in the A/R-PoA. The criteria shall be based on the baseline assessment undertaken in section C.3 below.

A.6.3.2 Eligibility criteria and parameters for assessing additionality of a CPA

Here the coordinating or managing entity of the A/R-PoA must provide the criteria for assessing additionality of an A/R-CPA when proposed to be included in the registered A/R-PoA. The criteria shall be based on the additionality assessment undertaken in section C.4 below.

Note: Information provided here shall be incorporated into the CDM-CPA-DD-AR that has been specified for this A/R-PoA and shall be included in the documentation submitted by project participants at registration of the A/R-PoA.

A.6.3.3 Eligibility criteria for methodological choice

If applicable, the coordinating or managing entity shall provide the criteria for ensuring that the methodological choices made in section C.5 below (for example on selection of carbon pools, sources of leakage and project emissions) are justified for the actual A/R-CPA to be included in the A/R-PoA.

A.6.4 Approach for addressing non-permanence

Non-permanence involves the risk that emission removals by sinks are reversed, because forests are cut down or destroyed by natural disaster. Therefore, the CDM rules require project participants to adopt an approach to address the risk of non-permanence.

Participants must identify whether they have selected the lCER or tCER approach to dealing with non-permanence by selecting one of the following:

Temporary CER (tCER)
Long term CER (lCER)

The modalities and procedures for A/R projects establish these two approaches as methods to deal with the potential non-permanence of emission removals by sinks.

The issuance of temporary certified emission reductions (tCERs) deals with non-permanence by providing for the expiry of the credits (and their compulsory replacement) at the end of the commitment period in which they were issued. The issuance of long-term certified emission reductions (lCERs) deals with non-permanence by providing for the expiry of the credits at the end of the crediting period in which they were issued.

Both approaches insure against non-permanence by making sure that credits issued to these projects are replaced by other credits after a period of time.

Once selected, the approach to non-permanence selected by the project participants remains fixed for the entire crediting period, including any renewals of the crediting period.

A.6.5 Operational, management and monitoring plan for the programme of activities

A.6.5.1 Operational and management plan

The coordinating / managing entity is required to establish operational and management arrangements for the implementation of the A/R-PoA. In this section the project participants must describe the proposed operational and management plan in detail including the proposed:

record keeping system for each A/R-CPA under the A/R-PoA;
system or procedure to avoid double accounting (e.g. to avoid the situation where a new A/R-CPA is added to the A/R-PoA which has already been registered either as an individual A/R CDM project activity or a A/R-CPA of a different PoA) (EB 32, Annex 38); and
provisions to ensure that those operating the A/R-CPA are aware and have agreed that their activity is being subscribed to the A/R-PoA.

A.6.5.2 Monitoring plan

The coordinating / managing entity must choose a method or approach to be used by Designated Operational Entities (DOEs) to verify the emission reductions achieved by A/R-CPAs under the A/R-PoA. That method or approach may involve random sampling to avoid the need to verify each A/R-CPA.

The emission reductions or net anthropogenic removals by sinks of each CPA shall be monitored as per the registered monitoring plan according to the methodology applied to the registered PoA. The method or approach used to verify emission reductions or removals by sinks (that may include random sampling) shall ensure the accuracy of these emission reductions (EB 32, Annex 38).

If the verification method selected involves random sampling, this section must describe the proposed statistically sound sampling method or procedure that has been selected.

If the verification method selected does not involve random sampling, but instead verifies each A/R-CPA (whether in groups or not and whether or not different or identical verification periods are involved), this section must define and describe:

the transparent verification system that has been selected;
how that system ensures that no double accounting occurs; and
how that system ensures that the status of verification can be confirmed at any time for each A/R-CPA.

A.7 Public funding of the programme of activities

If public funding is used for an A/R-PoA, a confirmation that official development assistance is not being diverted to the implementation of the A/R-PoA must be included in this section of the CDM-PoA-DD-AR.

The Conference of the Parties (COP) has emphasised that projects funded by official development assistance are not eligible to be registered under the CDM:

Emphasizing that public funding for clean development mechanism projects from Parties in Annex I is not to result in the diversion of official development assistance and is to be separate from and not counted towards the financial obligations of Parties included in Annex I (17/CP.7, preamble).

Section B – Duration of the programme of activities

B.1 Starting date of the programme of activities (dd/mm/yy)

Project participants must set out the starting date for the A/R-PoA here.

Starting date for an A/R-CPA is defined as follows:

The starting date of a CDM programme activity [CPA] is the earliest date at which either the implementation or construction or real action of a programme activity [CPA] begins. The starting date of the CPA cannot be before the date of registration of the PoA.

B.2 Duration of the programme of activities (months and years)

EB 32, Annex 38 provides:

The duration of a PoA, not exceeding 28 years and 60 years for A/R project activities, shall be defined by the entity at the time of request for registration of the PoA.

Section C – Selection and application of a baseline and monitoring methodology

This section must demonstrate the application of the baseline and monitoring methodology for a typical A/R-CPA. The information provided below defines the A/R-PoA specific elements that are to be included in preparing the CDM-CPA-DD-AR form to add an A/R CPA to this A/R-PoA.

C.1 Title and reference of the approved baseline and monitoring methodology applied to each CPA included in the PoA

Project participants must state the approved methodology applying to the project. If project participants wish to propose a new methodology, this should be proposed using the Proposed new baseline and monitoring methodologies for A/R form (CDM-AR-NM).

C.2 Justification of the choice of the methodology why it is applicable to each CPA

In this section project participants must provide information to justify that the approach in the selected methodology is applicable to the potential areas to be included as CPAs within the PoA taking into consideration the characteristics of the typical CPA within the PoA such as geographic, climatic soil, and other parameters as appropriate.

C.3 Description of how the baseline scenario is identified and description of the identified baseline scenario for a typical CPA

The baseline scenario must be identified and described here.

The baseline scenario for an A/R-CPA is defined as follows:

The baseline scenario for an A/R CDM project activity is the scenario that reasonably represents the sum of the changes in carbon stocks in the carbon pools within the project boundary that would occur in the absence of the A/R CDM project activity. A baseline scenario shall be derived using a baseline methodology referred to in paragraphs 12 and 13 of the CDM A/R modalities and procedures.

A baseline shall cover all carbon pools within the project boundary but project participants may choose not to account for one or more carbon pools if they provide transparent and verifiable information indicating that the choice will not increase the expected net anthropogenic GHG removals by sinks.

Different baseline scenarios may be elaborated as potential projections of the situation existing before the proposed A/R CDM project activity. The continuation of an existing activity could be one of them; the implementation of the proposed A/R CDM project activity may be another; and many others could be envisaged. Baseline methodologies shall require a narrative description of all reasonable baseline scenarios.

To elaborate the different scenarios, different elements shall be taken into consideration, including related guidance issued by the Executive Board. For instance, the project participants shall take into account national / sectoral policies and circumstances, ongoing technological improvements, past land uses and land-use changes, investment barriers, etc. (see paragraph b (vii) of Appendix C to decision 3/CMP.1 and paragraphs 20 (e) and 22 of decision 5/CMP.1).

(To be applied mutatis mutandis to A/R-CPA included in A/R-PoA - Baseline scenario)

C.4 Description of how the net anthropogenic GHG removals by sinks are increased above those that would have occurred in the absence of the CPA being included as registered PoA (assessment and demonstration of additionality of CPA)

The project participants must, in this section, demonstrate the additionality of the project.

C.5 Explanation of methodological choices provided in the approved baseline and monitoring methodology applied to a typical CPA

Project participants must explain here how the procedures in the methodology to calculate project emissions, baseline emissions, leakage emissions and emission reductions are applied a typical A/R-CPA.

C.5.1 Selection of carbon pools, sources of leakage and emission sources for a typical CPA

Project participants must here outline the:

carbon pools;
sources of leakage; and
emissions sources

for a typical CPA.

Carbon pools are defined in the CDM Glossary of Terms, version 3, as follows:

Carbon pools are: above-ground biomass, belowground biomass, litter, dead wood and soil organic carbon. Project participants may choose not to account for one or more carbon pools if they provide transparent and verifiable information that indicates that the choice will not increase the expected net anthropogenic GHG removals by sinks.

Leakage for A/R project activities is defined in the CDM Glossary of Terms, version 3, as follows:

Leakage is the increase in GHG emissions by sources which occurs outside the boundary of an A/R CDM project activity which is measurable and attributable to the A/R CDM project activity.

C.5.2 Equations and parameters to be used for calculation of ex ante baseline net GHG removals by sinks of CPA

In this section project participants are required to set out the equations and parameters to be used for the calculation of ex ante baseline net GHG removals by sinks of the A/R-CPA.

“Baseline net GHG removals by sinks” is defined as:

the sum of the changes in carbon stocks in the carbon pools within the project boundary that would have occurred in the absence of the A/R CDM project activity (CDM Glossary of Terms, v. 3).

The following table should be used for each data variable:

ID number	Data variable	Data unit	Value applied	Data Source	Comment

C.5.3 Equations and parameters to be used for calculation of the ex ante actual net GHG removals by sinks of CPA

In this section project participants must set out the equations and parameters to be used for the calculation of the ex ante actual net GHG removals by sinks of an A/R-CPA.

C.5.4 Equations and parameters to be used for calculation of the ex ante leakage of CPA

In this section project participants must set out the equations and parameters to be used for the calculation of the ex ante leakage of an A/R-CPA.

C.5.5 Application of the monitoring methodology and description of the monitoring plan for a CPA

C.5.5.1 Monitoring of forest establishment and management in CPA, if required by the selected approved methodology

The CDM-PoA-DD-AR requires project participants to monitor forest establishment and management data.

Data should be presented in the following table:

ID number	Data variable	Data unit	Measured(m), calculated(c) estimated(e) or default (d)	Recording frequency	Number of data points/ Other measure of number of collected data.	Comment

C.5.5.2 Monitoring of the baseline net GHG removals by sinks, if required by the selected approved methodology

If monitoring of the baseline net GHG removals by sinks is required by the selected approved methodology, project participants must describe the sampling procedure and list data to be collected for this purpose.

C.5.5.3 Monitoring of the actual net GHG removals by sinks

C.5.5.3.1 Data to be collected in order to monitor the verifiable changes in carbon stock in the carbon pools within the project boundary in CPA

Data to monitor actual net GHG removals by sinks within the project boundary in the A/R-CPA should be presented in the following table:

ID number	Data variable	Data unit	Measured (m), calculated(c) estimated(e) or default (d)	Recording frequency	Number of sample plots at which the data will be monitored	Comment

C.5.5.3.2 Data to be collected in order to monitor the GHG emissions by the sources, measured in units of CO2 equivalent, that are increased as a result of the implementation of the proposed CPA

Data to monitor emissions by sources within the project boundary, which are increased as a result of the implementation of the proposed A/R-CPA, should be presented in the following table:

ID number	Data variable	Data unit	Measured (m), calculated(c) estimated(e) or default (d	Recording frequency	Number of sample plots at which the data will be monitored	Comment

C.5.5.4 Leakage: If applicable, please describe the data and information that will be collected in order to monitor leakage of the proposed CPA

Leakage for A/R project activities is defined in the CDM Glossary of Terms, version 3, as follows:

Leakage is the increase in GHG emissions by sources which occurs outside the boundary of an A/R CDM project activity which is measurable and attributable to the A/R CDM project activity.

If leakage is required to be monitored, the data to be collected to monitor leakage should be presented in the following format:

ID number	Data variable	Data unit	Measured (m), calculated(c) estimated(e) or default (d	Recording frequency	Number of data points	Comment

C.5.5.5 Description of the monitoring plan for a CPA

In this section project participants must provide information regarding the typical monitoring plan for an A/R-CPA, including information regarding the quality control / quality assurance procedures and the operational and management structure(s) that the A/R-CPA implementer will apply in order to monitor actual GHG removals by sinks and any leakage generated by the proposed A/R-CPA.

C.6 Date of completion and name of person(s)/entity(ies) applying the baseline and monitoring methodology to the typical CPA

This section must outline the date of completion of the application of the baseline study and monitoring methodology and the name of the responsible person(s) or entity(ies).

Section D – Environmental analysis of programme of activities

D.1 Indicate the level at which environmental analysis as per requirements of the CDM modalities and procedures is undertaken

In this section, the project participants must indicate whether environmental analysis is to be undertaken:

at the PoA level; or
at the CPA level,

and must briefly justify why that level of analysis was chosen.

D.2 If option 1 is selected in D.1 above, provide analysis of the environmental impacts, including transboundary impacts (if any)

If the project participants elect to undertake environmental analysis at the A/R-PoA level, they must provide in this section an analysis of the environmental impacts of a typical A/R-CPA expected in the A/R-PoA, including impacts on biodiversity and natural ecosystems.

If environmental analysis of a typical A/R-CPA within the A/R-PoA indicates negative impacts that are considered significant, or if required by the host Party laws/regulations, project participants of each A/R-CPA shall undertake an environmental impact assessment in accordance with the procedures required by the host Party.

Section E – Socio-economic impacts of programme of activities

E.1 Indicate the level at which socio economic impact analysis as per requirements of the CDM modalities and procedures is undertaken

In this section, the project participants must indicate whether socio-economic analysis is to be undertaken:

at the PoA level; or
at the CPA level,

and must briefly justify why that level of analysis was chosen.

E.2 If option 1 is selected in E.1 above, provide analysis of the socio-economic impacts, including transboundary impacts

If the project participants elect to undertake socio-economic analysis at the A/R-PoA level, they must provide in this section an analysis of the socio-economic impacts of a typical A/R-CPA expected in the A/R-PoA, including impacts on biodiversity and natural ecosystems.

If socio-economic analysis of a typical A/R-CPA within the A/R-PoA indicates negative impacts that are considered significant, or if required by the host Party laws/regulations, project participants of each A/R-CPA shall undertake a socio-economic impact assessment in accordance with the procedures required by the host Party.

Section F – Stakeholders’ comments

F.1 Indicate the level at which local stakeholder comments are invited. Justify the choice

Stakeholders are defined in the CDM Glossary of Terms, Version 03, as follows:

Stakeholders mean the public, including individuals, groups or communities affected, or likely to be affected, by the proposed CDM project activity or actions leading to the implementation of such an activity.

The project participants must nominate whether stakeholder comments were invited:

at the PoA level; or
at the CPA level,

and must justify why that selection was made.

If local stakeholder consultation was conducted at PoA level, the project participants must include:

information regarding the number of comments that were invited from local stakeholders;
a summary of the comments received; and

the way in which due account was taken of any comments received

in sections F.2 to F.4 below.

F.2 Brief description how comments by local stakeholders have been invited and compiled

In this section, the project participants must describe the process by which comments from local stakeholders have been invited and compiled.

F.3 Summary of the comments received

The project participants must summarise here the comments received during the consultation process.

F.4 Report on how due account was taken of any comments received

The project participants must report here on the way in which due account was taken of comments it received as part of the stakeholder consultation process.

Attachments to the CDM-PoA-DD-AR

The CDM-PoA-DD-AR must attach:

Annex 1 - Contact information on coordinating / managing entity and participants in the A/R-PoA;
Annex 2 - Information on public funding;
Annex 3 - Baseline information; and
Annex 4 - Monitoring information.