Small-Scale A/R CDM Programme Activity Design Document (CDM-CPA-DD-SSC-AR)

The project design document for small scale afforestation and reforestation projects conducted under a Programme of Activities (CDM-CPA-DD-SSC-AR), is divided into 6 sections:

General description of the small scale (SSC) afforestation or reforestation (A/R) CDM programme activity (CPA);
Eligibility of the SSC-A/R-CPA;
Estimation of net anthropogenic GHG removals by sinks;
Environmental Analysis;
Socio-economic impacts of the SSC-A/R-CPA; and
Stakeholders' comments.

This form is for the submission of A/R-CPAs that apply a small-scale A/R approved methodology using the provision of the proposed small-scale A/R Programme of Activities (PoA).

At the time of requesting validation / registration of an SSC-A/R-PoA, the coordinating / managing entity must submit:

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

After the first SSC-A/R-CPA, every SSC-A/R-CPA that is added over time must submit a completed CDM-CPA-DD-SSC-AR.

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

Section A – General description of the proposed small-scale A/R CDM programme activity (CPA)

A CPA is defined in the CDM Glossary of Terms, version 3, as follows:

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. The applied approved methodology shall define whether the CPA is undertaken in a single facility/installation/land or undertaken in multiple facilities/installations/land.1 In the case of CPAs which individually do not exceed the SSC threshold, SSC methodologies may be used once they have first been reviewed and, as needed, revised to account for leakage in the context of a CPA.

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

A.1 Title and reference of the registered small-scale A/R PoA to which CPA is added

Project participants must record the title and reference of the registered SSC-A/R-PoA to which the SSC-A/R-CPA is added.

A.2 Title of the small-scale A/R CPA

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

A.3 Description of the small-scale A/R CPA

The SSC-A/R-CPA must be described in this section.

A.4 Entity/individual responsible for small-scale A/R CPA

This section must contain information identifying the entity or individual responsible for the SSC-A/R-CPA (CPA Implementer(s)).

CPA Implementers may be project participants of the SSC-A/R-PoA under which the SSC-A/R-CPA is submitted, provided their names have been included in the registered SSC-A/R-PoA. If this is so, the CPA Implementer should use the same name in all places.

A.5 Description of location and boundary of the small-scale A/R CPA

A.5.1. Identification of the CPA:

This section must describe:

The host Party(ies) of the SSC-A/R-CPA;
The region, state or province in which the SSC-A/R-CPA is located; and
The city, town or community in which the SSC-A/R-CPA is located.

A.5.2. Detailed geographic delineation of the boundary of the small-scale A/R CPA, including information allowing the unique identification(s) of the proposed CPA:

In this section, project participants must provide a detailed geographic delineation of the boundary of the SSC-A/R-CPA and any other means of identification of the SSC-A/R-CPA, such as the registration number or GPS reference of the SSC-A/R-CPA.

A.6 Technical description of the CPA

A.6.1 A concise description of the present environmental conditions of the land for the proposed CPA, including a description of climate, hydrology, soils, ecosystems (including land use)

Project participants must here provide a concise description of the present environmental conditions of the land for the proposed SSC-A/R-CPA, including a description of climate, hydrology, soils and ecosystems (including land use).

A.6.2 Species and varieties selected for the proposed CPA

Here the project participants must specify the species and varieties selected for the proposed SSC-A/R-CPA.

A.6.3 A concise description of the presence, if any, of rare or endangered species and their habitats

Project participants must also provide a concise description of the presence, if any, of rare or endangered species and their habitats.

A.6.4 Proposed measures to be implemented to minimize potential leakage

Participants must describe how leakage from the project will be minimised.

A.7 A description of legal title to the land, current land tenure and rights to tCERs / lCERs issued for the proposed CPA

Participants must identify and discuss issues relating to legal title of the land, current land tenure and rights to tCERs / lCERs issued for the proposed SSC-A/R-CPA.

A.8 Assessment of the eligibility of land for the small-scale A/R CPA

A/R projects must be carried out on eligible land. Project participants must follow the latest procedures to define the eligibility of lands, as available at: http://cdm.unfccc.int/Reference/Procedures.

A.9 Information to confirm that the proposed small-scale A/R CPA is not a debundled component

The project participants must confirm that the proposed SSC-A/R-CPA is not a de-bundled component of a large scale activity.

De-bundling is defined in 4/CMP.1, Annex II, Appendix C (Decision tree for determining the occurrence of debundling) as follows:

Debundling is defined as the fragmentation of a large project activity into smaller parts (4/CMP.1, Annex II, Appendix C, paragraph 1; previously EB 7, Annex 7, paragraph 1).

The de-bundling rules provide that where a project activity is properly characterised as a small part of a large project activity (rather than a separate small-scale project activity), the project activity shall not be entitled to use the simplified modalities and procedures for small-scale projects.

A small-scale project activity that is part of a large project activity is not eligible to use the simplified modalities and procedures for small-scale CDM project activities. The full project activity or any component of the full project activity shall follow the regular CDM modalities and procedures (4/CMP.1, Annex II, Appendix C, paragraph 1).

The Guidance for determining the occurrence of debundling under a PoA provides that the rules relating to de-bundling also apply to small-scale CDM Programme Activities (CPAs) under a Programme of Activities (PoA) (EB 33, Annex 21). De-bundling for a PoA is determined according to the following rule:

For the purposes of registration of a Programme of Activities (PoA), a proposed small-scale CPA of a PoA shall be deemed to be a de-bundled component of a large scale activity if there is already an activity, which:

Has the same activity implementer as the proposed small scale CPA or has a coordinating or managing entity, which also manages a large scale PoA of the same sectoral scope, and;
The boundary is within 1 km of the boundary of the proposed small-scale CPA, at the closest point (EB 33, Annex 21, paragraph 1; EB 36, Annex 27, paragraph 7).

However, if the combined size of proposed small-scale CPAs that are deemed to be de-bundled components of a large-scale CPA does not exceed the relevant limits for that type of small-scale project, the bundle will be eligible to use the simplified modalities and procedures:

If a proposed small-scale CPA of a PoA is deemed to be a debundled component in accordance with paragraph 2 [sic] above, but the total size of such a CPA combined with a registered small-scale CPA of a PoA or a registered CDM project activity does not exceed the limits for small-scale CDM and small-scale A/R project activities as set out in Annex II of the decision 4/CMP.18 and 5/CMP.1 respectively, the CPA of a PoA can qualify to use simplified modalities and procedures for small-scale CDM and small-scale A/R CDM project activities (EB 33, Annex 21, paragraph 2; EB 36, Annex 27, paragraph 8).

More information on de-bundling is contained in the "Debundling" section.

A.10 Public funding of the proposed small-scale A/R CPA

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

A.11 Duration of the small-scale A/R CPA / crediting period

A.11.1 Starting date of the small-scale A/R CPA and of the crediting period

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

Starting date for a CPA is defined as follows in the CDM Glossay of Terms 2003, v. 3:

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.

To be applied mutatis mutandis to P-CPA, SSC-CPA, A/R-CPA, SSC A/R-CPA – Starting date of a CDM programme activity.

A.11.2 Expected operational lifetime of the small-scale A/R CPA

Project participants must here set out the expected operational lifetime of the SSC-A/R-CPA.

A.11.3 Choice of the crediting period and related information

The crediting period for an SSC-A/R-CPA is selected by the project participants, and may be either:

A 20-year crediting period, renewable twice (maximum 60 years) (Renewable Crediting Period). For each renewal to be granted, a designated operational entity must determine that the original project baseline is still valid or has been updated taking account of new data, where applicable, and informs the Executive Board accordingly. The starting date and length of the first crediting period must be determined before registration; or
A single 30-year crediting period, which may not be renewed or extended once the SSC-A/R-CPA has been registered (Fixed Crediting Period).

The duration of crediting period of an SSC-A/R-CPA is limited to the end date of the SSC-A/R-PoA, regardless of when the SSC-A/R-CPA was added.

In this section, project participants must:

choose whether the SSC-A/R-CPA will have a Renewable Crediting Period or a Fixed Crediting Period, and state their choice;
outline the starting date of the crediting period; and
outline the length of the crediting period (or of the first crediting period, if the project participants have elected a Renewable Crediting Period) in years and months.

A.12 Declaration that the CPA is neither registered as an individual CDM project activity nor is part of another Registered PoA

In this section the parties must declare that the A/R-CPA:

has not been registered as an individual CDM project activity; and
is not part of another registered PoA.

Section B – Eligibility of CPA

B.1 Justification of eligibility of the CPA to be included in the registered PoA

In this section, the project participants must describe and justify why the SSC-A/R-CPA is eligible to be included in the Registered SSC-A/R-PoA by reference to B.1.1-B.1.2.

B.1.1 Justification and demonstration of additionality of the CPA as per eligibility criteria listed in the registered PoA

B.1.2 Justification of the methodological choices applied to the CPA as per eligibility criteria listed in the registered PoA

B.2 Confirmation that the CPA is located within the geographical boundary of the registered PoA

The project participants must here confirm that the SSC-A/R-CPA is located within the geographical boundary of the registered SSC-A/R-PoA (as described in A.5 of the CDM-PoA-DD-SSC-AR).

Section C – Estimation of net anthropogenic GHG removals by sinks

C.1 Description of strata applied for ex ante estimations

Project participants must describe the stratification procedure applied to estimate ex ante removals.

C.2 Estimation of the ex ante net anthropogenic GHG removals by sinks

C.2.1 Estimate of baseline net GHG removals by sinks, if applicable

The final results of the ex ante calculations are to be summarised in the table below:

Year	Annual estimation of baseline net anthropogenic GHG removals by sinks in tonnes of CO2 e
Year A
Year B
Year C
Year …
Total estimated baseline net GHG removals by sinks (tonnes of CO2 e)
Total number of crediting years
Annual average over the crediting period of estimated baseline net GHG removals by sinks (tonnes of CO2 e)

C.2.2 Estimate of ex ante actual net GHG removals by sinks

Participants must estimate the ex ante actual net removals (that is, the sum of verifiable changes in carbon stocks minus any increase in emissions attributable to the project) in this section.

C.2.3 Estimate of ex ante leakage

Participants must then estimate leakage from the project. Leakage for SSC-A/R projects is defined in the CDM Glossary of Terms 2003, 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.

To be applied mutatis mutandis to SSC A/R – Leakage for SSC A/R projects.

SSC-A/R project activities must be designed so as to minimise leakage.

In estimating leakage from an SSC-A/R-CPA, project participants must account for all significant changes in carbon pools and actual emissions, while taking care to avoid double counting.

C.2.4 Summary of the ex ante estimation of net anthropogenic GHG removals by sinks

The resultant summary of the ex ante estimation of net anthropogenic GHG removals by sinks is to be summarised in the below table:Year

	Estimation of baseline net GHG removals by sinks (tonnes of CO2 e)	Estimation of actual net GHG removals by sinks (tonnes of CO2 e)	Estimation of leakage (tonnes of CO2 e)	Estimation of net anthropogenic GHG removals by sinks (tonnes of CO2 e)
Year A
Year B
Year C
Year …
Total (tones of CO2 e)
Total number of crediting years
Annual average over the crediting period of estimated net anthropogenic GHG removals by sinks (tonnes of CO2 e)

C.3 Application of the monitoring methodology and monitoring plan to the small-scale CPA

C.3.1 Sampling design and stratification

Project participants must describe the sampling design and stratification procedure in this section.

C.3.2 Description of the monitoring plan

In this section, project participants must provide a description of the monitoring plan based on the monitoring plan for a typical SSC-A/R-CPA as described in the registered SSC-A/R-PoA (section C.5.5 of CDM-POA-DD-SSC-AR form).

Section D – Environmental analysis

D.1 Please indicate if the environmental analysis has been undertaken at the PoA level

In this section, the project participants must indicate whether environmental analysis has been undertaken at the PoA level. If it has, sections D.2 and D.3 need not be completed in this CDM-CPA-DD-SSC-AR form (as the relevant information will have already been attached to the CDM-PoA-DD-SSC-AR).

D.2 Provide analysis of the environmental impacts, including transboundary impacts (if any)

If environmental analysis is undertaken at the CPA level, the project participants must provide separate documentation detailing the likely environmental impacts of the project. This must be attached to the CDM-CPA-DD-SSC-AR.

D.3 If any negative impact is considered significant by the project participants or the host Party, provide a statement that project participants have undertaken an environmental impact assessment in accordance with the procedures required by the host Party(ies). This statement should include conclusions and all references to supporting documentation

This section need only be completed if environmental analysis is at the CPA level.

D.4 Description of planned monitoring and remedial measures to address significant impacts referred to in section D.3. above

Section E – Socio-economic impacts of the CPA

E.1 Please indicate if the socio-economic impact analysis has been undertaken at the PoA level

Note:

If the socio-economic impact analysis has been undertaken at the PoA level, sections E.2. and E.3 in this form need not be completed.

E.2 Provide analysis of the socio-economic impacts, including transboundary impacts (if any)

In this section, the project participants must indicate whether socio-economic impact analysis has been undertaken at the PoA level. If it has, sections E.2 and E.3 need not be completed in this CDM-CPA-DD-SSC-AR form (as the relevant information will have already been attached to the CDM-PoA-DD-SSC-AR).

E.3 If any negative impact is considered significant by the project participants or the host Party, provide, a statement that project participants have undertaken an socio-economic impact assessment in accordance with the procedures required by the host Party (ies). This statement should include conclusions and all references to supporting documentation

E.4 Description of planned monitoring and remedial measures to address significant impacts referred to in section E.3. above

Section F – Stakeholders' comments

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.

F.1 Please indicate if the local stakeholder comments have been invited at the PoA level

The project participants must indicate whether stakeholder comments were invited:

at the PoA level; or
at the CPA level.

If local stakeholder consultation was conducted at PoA level, the project participants need not complete sections F.2 to F.4 in this CDM-CPA-DD-SSC-AR form.

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

If stakeholder consultation has been conducted at CPA level, the project participants must in this section describe the process by which comments from local stakeholders have been invited and compiled.

F.3 Summary of the comments received

If stakeholder consultation has been conducted at CPA level, 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

If stakeholder consultation has been conducted at CPA level, 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-CPA-DD-SSC-AR

The CDM-CPA-DD-SSC-AR must attach:

Annex 1 - Contact information on entity / individual responsible for the SSC-A/R-CPA;
Annex 2 - Information on public funding;
Annex 3 - Baseline information;
Annex 4 - Monitoring information; and
Annex 5 – Declaration on low income communities.