A Note about the Proposed Methodologies, Tools, and Consultation Process
As part of our commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement, the Global Carbon Council (GCC) is pleased to announce the public consultation for two new methodologies developed and two methodological tools under our Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) program. These methodologies are applicable to Forestry Project Activities on Lands Except Wetlands and Degraded Mangrove Habitats. The consultation period will be open for 30 calendar days 07-Aug-2024 to 06-Sep-2024 in accordance with the GCC Program Processes document.
Stakeholders are invited to provide their views and comments on the baseline and monitoring methodologies listed below. Your feedback will be invaluable in refining these methodologies, further enhancing their robustness, transparency, and effectiveness in promoting sustainable development and climate action. Public comments will be taken into account by the Regulatory Committee of GCC.
- GCC AFOLU Methodology for Forestry Project Activities on Lands Except Wetlands (GCC MA001 V1.0)
Based on the CDM A/R Large-scale Consolidated Methodology AR-ACM0003, this methodology applies to forestry projects on non-wetland lands. Key features include:
Scope
This methodology is applicable for forestry projects on lands excluding wetlands.
Applicability Conditions
This methodology is applicable under the following conditions:
- Land Classification: The land must not be classified as wetlands. Shallow peat soils (less than 0.05 meters in depth) are treated as high-carbon content mineral soils.
- Agricultural Land Management: The project activity should not fall into the Agricultural Land Management category. Specifically, the management of animals grazing on pasture, range, or paddock as part of the project activity is excluded. However, the project may displace pre-project agricultural activities.
- Non-CO2 Emissions: Non-CO2 GHG emissions should not exceed 105% of the baseline emissions from similar activities, with exceptions for biomass burning and fertilizer application.
- Soil Disturbance: Soil disturbance due to the project activity must cover less than 10% of the area in each land type, including land with shallow peat layers.
Benefits
The methodology enables:
- Assessment of Carbon Stock changes: Provides guidance for forestry projects on evaluation of changes in carbon stocks in above- and below-ground (mandatory) and litter, dead wood and soil organic carbon (optional) carbon pools.
- Assessment of non-CO2 GHGs emissions: Provides guidance for assessment of CH4, and N2O emissions from burning of biomass and application of synthetic and organic fertilizers.
Read the full document: GCC MA001 – Methodology for non-wetlands (globalcarboncouncil.com)
- GCC AFOLU Methodology for Project Activities on Degraded Mangrove Habitats (GCC MA002 V1.0)
This methodology, derived from the CDM A/R Large-scale Consolidated Methodology AR-AM0014, targets the reforestation of degraded mangrove habitats. Key features include:
Scope
This methodology applies to projects focused on the rehabilitation of wetlands constituting degraded mangrove habitats.
Applicability Conditions
This methodology is applicable under the following conditions:
- Land Classification: The land must be classified as a degraded mangrove habitat.
- Litter Accumulation: The project activity must not decrease the rate of litter accumulation compared to the baseline.
- Agricultural Land Management: The project activity must not fall into the Agricultural Land Management category.
- Mangrove Coverage: At least 80% of the project area must be planted with mangrove species. If more than 10% of the area is planted with non-mangrove species, the project must not alter the hydrology of the project area or connected wetland areas.
- Non-CO2 Emissions: The project must not cause a significant increase in non-CO2 emissions compared to the baseline, except for biomass burning.
- Soil Disturbance: Soil disturbance due to the project activity must cover less than 10% of the area.
- Soil Organic Carbon: Soil Organic Carbon should either be stable or declining in the baseline scenario.
Benefits
The methodology enables projects to focus on:
- Restoration of Mangrove Ecosystems: Supports the reforestation of degraded mangrove habitats, enhancing carbon sequestration and restoring vital coastal ecosystems.
- Ecological Benefits: protection and restoration coastal habitats.
Read the document: GCC MA002 – Methodology for Forestry Activities on Degraded Mangrove Habitats (globalcarboncouncil.com)
- GCC AFOLU Tool for Estimation of GHG Emissions from Fertilizer Use in Projects (GCC TA003 V1.0)
This tool estimates GHG emissions from the application of synthetic and organic fertilizers in AFOLU projects. It covers both direct and indirect nitrous oxide emissions, as well as carbon dioxide emissions from liming and urea applications. Key features include:
Scope
This tool is designed for estimating greenhouse gas emissions related to the application of synthetic and organic fertilizers in GCC AFOLU project activities. It may be applied in the baseline and project for estimation of:
- Direct and indirect nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from the application of synthetic and organic fertilizers.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from liming and urea application.
The tool is applicable to AFOLU projects implementing:
- Forestation activities.
- Changes in forest management practices.
- Transitions from conventional agricultural practices to regenerative agriculture, natural and organic farming, or agroforestry.
Read the document: GCC TA003 – Tool for GHG Emissions from Fertilizer use in projects (globalcarboncouncil.com)
- GCC AFOLU Tool for Estimation of Change in Soil Organic Carbon Content in Mineral Soils (GCC TA002 V1.0)
This tool estimates carbon stock changes in the soil organic carbon pool in AFOLU project activities. It applies to projects implementing regenerative agriculture, natural and organic farming, agroforestry, and other land management practices that enhance soil carbon accumulation. Key features include:
Scope
This tool is designed for the estimation of carbon stock changes in the soil organic carbon pool for AFOLU project activities. It is applicable in the baseline and project for estimation of changes in the stock of soil organic carbon pool.
The tool is specifically suitable for projects transitioning from conventional agricultural practices (such as full tillage) to regenerative agriculture, natural and organic farming, agroforestry, and other land management practices that enhance soil carbon accumulation.
Applicability
The tool is intended for projects that:
- Implement practices leading to increased soil carbon accumulation, such as regenerative agriculture and agroforestry.
- Transition from conventional practices to methods that improve soil health and increase carbon sequestration.
Read the full document: GCC TA002 – SOC Tool for AFOLU projects (globalcarboncouncil.com)
Consultation Process
We encourage all interested parties to review these methodologies and tools and provide their insights and feedback. Your feedback will be invaluable in refining these methodologies, further enhancing their robustness, transparency, and effectiveness in promoting sustainable development and climate action.
Public Consultation Period:
The consultation period for these methodologies will be open from 07-Aug-2024 to 06-Sep-2024.
Read the full documents at Methodologies – Global Carbon Council (GCC)
Submit Your Feedback: Please provide your comments in the GCC document commenting sheet format and send them to Global Carbon Council via email at Operations@globalcarboncouncil.com
For more details about GCC and our AFOLU methodologies, please visit our website at www.globalcarboncouncil.com.
