Transforming Long-Distance Travel with Sustainable Carpooling Solutions
NEW: Methodology for private carpooling for long-distance inter-urban travel is available for public inputs from 28-Jan-25, 11:59 PM to 11 Feb 2025.
The Global Carbon Council (GCC) continues to expand its commitment to innovative carbon reduction methodologies with the launch of GCCM007: Methodology for Private Carpooling for Long-Distance Inter-Urban Travel for public inputs. This methodology applies to project activities that reduce low-occupancy vehicular trips by implementing a carpooling platform. Emission reductions are calculated by comparing the GHG emissions of travelers (passengers, drivers, and co-drivers) who are using carpooling, to the GHG emissions of the same travelers’ alternative modes of transport that would have been chosen in the absence of the carpooling platform.
To ensure the methodology’s effectiveness, we invite stakeholders, project developers, mobility experts, and sustainability advocates to participate in its review and provide feedback. Your input will help refine its applicability, accuracy, and impact within the carbon market framework.
Understanding the GCCM007 Methodology
What is GCCM007?
GCCM007 is a new methodology under the Global Carbon Council (GCC) Program that enables project owners to quantify and verify emission reductions from private carpooling initiatives. By facilitating higher occupancy rates in long-distance vehicle trips, this methodology ensures that fewer vehicles are on the road, leading to lower CO2 emissions per passenger.
The methodology applies to projects that establish carpooling platforms where drivers and passengers can connect for non-commercial ridesharing. The key objective is to reduce reliance on single-occupancy trips and offer a sustainable higher-occupancy transport system.
Key Features of GCCM007
Eligible Project Activities
- The methodology applies to the commercial implementation of carpooling platforms that operate in a no-profit model for drivers, ensuring fair cost-sharing without generating revenue for the driver.
- The project must focus on inter-urban travel within a single country and cannot involve cross-border journeys.
- Carpooling must be private and voluntary, without drivers earning income beyond covering travel costs such as fuel, tolls, and maintenance.
Ineligible Activities
- Car-sharing, corporate carpooling, and car-hailing (e.g., Uber, Lyft, taxis) are excluded as they do not align with the methodology’s core principles.
- The methodology does not apply to commercial services where drivers make a profit.
- Any journey where the driver alters their route significantly for a passenger is not eligible.
Emission Reductions Calculation
Emission reductions under GCCM007 are determined by comparing the emissions from carpooling trips to the emissions from alternative transport modes passengers would have used in the absence of carpooling. The methodology includes:
- Baseline Scenario: Assumes passengers would have traveled using diverse modes (private cars, buses, trains, or air travel) or might not have traveled at all.
- Project Scenario: Measures the actual emissions from carpooling trips, including vehicle type, distance traveled, and occupancy rate.
- Emission Reduction: Uses established CDM methodologies and formulas for precise calculation of CO2 savings.
Additionality Assessment
To qualify under GCCM007, projects must prove that their impact is beyond business-as-usual through a two-step additionality assessment:
- Step 1: Country-Level Analysis – Determines if inter-urban carpooling is common practice in the country. If less than 5% of total inter-urban travel is carpooling, the project qualifies for further evaluation.
- Step 2: Investment Analysis – Evaluates the financial viability of the carpooling platforms.
Monitoring and Verification
Projects must implement rigorous monitoring to track real-world impacts. The methodology outlines:
- Fixed parameters (e.g., vehicle fuel efficiency, emission factors) for the crediting period.
- Ongoing monitoring of travel distances, occupancy rates, and platform usage data.
- Independent validation and verification by GCC VVBs to ensure transparency and credibility.
Why Stakeholder Input Matters
We invite carpooling platforms, transportation experts, environmental organizations, and project developers to share their insights. Your input may help to:
- Refine the methodology’s applicability across different regions.
- Improve accuracy in emission reduction calculations.
- Ensure the methodology aligns with international best practices for carbon crediting.
📢 How to Get Involved
We encourage all interested stakeholders to review the methodology and submit your comments between 28 Jan2025 – 11:59 PM 11 Feb 2025.
📋 Review the methodology here: https://bit.ly/4jxZPsN
📩 Submit your feedback: You can provide your comments using the GCC document commenting sheet and send them via email to ✉️Operations@globalcarboncouncil.com
By working together, we can ensure that carpooling plays a significant role in the decarbonization of transport while creating a more sustainable and efficient travel system. Join us in shaping this initiative!
