Freiburg im Breisgau, March 2022
Contact: Jennifer Mora, project coordinator, mora@perspectives.cc
International carbon markets under the Paris Agreement can start following the adoption of the Article 6 rulebook at COP26 in Glasgow. However, there are no agreed methodologies to calculate baseline emissions and monitor emissions mitigation under Article 6. Therefore, Perspectives Climate Research is coordinating international work by a group of leading independent experts to develop Article 6 methodology tools throughout 2022. These tools shall be combined with baseline and monitoring methodologies that have been used under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The International Initiative for Development of Article 6 Methodology Tools (II-AMT) will therefore enable Article 6 activity developers and regulators to use the large stock of existing methodologies while respecting the principles and approaches of Article 6. Thus, Article 6 methodologies do not need to be developed “from scratch”, which would take many years and would require significant financial and human resources.
The conceptualisation phase of the International Initiative for Article 6 Methodology Tools runs until April 2022 and is supported by the Swedish Energy Agency, the Ministry of Environment of Japan, and the African Development Bank.
The international team of experts includes:
Axel Michaelowa, Perspectives Climate Research, Switzerland Clayton Munnings, Munnings Consulting, US
Derik Broekhoff, Stockholm Environment Institute, US Jessica Wade-Murphy, Atmosphere Alternative, Colombia
Kentaro Takahashi, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Japan Martha Ntabadde Kasozi, freelance consultant and member of the CDM methodologies panel, Uganda
Naoki Matsuo, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Japan Randall Spalding-Fecher, Carbon Limits, Norway
The experts provide different perspectives from their knowledge of climate policies and practices in key regions combined with long-standing expertise in developing CDM methodologies.
The Article 6 methodology tools to be developed by the initiative will provide practical guidance on how to:
Determine the additionality of Article 6 activities Set a robust crediting baseline
Monitor, report and verify (MRV) emissions and emission reductions
Identify and report on contributions to the host country’s nationally determined contribution (NDC) and long-term strategy
The development of the tools will include regular interactions with an advisory board and Article 6 stakeholders through a series of dedicated workshops. For updates on the initiative, please click here.
The expert team comments the launch of the initiative below:
“We want to bridge the “valley of death” for international carbon markets by providing pragmatic, yet highly credible tools to kickstart Article 6” – Axel Michaelowa, Perspectives Climate Research.
“This effort will facilitate a strong start for Article 6 of the Paris Agreement that integrates the collective wisdom earned through the Clean Development Mechanism.” – Clayton Munnings, Munnings Consulting.
“This is a critically important initiative for ensuring that Article 6 of the Paris Agreement can quickly and efficiently deliver on its promise to mobilize carbon finance and promote international cooperation on climate change.” – Derik Broekhoff, Stockholm Environment Institute.
“This initiative will provide much needed tools for the next generation of mitigation activities to contribute to the Paris Agreement target.” – Jessica Wade-Murphy, Atmosphere Alternative.
“The key to a rapid and effective start for Article 6 is to build on the positive experiences and capacities from the past while ensuring that the next generation of carbon markets is fully aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement. This set of tools is an integral part of that process.”
– Randall Spalding-Fecher, Carbon Limits.
“The African Development Bank considers Article 6 activities to be an important source of revenues to support NDC ambition in Africa. Given the slow start experienced under the Kyoto Mechanisms, the Bank is keen to ensure African countries are ready to engage and is pleased to support this initiative through the GEF funded African Climate Technology Finance Center and Network (ACTFCN)” – Al-Hamdou Dorsouma, African Development Bank.