Carbopedia

Carbon Project Methodologies

There are many different methodologies used to create carbon credits under a particular standard. They range from enhancing sustainable technological to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

In general, Carbon Planet categorises these methodologies into three key groups:

  • Renewable Energy
  • Improved Efficiency & Sustainable Industrial Processes
  • Agriculture, Forestry & Other Land Use (AFOLU)

Renewable Energy

Humanity's reliance on electricity is growing at an alarming rate and when most sources of power generation come from emission intensive techniques such as burning coal, not only is there a growing need for change, there are huge opportunities to help facilitate these changes as well. Example of renewable energy include Solar, Wind, Small Scale Run of River Hydro, Tidal, Geothermal and more. Emission reductions for projects producing power can be calculated based on the difference in emissions factors, emissions of CO2 per unit of power produced in the baseline compared to the improved project scenario. This difference in emission factors can then be multiplied by the amount of power produced to determine the emission reductions associated with the project activity.

Improved Efficiency & Sustainable Industrial Processes

All industrial processes exist to satisfy the various requirements of human beings and many of these activities, particularly in less developed parts of the world exist where there is little or no quality control procedures or regulations to monitor and guide them. These circumstances often result in inefficient, heavy polluting practices with a large scope for improvement and with the additional financial incentive available from a carbon credit revenue there are terrific opportunities to do better than business as usual. For example, switching from one fuel source to a cleaner one can occur in an existing installation and in most cases these activities will turn to renewable biomass, that can also improve existing waste treatment practices or to natural gas. In other cases like those that utilise waste heat recovery, old existing technology is replaced with new and improved components for greater overall efficiency. As a result the revenue from their carbon credits sales offsets the additional investment. By encouraging these projects you will help set a worthwhile example for industry as a whole to follow.

Commonly utilised methodologies include:

  • Landfill gas capture and destruction
  • Coal mine methane destruction
  • Fuel switching
  • Biomass
  • Nitrogen Oxide abatement

Agriculture, Forestry & Other Land Use (AFOLU)

Agricultural projects relate to improved farming techniques, such as no till cropping, reduced chemical use or improved livestock management that avoid or capture methane. Forestry includes Afforestation where no natural forests previously existed or Reforestation that rehabilitates land that was once forested but has since been cleared by humans. Land use relates to the environment where humans have converted a natural habitat into built environments such as farm lands and settlements. The major effect of land use has been deforestation of temperate and tropical regions, the effects can include urban sprawl, soil erosion, soil degradation, salinisation and the creation of deserts. Land use change, together with the use of fossil fuels are the major man made sources of carbon dioxide. Land use practices have a major impact on natural resources, projects that encourage responsible management techniques or that avoid deforestation will ensure the long term quality of the land for human use, the prevention of social conflicts related to land use and the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity.

Commonly utilised methodologies include:

  • Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD)
  • Improved forestry or wetland management
  • Agricultural Land Management (ALM)
  • Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR)

Please contact us for more on the differences between methodologies or if you require further information on specific methodologies mentioned above.