Region: Global
Country: Global / Non-Specific
Sector: Energy and Power
Keywords: Emission Reduction Program
Document Link(s):
Document(s):
Document Summary:
This paper examines factors that affect environmental integrity under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, and identifies practical approaches for implementing the concept based on lessons learned from the World Bank’s pilot activities and feedback from stakeholders in pilot countries. The starting point is the commonly accepted definition that environmental integrity is ensured as long as global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions do not increase as a result of transfers of mitigation outcomes (MOs) (when compared to the scenario where such transfers did not take place).
Document Details:
Ensuring environmental integrity is recognized as an important goal under Article 6. This paper examines factors that affect environmental integrity under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, and identifies practical approaches for implementing the concept based on lessons learned from the World Bank’s pilot activities and feedback from stakeholders in pilot countries. The starting point is the commonly accepted definition that environmental integrity is ensured as long as global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions do not increase as a result of transfers of mitigation outcomes (MOs) (when compared to the scenario where such transfers did not take place). Under the Kyoto protocol, not all countries had mitigation obligations. In contrast, the Paris Agreement requires all countries to voluntarily adopt individual targets, articulated in their nationally determined contribution (NDC). This effectively introduces a national commitment or emissions cap for the entire economy or for the sectors covered by the NDC. This means that the transfer of MOs will affect the host country’s ability to achieve its own NDC if decisions related to such transfers do not take into account the need for corresponding adjustments and the opportunity cost of making such adjustments. In this context, ensuring environmental integrity - transferring MOs without affecting the country’s ability to meet its NDC and ensuring that such transfers do not lead to an increase in global GHG emissions - requires the assessment of two aspects: (1) stringency of NDC compared to business as usual (BAU): whether the country’s emissions cap or NDC is stringent enough and its targeted GHG emissions are not higher than what will be expected under business as usual (BAU) conditions; and (2) unit quality: whether the volume of transferred MOs generated from a mitigation activity is accurately calculated by setting a stringent or conservative baseline.
Updated: January 11, 2024
Related Content
Unlocking Global Emission Reduction Credit
Page Specific DisclaimerThis section is intended to be a living document and will be reviewed at regular intervals. The Guidelines have not been prepared with any specific transaction in mind and are meant to serve only as general guidance. It is therefore critical that the Guidelines be reviewed and adapted for specific transactions. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in the Materials in this Site are those of the various authors of the Materials and are not necessarily those of The World Bank Group, its member institutions, or their respective Boards of Executive Directors or member countries. For feedback on the content of this section of the website or suggestions for links or materials that could be included, please contact the PPPLRC at ppp@worldbank.org.
KeywordsBanner NoticeWatch this space. Unlocking Global Emission Reduction Credit is intended to be a living document and will be reviewed at regular intervals. Check the page below or download the following reports: Strategic Guidance for Country System Assessments and Guidance for Countries in Assessing ERC Projects, or the Mobilizing ERC Finance. Let us know what you think by taking a Quick Survey.
Introduction to Emission Reduction Credits
Page Specific DisclaimerThis section is intended to be a living document and will be reviewed at regular intervals. The Guidelines have not been prepared with any specific transaction in mind and are meant to serve only as general guidance. It is therefore critical that the Guidelines be reviewed and adapted for specific transactions. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in the Materials in this Site are those of the various authors of the Materials and are not necessarily those of The World Bank Group, its member institutions, or their respective Boards of Executive Directors or member countries. For feedback on the content of this section of the website or suggestions for links or materials that could be included, please contact the PPPLRC at ppp@worldbank.org.
Banner NoticeWatch this space. Unlocking Global Emission Reduction Credit is intended to be a living document and will be reviewed at regular intervals. Check the page below or download the following reports: Strategic Guidance for Country System Assessments and Guidance for Countries in Assessing ERC Projects, or the Mobilizing ERC Finance. Let us know what you think by taking a Quick Survey.
Strategic Guidance for Country System Assessments
Page Specific DisclaimerThis section is intended to be a living document and will be reviewed at regular intervals. The Guidelines have not been prepared with any specific transaction in mind and are meant to serve only as general guidance. It is therefore critical that the Guidelines be reviewed and adapted for specific transactions. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in the Materials in this Site are those of the various authors of the Materials and are not necessarily those of The World Bank Group, its member institutions, or their respective Boards of Executive Directors or member countries. For feedback on the content of this section of the website or suggestions for links or materials that could be included, please contact the PPPLRC at ppp@worldbank.org.
Table of contents TitleTable of ContentsTable of contents link/Emission_Reduction_Program/Strategic_Guidance_Country_System_Assessments/Table_of_ContentsBanner NoticeWatch this space. Unlocking Global Emission Reduction Credit is intended to be a living document and will be reviewed at regular intervals. Check the page below or download the following reports: Strategic Guidance for Country System Assessments and Guidance for Countries in Assessing ERC Projects, or the Mobilizing ERC Finance. Let us know what you think by taking a Quick Survey.
Guidance for Countries in Assessing ERC Projects
Page Specific DisclaimerThis section is intended to be a living document and will be reviewed at regular intervals. The Guidelines have not been prepared with any specific transaction in mind and are meant to serve only as general guidance. It is therefore critical that the Guidelines be reviewed and adapted for specific transactions. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in the Materials in this Site are those of the various authors of the Materials and are not necessarily those of The World Bank Group, its member institutions, or their respective Boards of Executive Directors or member countries. For feedback on the content of this section of the website or suggestions for links or materials that could be included, please contact the PPPLRC at ppp@worldbank.org.
Table of contents TitleTable of ContentsTable of contents link/Emission_Reduction_Program/Guidance_for_Countries_in_Assessing_ERC_Projects/Table_of_ContentsBanner NoticeWatch this space. Unlocking Global Emission Reduction Credit is intended to be a living document and will be reviewed at regular intervals. Check the page below or download the following reports: Strategic Guidance for Country System Assessments and Guidance for Countries in Assessing ERC Projects, or the Mobilizing ERC Finance. Let us know what you think by taking a Quick Survey.
Mobilizing ERC Finance
Page Specific DisclaimerThis section is intended to be a living document and will be reviewed at regular intervals. The Guidelines have not been prepared with any specific transaction in mind and are meant to serve only as general guidance. It is therefore critical that the Guidelines be reviewed and adapted for specific transactions. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in the Materials in this Site are those of the various authors of the Materials and are not necessarily those of The World Bank Group, its member institutions, or their respective Boards of Executive Directors or member countries. For feedback on the content of this section of the website or suggestions for links or materials that could be included, please contact the PPPLRC at ppp@worldbank.org.
Table of contents TitleTable of ContentsTable of contents link/Emission_Reduction_Program/ContentsBanner NoticeWatch this space. Unlocking Global Emission Reduction Credit is intended to be a living document and will be reviewed at regular intervals. Check the page below or download the following reports: Strategic Guidance for Country System Assessments and Guidance for Countries in Assessing ERC Projects, or the Mobilizing ERC Finance. Let us know what you think by taking a Quick Survey.