S3: Article 6 readiness and eligibility: As the mechanisms and rules for Article 6 of the Paris Agreement continue to develop, Article 6 readiness and eligibility, is a criterion that recognizes Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) as one of the end-uses that ERCs generated will need to consider. Although the discussions around the mechanisms for Article 6 transactions under voluntary market standards are still nascent, a crucial piece surrounding these transactions would be the mechanisms and procedures for corresponding adjustments (CAs) to ensure that emission reductions or removals are not counted towards multiple NDCs. This is expected to be a critical accounting mechanism under Article 6, to enable the effectiveness of carbon markets in contributing towards climate action.
Host countries of projects under the VCM will therefore also need to consider having frameworks and mechanisms in place to facilitate the authorization and tracking of Article 6-aligned transactions, including that of CAs. Countries with such capabilities will be well placed for selling ERCs that are that are aligned with the principles and goals of the Paris Agreement, which could provide greater confidence for buyers looking to purchase ERCs that ensure that double-counting risks are managed through the host country’s NDC calculations and reporting.
Two subcomponents are used to drive the rating for the project type’s Article 6 readiness and eligibility:
- Readiness: Credibility of the legal frameworks to process and facilitate Article 6-aligned transactions and the CAs resulting from these transactions, and institutions to process such transactions in line with the frameworks, at a country level.
- Eligibility: Clarity of the path to the project being authorized for Article 6-aligned transactions and CAs within the country’s current framework, for the specific project type.
The guideposts below provide guidance on the project type’s rating for each subcomponent, that will contribute towards its average Article 6 readiness and eligibility rating, following the levels indicated in Introduction to the Project Assessment Framework. See Figure 2.4. The Guidelines for Country Systems developed for the ERP alongside this paper can also be leveraged, where the country-level assessment for the criteria D1: Defined Article 6 transaction mechanisms will provide insights on the closeness to best practice of their frameworks, criteria, processes and mechanisms for Article 6 transactions, and inputs on project types likely eligible for these transactions.
Figure 2.4. Guideposts for rating Article 6 readiness and eligibility
Rationale for rating | Rating |
|---|---|
| Article 6 Readiness | |
| There is a comprehensive framework in place for Article 6 transactions aligned with best practice to facilitate such transactions, and there are institutions that have the core capabilities in place to facilitate such transactions, as demonstrated not just by the release of operational tools, but evidenced by a large number of completed CA-labelled transactions. | |
| There is a general framework in place for Article 6 transactions, and the institutions that are to facilitate such transactions per the framework have published relevant operational tools such as rules, templates, platforms, and processes for potential project proponents to refer to. | |
| No frameworks and institutions in place to facilitate Article 6 transactions and the related CAs. | |
| Article 6 Eligibility | |
| The project's parameters and/or specific project type(s) are included in a positive list or a similar listing of prioritized projects that are eligible for Article 6 transactions and CAs (or even not included in a negative list) and there can be a reasonable assumption that the project being assessed may be authorized for Article 6 transactions and CAs if requirements are met and processes are followed. | |
| General criteria set out for projects that may be approved by the government for Article 6 transactions and CAs in place within the existing frameworks, from which there can be a reasonable assumption that the project being assessed may be authorized for Article 6 transactions and CAs if requirements are met and processes are followed. | |
| No criteria set out within the existing frameworks to understand which projects can be authorized for Article 6 transactions and CAs. | |