CLEAN DEVELOPMENT MECHANISM
AR-TOOL19
A/R Methodological tool
Demonstration of eligibility of lands for A/R
CDM project activities
Version 02.0
AR-TOOL19
A/R Methodological tool: Demonstration of eligibility of lands for A/R CDM project activities
Version 02.0
1. Introduction
1. This tool provides a step-by-step method for demonstrating eligibility of land for an
afforestation or reforestation (A/R) project activity under the clean development
mechanism (CDM). The tool also specifies the type of information and data that shall be
furnished for demonstration of eligibility of land.
2. Scope, applicability, and entry into force
2.1. Scope
2. The tool covers all types of A/R CDM project activity or programme of activity.
2.2. Applicability
3. This tool has no internal applicability conditions.
2.3. Entry into force
4. The date of entry into force of the revision is the date of the publication of the EB 75
meeting report on 4 October 2013.
3. Normative references
5. The following documents are indispensable for the application of this tool:
(a) Glossary of CDM terms;
(b) The annex to the decision 5/CMP1 (Modalities and procedures for A/R CDM
project activities).
4. Definitions
6. The definitions contained in the Glossary of CDM terms shall apply.
7. For the purpose of this tool, the following definition shall apply:
(a) Forest threshold values applicable to the host Party - refers to the values of
minimum tree crown cover, minimum land area, and minimum tree height
reported to the Executive Board of the CDM by the host Party under paragraph 8
of the annex to decision 5/CMP1 (Modalities and procedures for A/R CDM project
activities).
5. Demonstrating eligibility of land
8. Project participants shall provide evidence that the land within the planned project
boundary is eligible for an A/R CDM project activity by following the steps outlined below:
(a) Demonstrate that the land at the start of the project activity does not contain
forest by providing transparent information confirming that:
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AR-TOOL19
A/R Methodological tool: Demonstration of eligibility of lands for A/R CDM project activities
Version 02.0
(i) Vegetation on the land is below the forest threshold values applicable to the
host Party;
(ii) The young natural stands and plantations on the land, if existing at the start
of the project activity, are not expected to reach or exceed the forest
threshold values applicable to the host Party;
(iii) The land is not a part of forest area that is temporarily unstocked as a result
of human intervention (e.g. harvesting) or natural causes, and the land is
not expected to revert to forest.
(b) Demonstrate that the land also met criteria under sub-paragraph (a) above on
31 December 1989.
Note 1. Where the vegetation comprises of tree storeys of different heights, each
tree storey meeting the height threshold or having the potential to meet the height
threshold at maturity in situ shall be included in determining whether the tree
crown cover (or equivalent stocking level) threshold is reached or not.
Note 2. If the host Party has confirmed to the Executive Board of the CDM that
either palms or bamboos or both are considered trees for the purpose of
determining the forest threshold values, then the crowns of palms or bamboos or
both, as appropriate, shall be included in determining the tree crown cover.
Otherwise palms or bamboos or both, as appropriate, shall be considered shrub
vegetation, both in the baseline and in the project.
9. In order to demonstrate that the land meets the criteria provided under paragraph 8
above, the project participants shall provide information that reliably discriminates
between forest and non-forest land on the basis of the forest threshold values applicable
to the host Party. Such information may include, inter alia, one or more of the following:
(a) Aerial photographs or satellite imagery complemented by ground reference data;
(b) Land-use or land-cover information from maps or digital spatial datasets;
(c) Ground-based surveys (e.g. land-use or land-cover information from permits or
plans, information from local registers such as cadastre or owner registers).
10. If the information required under paragraph 9 above is not available, the project
participants shall submit a written testimony as the result of a Participatory Rural
Appraisal (PRA) methodology1.
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1
PRA is an approach to the analysis of local problems and the formulation of tentative solutions with local
stakeholders. It makes use of a wide range of visualisation methods for group-based analysis to deal
with spatial and temporal aspects of social and environmental problems. This methodology is, for
example, described in:
(a) Chambers R (1992): Rural Appraisal: Rapid, Relaxed, and Participatory. Discussion Paper 311,
Institute of Development Studies, Sussex;
(b) Theis J, Grady H (1991): Participatory rapid appraisal for community development. Save the
Children Fund, London.
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AR-TOOL19
A/R Methodological tool: Demonstration of eligibility of lands for A/R CDM project activities
Version 02.0
Document information
Version Date Description
02.0 4 October 2013 EB 75, Annex 25
The revision:
Incorporates related clarification issued by the Board in
meeting report EB31 paragraph 45 and meeting report EB32
paragraph 44;
Removes the distinction between the requirements for
demonstration of land eligibility for 'afforestation' vs.
'reforestation';
Changes the title from “Procedures to demonstrate the
eligibility of lands for afforestation and reforestation CDM
project activities” to tool for “Demonstration of eligibility of
lands for A/R CDM project activities", in line with the nature of
the document.
01 19 October 2007 EB 35, Annex 18
New procedures developed on request of CMP2. Initial adoption at
EB 35.
Decision Class: Regulatory
Document Type: Tool
Business Function: Methodology
Keywords: afforestation reforestation, AR project activity, eligibility of land
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