[Stoves] Questions about CDM Methodology AMS.II-G: "Energy efficiency measures in thermal applications of non-renewable biomass"

[Ruy Korscha Anaya de la Rosa]

Hola Candela,

The project activity you are talking about involves the switch from
biomass (a renewable fuel) to LPG (fossil fuel). Arguably, this switch
is not sustainable. Now, the CDM accepts the concept of Non Renewable
Biomass (NRB) for the dissemination of improved devices using biomass
that hypothetically result in less deforestation. To access carbon
finance, project proponents must develop a story comparing a NRB
baseline and project scenarios.

Since the use of LPG is generally less carbon intensive per unit of
heat delivered than wood or charcoal, some project storytellers argue
that the switch from NRB to LPG reduce GHG emissions. I was one of
these storytellers and wrote a project design document (PDD) in
Morocco 7 years ago that involved the displacement of wood with LPG
bread ovens. At that time, there was a specific proposed (not
approved) methodology (should still be somewhere) that allowed the
NRB-LPG switch. However, the project activity is controversial and did
not make to the CDM. Since it is common practice for project
storytellers who fail to comply with CDM requirements to turn their
attention to the voluntary carbon markets, the NGO I was working with
looked at voluntary carbon buyers. Typically, the voluntary
"offsetters" are interested in greening their image so they have to
tell the story over and over again to their clients. When the story of
a project is difficult to transmit to the consumers of supposedly
"carbon neutral" goods or services, finance from carbon offsetting
fails to reach recipients.

The story we are discussing is weak but I am sure some will buy it in
the voluntary carbon markets. Suggest to not focus on the CDM.

Best regards,

Ruy




> Message: 9
> Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 10:43:50 +0100
> From: Candela de la sota s?ndez <candelasota at gmail.com>
> To: Discussion of biomass cooking stoves
> 	<stoves at lists.bioenergylists.org>
> Subject: Re: [Stoves] Questions about CDM Methodology AMS.II-G:
> 	"Energy efficiency measures in thermal applications of non-renewable
> 	biomass"

>
> Hello again!
>
> I'm using the CDM methodology AMS.II-G: "Energy efficiency measures in
> thermal applications of non-renewable biomass" and I'm facing some
> problems.
>
>  I don't know if this methodology can be applied to a project which aims to
> deplace traditional biomass by LPG stoves.
> The scope and applicability definition don't consider the option of
> swiching non-renewable biomass use by fossil fuel use, but it is not
> excluded either.
>
> Here is the link to the methodology. I think it is quite ambiguous on this
> point. If you look at equation 5 (page 6) is MAYBE here where we can
> introduce LPG consumption.
>
> http://cdm.unfccc.int/filestorage/7/m/24G3EKN6PT0QJ1BHRICMYDX97OW8UF.pdf/EB70_repan30_AMS-II.G_ver05.0.pdf?t=NHJ8bXp1bDNufDDA-vLs3oAZbIPBlUqf1vbZ
>
> Could anyone help me with this?
>
> Thank you!
>
> candela