9 November 2010: The reports from the October meetings of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Afforestation/Reforestation Working Group, Small-Scale Working Group and Methodologies Panel are now available on the CDM website.

The CDM Afforestation/Reforestation Working Group (A/R WG) held its 30th meeting from 18-20 October 2010, in Bonn, Germany, to consider matters relating to CDM afforestation and reforestation projects. During the meeting, the A/R WG considered a proposed new A/R methodology “Afforestation or reforestation of degraded or abandoned agricultural land,” which it agreed to recommend. The A/R WG also considered revisions of the following approved methodology and methodological tools: approved methodology “Afforestation/Reforestation with Trees Supported by Shrubs on Degraded Land;” approved tool for “Estimation of Carbon Stocks, Removals and Emissions for the Dead Organic Matter Pools due to Implementation of a CDM A/R Project Activity;” and approved tool “Calculation of the number of sample plots for measurements within A/R CDM project activities.” It agreed to recommend to the CDM Executive Board to approve the revised methodology and tools. Other recommendations made by the A/R WG to the Executive Board are contained in annexes to the report.

The Small-Scale Working Group (SSC WG) held its 28th meeting from 19-22 October 2010, in Bonn, Germany, to consider matters relating to small-scale CDM projects. The SSC WG considered requests for revisions to, or clarifications of, approved small-scale methodologies, as well as for the creation of new methodologies. In addition, the SSC WG developed and recommended a methodology titled “Substituting fossil fuel based lighting with LED lighting systems.” The methodology includes: several conservative default values to enable simplified determination of baseline emissions; quality requirements for project equipment to ensure continued provision of lighting service; and simplified survey requirement for the retention rates of project equipment. The group agreed to indicate that the methodology may have high relevance for expanded application of the CDM to least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS). Other recommendations made by the SSC WG to the Executive Board are contained in annexes to the report.

The CDM Methodologies Panel held its 46th meeting from 25-29 October 2010, in Bonn, Germany, to consider matters relating to methodologies for baselines and monitoring plans. During the meeting, the Panel considered four proposed new methodologies, and agreed to: continue consideration of two of the methodologies at its next meeting; and to make preliminary recommendations regarding the other two, requesting technical clarifications from the project participants before finalizing its recommendation to the Executive Board. It also considered requests for clarification on, and revision to, approved methodologies.

In addition, the Methodologies Panel considered some requests by the Executive Board. Regarding the revision of approved methodologies to further improve their objectivity, applicability, usability and consistency, the Panel requested the Executive Board to take note that it analyzed 32 methodologies and identified several areas of improvement, such as a broader use of conservative default values or discount factor, development of new tools to ensure consistency among methodologies and removal of minor emission sources. Based on this analysis, the panel agreed to initiate a revision of two methodologies and to consider initiating further revisions at its next meeting. The panel also agreed to analyze 16 additional methodologies for consideration at its 48th meeting. Other recommendations made by the Panel to the Executive Board are contained in annexes to the report. [A/R Working Group Report] [SSC Working Group Report] [Methodologies Panel Report]