VM0034 British Columbia Forest Carbon Offset Methodology 8 ...

VCS Methodology

VM0034 British Columbia Forest Carbon Offset Methodology

Version 1.0 8 December 2015 Sectoral Scope 14

Methodology developed by:

VM0034, Version 1.0 Sectoral Scope 14

Climate Action Secretariat Ministry of Environment, Province of British Columbia

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Limitation of Liability This methodology is licensed "as is." Her Majesty the Queen in Right of British Columbia (the "Methodology Developer") disclaims any and all responsibilities or warranties of any kind or nature, whether express or implied, in relation to merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose by any other person or entity of the methodology, any emission offset or credit or other unit related to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or enhancement of carbon sequestration generated in accordance with this methodology or any derivative works. Project proponents, end users and any other relevant persons or entities assume the entire risk and responsibility for the safety, efficacy, performance, design, marketability, title and quality of the methodology, any emission offset or credit or other unit related to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or enhancement of carbon sequestration generated in accordance with this methodology or any other derivative works prepared by or used by project proponents, end users of this methodology and other relevant persons or entities. The Methodology Developer assumes no liability in respect of any infringement of any rights of third parties due to the activities of project proponents, end user or any other person or entity, under the methodology or any derivative works. In no event shall Methodology Developer or its employees, consultants or agents be responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages or lost profits arising out of project proponent, end user or any other person or entity's use of this methodology.

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Table of Contents

1 SOURCES ............................................................................................................................................. 5 1.1 General GHG Quantification Guidance .......................................................................................... 5 1.2 Forestry-Specific Guidance and Methodologies............................................................................. 5

2 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODOLOGY ....................................................................... 6 2.1 GHG(s) Included in Methodology ................................................................................................... 7 2.3 Methodology Flexibility ................................................................................................................... 8

3 DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 9 4 APPLICABILITY CONDITIONS ........................................................................................................... 13 5 PROJECT BOUNDARY....................................................................................................................... 14

5.1 Identification of the Project Area................................................................................................... 14 5.2 Identification of Project SSPs ....................................................................................................... 16 6 BASELINE SCENARIO........................................................................................................................ 26 7 ADDITIONALITY .................................................................................................................................. 26 7.1 Project Additionality ...................................................................................................................... 26 8 QUANTIFICATION OF GHG EMISSION REDUCTIONS AND REMOVALS ...................................... 36 8.1 Overview of Quantification Approach ........................................................................................... 36 8.2 Baseline Emissions....................................................................................................................... 84 8.3 Project Emissions ......................................................................................................................... 85 8.4 Leakage ........................................................................................................................................ 88 8.5 Net GHG Emission Reductions and Removals .......................................................................... 104 9 MONITORING.................................................................................................................................... 107 9.1 Data and Parameters Available at Validation ............................................................................. 107 9.2 Data and Parameters Monitored ................................................................................................ 116 9.3 Monitoring Plan........................................................................................................................... 130 10 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................... 135 APPENDIX A: LEAKAGE FROM FOREST CARBON PROJECTS.......................................................... 137 APPENDIX B: EXAMPLE SUBSTITUTABILITY EQUATIONS................................................................. 143 APPENDIX C: SUBSTITUTABILITY ESTIMATES FOR COMMERCIAL TREE SPECIES IN BC ........... 146 APPENDIX D: DERIVATION OF WOOD DENSITY FACTORS............................................................... 147 APPENDIX E: BC TIMBER HARVESTING VOLUME BY SPECIES AND REGION................................ 148 APPENDIX F: DERIVATION OF HWP AND DISCARDED HWP CH4 EMISSION FACTORS ................ 150 APPENDIX G: BC FOREST DISTRICTS BY REGION ............................................................................ 155

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SOURCES

In developing this methodology, a range of good practice guidance has been consulted, including both general greenhouse gas (GHG) quantification guidance and guidance specific to forestry projects. Written guidance consulted in the development of this methodology includes, but was not limited to the documents listed below.

1.1

General GHG Quantification Guidance

Canada's Offset System for GHG Guide for Protocol Developers, Draft for Consultation, 20081

CDM Tool 02 Combined tool to identify the baseline scenario and demonstrate additionality

IPCC 2003 GPG for LULUCF ISO 14064-22 IPCC Guidelines for National GHG Inventories (2006) System of Measurement and Reporting for Technologies3 VCS Program Definitions VCS Program Guide WRI / WBCSD GHG Protocol for Project Accounting4

1.2

Forestry-Specific Guidance and Methodologies

American Carbon Registry Improved Forest Management Methodology September 20105 British Columbia Forest Offset Guide Version 1.06 Climate Action Reserve Forest Project Protocol Version 3.27

1 Turning the Corner, Canada's Offset System for GHG Guide for Protocol Developers, Draft for Consultation, Environment Canada (2008). 2 ISO 14064-2:2006, GHG - Part 2: Specification with guidance at the project level for quantification, monitoring and reporting of GHG emission reductions or removal enhancements (2006). 3 Climate Change Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM) Requirements and Guidance for the System of Measurement And Reporting for Technologies (SMART), Government of Canada (2004). 4 World Resources Institute / World Business Council for Sustainable Development, The GHG Protocol for Project Accounting, November, 2005. 5 American Carbon Registry / Finite Carbon, Improved Forest Management Methodology for Quantifying GHG Removals and Emission Reductions through Increased Forest Carbon Sequestration on U.S. Timberland, September 2010. 6 British Columbia Forest Offset Guide Version 1.0, B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range, April 2009 7 Climate Action Reserve, Forest Project Protocol Version 3.2, August 31, 2010

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