๐จCDM AMS II.G: Energy Efficiency Measures in Thermal Applications of Non-Renewable Biomass
Table of Contents
Need and Use for the AMS-II.G Policy
Token (Carbon Emission Reduction)
Introduction
Access to clean cooking is a pressing global challenge, with billions of people still relying on traditional biomass fuels for their cooking needs, leading to immense human and environmental costs. In this context, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) offers a promising pathway to address this issue by introducing energy-efficient thermal energy generation units that utilize non-renewable biomass. AMS-II.G aims to promote sustainable development and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the implementation of clean cookstove projects.
AMS-II.G focuses on driving energy efficiency improvements in thermal applications that utilize non-renewable biomass. This entails the introduction of high-efficiency biomass-fired devices, such as cookstoves, ovens, or dryers, either by replacing existing inefficient appliances or by retrofitting current units to enhance their performance. By doing so, the methodology facilitates significant savings in non-renewable biomass consumption, resulting in reduced GHG emissions. This approach aligns with CDM's mission to foster projects that contribute to sustainable development while combatting climate change.
The methodology's applicability is broad, encompassing single pot or multi-pot portable or in-situ cookstoves, as long as they meet a minimum efficiency threshold of 25%. To ensure credibility and compliance, project developers must adhere to specified testing and certification requirements, presenting relevant documentation to the Designated Operational Entity (DOE).
By providing an accessible and standardized framework for clean cooking initiatives, AMS-II.G allows project developers to pursue carbon finance opportunities and attract investments from governments, companies, and individuals seeking to support climate action and sustainable development.
Currently, the AMS-II.G Guardian policy uses the Thermal Energy Output (TEO) testing method to estimate fuel consumption, which plays a crucial role in determining the energy efficiency of thermal applications and evaluating associated emissions. As the policy undergoes future iterations, additional testing methods such as the water boiling test (WBT), controlled cooking test (CCT), and kitchen performance test (KPT) will be integrated to further enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of fuel consumption estimation. Moreover, the policy includes modules like tool 30 and tool 33, which can be utilized for default values or to calculate fNRB (non-renewable biomass fraction), a parameter that is used in the emission reductions calculation.
Need and Use for the AMS-II.G Policy
A methodology like AMS-II.G is needed to address the universal challenge of guaranteeing access to clean cooking. In developing countries, more than 3 billion people, representing a substantial portion of the global population, still rely on traditional biomass fuels for their primary cooking needs using open fires or traditional stoves. This reliance on solid-fuel cooking, such as wood, crop residues, and dung, leads to immense human costs in terms of health, environmental degradation, and economic burdens.
Traditional cooking methods using solid fuels result in significant health issues due to indoor air pollution, affecting especially women and children who spend significant time near the open fires or traditional stoves. Moreover, burning solid fuels releases greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide and short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) such as black carbon, contributing to global climate change. Solid-fuel cooking is responsible for generating around 1.5-3.0% of global CO2 emissions.
To combat these challenges and transition towards cleaner cooking practices, initiatives like AMS-II.G are essential. This methodology focuses on introducing energy-efficient thermal energy generation units that utilize non-renewable biomass, such as high-efficiency biomass-fired cookstoves, ovens, or dryers. By promoting the replacement of inefficient devices or retrofitting existing units, AMS-II.G aims to achieve significant savings in non-renewable biomass consumption and, subsequently, substantial reductions in GHG emissions.
AMS-II.G provides a standardized and measurable framework for clean cooking projects, allowing for reliable estimation and verification of emission reductions. The Guardian AMS-II.G Policy offers a unique technical opportunity for companies to streamline, enhance robustness, and establish trust and transparency within their clean cookstove projects. The guidelines and equations provided in the methodology are incorporated into schemas featuring built-in auto-calculation blocks, emission factors, and data from modules like tool 33. The results of the data provided undergo immutable and transparent verification by third parties. Ultimately, the emissions are tokenized, elevating tracking, transparency, accounting, and reporting, with the data structured to comply with AMS-II.G reporting requirements.
Demo Video
Policy Workflow
Policy Guide
This policy is published to Hedera network and can either be imported via Github (.policy file) or IPSF timestamp.
Latest Version - 1706881318.979259003
Available Roles
Project Proponent - The project proponent is responsible for executing the emission reduction project. They develop and implement strategies to substitute fossil fuel-based lighting systems with LED/CFL lighting systems. The project proponent must adhere to the requirements outlined by the CDM and provide evidence of the emission reductions achieved. Upon successful verification, the project proponent receives certified emission reduction (CER) tokens as an incentive for their emission reductions.
Verification and Validation Body (VVB) - The VVB plays a critical role in independently verifying and validating the project data submitted by the project proponent. They thoroughly assess the project's emission reduction potential, methodologies, and adherence to the policy guidelines. Based on their evaluation, the VVB either approves or rejects the project for registration.
Designated National Authority (DNA) - The DNA is a governmental body representing the country where the emission reduction project is being implemented. They review and approve the project's eligibility in accordance with national policies and regulations. The DNA's endorsement is essential for the project to proceed with the AMS-III.AR policy.
Registry (UNFCCC) - The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) serves as the registry for the CDM. They oversee the multiple workflow steps involved in the project's approval, including the verification and validation process by the VVB and the endorsement by the DNA. The UNFCCC's approval is necessary for the project's successful registration and issuance of CER tokens
Important Documents & Schemas
Project Description - Project Proponent information, standard project information, methodology information, etc.
Emissions Reduction โ Schema included within the project information form; this is filled out by the project proponent to calculate annual emission reductions.
Default Values (Tool 33) - Tool 33 is included as a module within the policy. This module is used to calculate default values for common parameters like fNRB (Fraction of non-renewable biomass).
Monitoring Report โ The monitoring report is to be filled out based on the monitoring plan mentioned within the methodology.
Token (Carbon Emission Reduction)
Certified Emission Reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of CO2.
Step by Step
Log in as the Standard Registry and import the policy either by file or through IPFS timestamp by selecting the third button at the top right.
To start using the policy you first have to change the status of the policy from โDraftโ to โDry Runโ or โPublishโ, then select the โRegisterโ button.
Create a new user by clicking the โCreate Userโ button and assign their role as Project Participant.
The Project Participant can now provide their name or the name they would like to see reflect when registering for this project (i.e. their organizationโs name).
ะกreate a new user again and assign their role as VVB.
The VVB can now provide their name or the name they would like users to see when reviewing projects (i.e. their organizationโs name).
Log in as the SR and select the โApprove PPโ or the โApprove VVBโ tab to view the documents submitted by the Project Participant and by the VVB. The SR can approve their requests by clicking on the โApprove" button.
Log in as the Project Participant and create a new project by clicking on the "New Project" button. This form is used to collect information about the project, organization, and all the data needed to run the emission reduction calculations. Once all the required fields have been filled the โCreateโ button will turn dark blue. By selecting the โCreateโ button all the data will be sent to the SR for review/approval.
Log back in as the SR and after reviewing the document by selecting the โView Documentโ button, the SR can validate the project submitted by the Project Participant by clicking the โValidateโ button. If the data does not satisfy the rules set by the SR, then the โRejectโ button can be used.
Log in as the Project Participant and create a monitoring report by clicking on the โAdd Reportโ button then fill out the monitoring report form.
After creating the monitoring report, the project participant assigns the VVB to verify it by navigating to the โMonitoring Reportsโ tab and selecting the dropdown under โAssignโ.
Log in as the VVB and click the โMonitoring Reportsโ tab to review the document submitted by the Project Participant. After reviewing the monitoring report by selecting โView Documentโ, the VVB can select โVerifyโ.
Log in as the SR to review the monitoring report by selecting the โView Documentโ button in the โMonitoring Reportsโ tab. The SR can approve the monitoring report by selecting โApproveโ. This will also trigger the minting process. You can see the minting status under โStatusโ change from โMintingโ to โMintedโ.
Once the minting process is completed, you can view the token amount by selecting the โToken Historyโ tab.
The TrustChain can also be viewed by clicking on the โView TrustChainโ button. Please note that the token amount may show โ-1/83152โ when the tokens are still minting like the example provided below.
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