UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Designated Operational Entity (DOE)
Scope
GHD Limited (GHD) is accredited under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as a Designated Operational Entity (DOE) to perform validation and verification auditing activities under the UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). View our certificate of authorization.
The UNFCCC and other related programs were notified accordingly. The name change process within each Program has been completed and caused no disruption to services.
The sectors for which GHD is accredited include:
- Chemical industries
- Energy industries (renewable/non-renewable sources)
- Fugitive emissions from fuels (solid, oil, and gas)
- Manufacturing industries
- Metal production
- Mining/mineral production
- Solvent use
- Waste handling and disposal
Background
The Kyoto Protocol was established in 1997 as the first legally binding international agreement to encourage worldwide mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, signatory countries (Parties) are required to reduce their GHG emissions to a predetermined level between 2008 and 2012.
To assist Parties in meeting their emission reduction commitments, the UNFCCC has developed three mechanisms: the CDM, Joint Implementation (JI), and Emissions Trading (ET). These mechanisms allow countries to meet their emission reduction targets through cost-effective measures.
Under the three UNFCCC mechanisms, the GHG project must first be validated and registered, then reduced emission credits must be verified and certified by a third-party verifier. For UNFCCC CDM projects, a third-party verifier must be approved as a DOE. Associated with the reduction of GHG emissions is the creation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) credits. These credits represent a commodity that can be traded in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol. As a result, conducting audits for the validation/registration and verification/certification of projects relating to the reduction of anthropogenic emissions from sources of GHG has become extremely important.
In accordance with the Modalities and Procedures (M&P) for the UNFCCC CDM Registry, eligible GHG emission reduction projects are to be evaluated by DOEs.
GHD's Roles and Responsibilities as a DOE
As an accredited DOE, GHD has two key roles/responsibilities: validate and request registration of a proposed CDM project activity, and verify emission reductions of a registered CDM project activity for issuance of Certified Emission Reductions accordingly.
To meet the requirements of a DOE, as specified by the CDM Accreditation Standard for Operational Entities (CDM Accreditation Standard) and the CDM M&P, GHD has organized the Greenhouse Gas Assurance Services (GGAS) Group to manage CDM projects.
In accordance with Section 27 (f) of the Annex to the CDM M&P, GHD maintains several publicly available documents and lists:
- A list of all CDM project activities for which it has carried out validation, verification, and certification
- Project design documents, in accordance with provisions on confidentiality, for those projects on which GHD is conducting validation audits
- Comments received (within a 30 day posting period) on the validation requirements for a project from Parties, stakeholders, and UNFCCC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
Any comments or complaints received from Parties, project stakeholders, and UNFCCC-accredited NGOs should be forwarded to GHD's GGAS Manager. Download GHD's procedures for handling complaints, disputes, and appeals, or contact GHD's GGAS Manager.
For the allocation of responsibilities for GHD’s CDM DOE Accreditation, please see here.
GHD's Commitment to Impartial and Transparent Operations
GHD is committed to conducting its CDM validation and verification services in an impartial and transparent manner, free of conflicts of interest. To this end, GHD conducts internal reviews to prevent acceptance of any engagement that may create a threat to impartiality or a potential or actual conflict of interest. GHD encourages feedback from any Party, client, stakeholder or the public regarding any matter that may be construed as threat to GHD's impartiality in provision of its services. Please contact the GGAS Manager or the GGAS Principal regarding any questions or comments.