EUKI Academy Web Seminar: Estimating Your Project’s Emission Reductions

Improved, more precise concepts for reducing and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions reductions can increase the impact of your project and its visibility. You will learn what methodologies exist and how you can apply them to your project and project ideas.

Key Topics

• Methods for calculating and estimating emission reductions
• Quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas savings
• Utilising Climate Impact Assessments and other evaluation models

Speakers

• Stefan Wehner, greenwerk
• Sven Feige, Perspectives Climate Group

Language

The language of this seminar is English.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Estimating Emission Reductions for EUKI Project Outlines

1. What are EUKI requirements regarding GHG emissions reductions when submitting a project outline?

At the first stage of the EUKI selection procedure, a fully developed emission reduction concept is not required. However, applicants must demonstrate that they have considered the project’s potential impact on GHG emissions, either directly or indirectly.

A narrative explanation is sufficient for indirect reductions, as long as it is transparent and based on plausible assumptions. Direct reductions should be estimated quantitatively, wherever possible.

2. Are projects expected to reach a certain quota of emissions reduction by the end of the project?

No, there are no fixed target values or percentage thresholds that must be achieved. The key requirement is to show a plausible contribution to emission reductions and provide a transparent methodology for estimating them.

3. Within what timeframe should indirect emission reductions be achieved and monitored? What about long-term indirect effects?

The primary focus is on reductions during the project duration. Long-term indirect reductions that occur beyond the project timeframe can be mentioned and estimated but should be clearly distinguished from those achieved during implementation.

4. Are GHG removal projects (e.g., afforestation, peatland preservation) and emission reduction rated equally within EUKI?

Both approaches are eligible. Projects that reduce emissions and those that enhance carbon sequestration (e.g., reforestation, peatland conservation) are considered valuable, so long as they demonstrate potential contributions to climate change mitigation.

The IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories provide default soil carbon sequestration rates and emissions factors based on soil type, land use, and climate conditions. In addition, some sectoral tool may provide relevant factors, such as the Environmental eXternalities ACcounting Tool (EX-ACT, covering the entire agricultural sector including Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) inland and coastal wetlands, fisheries and aquaculture, agricultural inputs and infrastructure).

5. How do we calculate avoided GHG emissions by preventing climate-damaging projects and policies?

Avoided emissions can be estimated by identifying the likely baseline scenario—i.e., what would have happened without the intervention. The difference between emissions under this scenario and the expected emissions after policy changes or project actions determines the avoided emissions.

6. How can we estimate GHG reductions for awareness-raising, education and capacity-building projects?

These projects generally could lead to indirect emission reductions. A plausible methodology should outline how trained individuals or influenced policies may lead to emission reductions. Conservative assumptions about the adoption rate of new practices or policies should be made, and transparency in methodology is key.

A range-based approach is acceptable: Estimate minimum and maximum likely adoption scenarios. Justify your assumptions based on comparable studies or expert opinions. Focus on demonstrating the potential pathways to reductions rather than providing exact figures.

7. How should CO₂e compensation for flights be calculated and included in the budget?

In general, emission reductions achieved through project management activities are typically not included when calculating the emission reductions at the project’s outcome level.

GHG emissions caused by flights necessary for the project implementation do not need to be considered in the first phase of the selection procedure. Selected projects will have to include GHG compensation during the second phase of the selection procedure according to GIZ guidelines.