ANNOUNCEMENTS
The role of Carbon offsetting, a procedure that allows individuals and entities to take accountability for their own greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by enabling projects aimed at reducing an equivalent amount of CO2 or other GHGs from the environment as a key strategy in the mitigation of the climate change phenomenon is elicited in this report. It focuses on the validation process of a project in pipeline under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). The report entails the process and outcomes of a carbon offset project validation by a Designated Operational Entity (DOE) highlighting the importance of third party GHG auditors in ensuring the credibility, transparency and accountability of offset projects. The carbon offset project located in Bekmezci, Turkey and listed as a VERRA pipeline project, involves renewable energy generation through the capture of GHGs, primarily methane from livestock farms, subjecting it to the process of anaerobic digestion in cogeneration units to produce thermal and electrical energy. The Project Activity was thoroughly validated following a detailed protocol, including an examination of the project description document, estimated emission reduction sheet, the applied methodology, baseline scenario and the monitoring protocols in order to assess it’s adherence to the recognised VCS standards and guidelines. The emission reduction potential of the project activity was assessed through a comprehensive check of the emission reduction sheet that quantified the amount of greenhouse gas emissions mitigated by the project. Factors such as baseline emissions, project emissions, leakage emissions were identified independently and objectively to determine the project activity instance’s contribution to climate change mitigation. The environmental impacts, sustainable development co-benefits and additionality of the project were studied to determine its feasibility. A document containing a comprehensive list of findings from the assessment/desk review was prepared and sent to the designated operational entity, or the project proponent. Post receiving a response of the findings and an updated project description document along with the Ex-Ante emission reduction sheet, a second round of assessment was performed to review if the project activity appropriately falls within the set VCS guidelines and criteria. Finally, a validation opinion was published requesting the concerned registry to issue carbon credits to the Project Activity. Thus, the report contributes to the understanding of carbon offsetting in climate change alleviation. It sheds light on the significance of GHG auditors in ensuring the integrity of offset projects and provides a comprehensive evaluation of a landfill gas to electricity project's validation process in order to make it eligible for the process of obtaining carbon credits, exploring the potential of such projects to achieve significant emission reductions and promote sustainable development.
Key words – Carbon offsetting, Emission Reduction, GHG, Climate Change, Validation.
