Approximation of baselines and greenhouse gas reduction scenarios for a small-scale Clean Development Mechanism on agriculture and livestock in ASEAN

Abstract

The baselines for greenhouse gas (GHG) and greenhouse gas reduction scenarios were approximated in Thailand so that a small-scale Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) could be introduced into other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. In developing countries, a CDM is defined as the certified emission reduction from a baseline of any project (i.e. by applying new technologies) that could be exchanged for credits, and this credit of certified emission reductions could be acquired by Japan and ASEAN countries. Small-scale CDMs are project activities that reduce anthropogenic emissions and directly emit less than 15 kt of carbon dioxide-equivalents annually. For the success of CDM projects, baseline methodologies are allowed to apply to the United Nations CDM Executive Board. Baseline methodologies use a baseline scenario, which compares the baseline without any project to a case with an emission reduction project. After commencement of a project, reduction of GHG emissions from the baseline by the emission’s reduction project could be exchanged for credit. Therefore, GHG emission from the broiler industry in Thailand was calculated by the Tier 1 method and defaults data in accordance with 2006 IPCC guidelines. The baseline for the waste management system in the broiler industry is defined as drying without energy. Three types of projects on waste management systems the broiler industry were compared: (i) incineration, (ii) drying without energy input and (iii) drying with energy input. Products of these systems are finally used as compost on agricultural fields. The baseline for the manure drying without energy input system was approximated. This baseline was compared with the manure incineration system and the drying with energy input system. GHG emissions produced by adoption of drying broiler manure with energy input could be reduced by ~57% by drying broiler manure without energy input. This reduction in GHG (57%) could be credited to a small-scale CDM when operational. In the future, measurement of GHG on broiler production farms in Thailand should be considered, because estimation with the Tier 1 method, as performed in this study, may not be rigorous enough to be accepted by the CDM Executive Board. After compiling GHG inventories, baseline emissions would be known for the broiler industry in Thailand and other countries in ASEAN. These could then be used to advance CDM.