Baseline Emissions

Definition

Baseline Emissions is an estimate of GHG Emissions, removals, or storage associated with a Baseline Scenario.

Baseline emissions associated with primary effects are derived from either a GHG Baseline Scenario or a performance standard.

Baseline emissions associated with secondary effects will be linked to the project-specific baseline scenario. If the performance standard procedure is used, baseline emissions associated with secondary effects are inferred from baseline candidates or are estimated conservatively.

Baseline Estimation Procedures

Baseline procedures are methods used to estimate baseline emissions. The GHG Project Protocol describes two procedures:

• Project-specific procedure—This procedure produces an estimate of baseline emissions through the identification of a baseline scenario specific to the proposed project activity. The baseline scenario is identified through a structured analysis of the project activity and its alternatives. Baseline emissions are derived from the baseline scenario and are valid only for the project activity being examined.
• Performance standard procedure —This procedure produces an estimate of baseline emissions using a GHG emission rate derived from a numerical analysis of the GHG emission rates of all baseline candidates. A performance standard is sometimes referred to as a multi-project baseline or benchmark, because it can be used to estimate baseline emissions for multiple project activities of the same type. It serves the same

function as a baseline scenario, but avoids the need to identify an explicit baseline scenario for each project activity.

See Also

• Baseline Technology Candidates