Barrier analysis

Definition

Barrier analysis forms one of the five stages required to identify the baseline scenario and demonstrate the additionality of a proposed CDM project. The combined tool can only be applied to methodologies for which the potential alternative scenarios to the proposed project activity available to project proponents cannot be implemented in parallel to the proposed CDM project activity. A combined tool specifically for A/R projects was agreed at EB35. 

REDD+ relevance

Barrier analysis involves identifying project barriers and assessing which alternative scenarios are prevented by these barriers. Barriers include technological barriers (lack of infrastructure, skilled workforce, risk of technological failure, absence of technology in host country), investment barriers (similar activities have only been implemented with grants and other non-commercial means, no private capital available), prevailing practice barriers (the project is the “first-of-it-a-kind), traditional barriers (laws, customer, lack of traditional knowledge), ecological barriers (e.g. catastrophic natural and / or human-induced events, unfavourable meteorological conditions), barriers due to social conditions and barriers relating to land tenure, ownership, inheritance, and property rights (CDM rulebook).

The outcome of the barrier analysis determines whether the project is additional or whether further analysis needs to be carried out (e.g. common practice analysis, investment analysis).

In contrast to large-scale non-forestry projects for which the applicability of the combined tool is restricted, the A/R combined tool may become the standard means of identifying the baseline scenario for, and demonstrating the additionality of, A/R CDM projects (CDM rulebook).

References

CDM RULEBOOK. No date. Forestry > Baselines and Additionality > Combined baseline selection and additionality tool for A/R projects. Available here. [Accessed November 2013]