TERO.002 - APD Methodology
This methodology provides the technical guidelines for projects that aim to mitigate GHG emissions by avoiding the legal suppression of native vegetation in Multiple-Use Areas (MUA). It was designed to value the decision to keep the forest standing, generating high-integrity Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) aligned with international standards and Brazilian market requirements.
Why use TERO.002 – APD?
Prevention-Focused
Recognizes proactive conservation efforts by valuing the voluntary renunciation of the legal right to deforest as a measurable and additional climate benefit.
Market Alignment
Built upon the principles of ICROA and CORSIA, and prepared for alignment with the Brazilian Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading System (SBCE), ensuring the credibility of the generated assets.
Innovative Permanence Guarantee
Uses Fractional Issuance (FI) as the standard mechanism to mitigate non-permanence risk, aligning credit issuance with the project’s ongoing conservation commitment.
Sua Iniciativa é Elegível?
This methodology applies to projects that demonstrate the legal prerogative to convert native vegetation within the Multiple-Use Area (MUA) and meet the following criteria:
✅ Land Tenure Compliance: The project is located on rural properties with verified land tenure regularity, and the APD activity occurs exclusively within the MUA.
✅ Generates Positive Socio-Environmental Impacts: Demonstrates at least two additional socio-environmental co-benefits beyond emission reductions.
✅ Respects Safeguards: Fully complies with the requirements of the Socio-Environmental Safeguards Analysis Tool (FR.CER.002).
✅ Is Voluntary: The decision not to deforest is not the result of legal requirements, court orders, or Conduct Adjustment Terms (TACs).
✅ Is Aligned with the SBCE: If seeking future recognition within the regulated market, complies with the Procedure for Communication of Non-Participation in Jurisdictional REDD+ Schemes (DC.CER.004).
Applying the Methodology
Your journey from project conception to credit generation follows a structured process. Each stage requires the use of specific Tero Program tools to ensure accuracy and auditability.
Step 1: Additionality and Baseline
In this stage, you demonstrate that your project is additional compared to the most likely scenario (vegetation suppression in the MUA) and calculate the emissions that will be reduced or avoided.
- Additionality: Demonstrate that the project is additional using the Project Additionality Demonstration Tool (FR.CER.003).
- Baseline: Calculate avoided emissions according to the equations and procedures detailed in Section 3.4 of this methodology.
Step 2: Leakage and Non-Permanence Risk
It is mandatory to assess both the risk of emission displacement outside the project area and the risk that the no-deforestation commitment could be reversed in the future.
- Leakage: Assess and quantify the leakage risk using the Leakage Assessment and Management Tool for NBS VCU Projects (FR.CER.005).
- Non-Permanence Risk (NPR): Use the Non-Permanence Risk Analysis and Guarantee Mechanism Tool (FR.CER.004) to assess the NPR and apply the Fractional Issuance (FI) mechanism.
Step 3: Monitoring and Reporting
Continuous monitoring forms the basis for periodic verifications. The Monitoring Plan must be detailed within your Project Design Document (PDD).
- Carbon Stocks: Monitor the maintenance of forest cover in the MUA using the Technical Guidelines for Carbon Quantification in AFOLU Projects (DC.CER.003).
- Safeguards and Compliance: Track co-benefit indicators and land tenure regularity according to FR.CER.002 and DC.CER.002, respectively.
Essential Documentation: TERO.002 – APD
Here you will find the main methodology document and the templates directly associated with its application.
Main Document
TERO.002 – APD, V2.1 (PT) (EN)
The complete document containing all guidelines, equations, and procedures for Avoided Planned Deforestation projects.
Developed by:
Hdom Engenharia e Projetos Ambientais Ltda
(hdom@hdom.com.br)
Related Templates
- TP.CER.004 – Zero Deforestation Declaration
- TP.CER.005 – Leakage Risk Assessment and Negligibility Justification Form for Small-Scale NBS VCU Projects
- TP.CER.006 – Communication of Non-Participation in Jurisdictional REDD+ Scheme and Request for Exclusion
Revision History
To ensure full transparency, a public record of all previous versions of this methodology is maintained.
Version 2.0 (Date: 04/02/2025)
Commitment to Transparency and Civil Society Participation
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