Brazil Hog Methane Capture & Combustion

Project Location: Brazil
Commercial On-line Date (COD): 2005 to 2007
Annual Emission Reduction: Approximately 70,000 tons

Project site:

There are 16 projects representing approximately 80 swine confined animal feeding operations (CAFO). The purpose of the projects is to mitigate and recover animal related effluent greenhouse gases by improving Animal Waste Management System (AWMS) projects. Projects are located in multiple regions throughout the country.

Additionality:

• The CAFO are not required to reduce their carbon emissions. The motivation for these projects is driven by the Kyoto Clean Development Mechanism.
• The sale of VERs generates additional revenue for the projects that enables investment in the installation and ongoing operation of bioreactors that assure “best practices” in AWMS for CAFO.
• The project has been verified using the CDM “Tool for the demonstration and assessment of additionality”.
  

Co-Benefits:

Because of the practices employed by farmers, the design, location, and management of livestock operations are critical components in ensuring an adequate level of protection of human health and the environment.

• Improves air quality and sets the stage for future on-farm projects that will have an additional positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions with a potential for reducing groundwater contamination problems.
• Increases local employment of skilled labour for the fabrication, installation, operation and maintenance of the specialized equipment.
• Establishes a model for world-class, scalable animal waste management practices, which can be duplicated on other CAFO livestock farms throughout Brazil, dramatically reducing livestock related greenhouse gases and providing the potential for a new source of revenue and green power.

Emissions Reduction Calculation:

The emission reductions for these projects are measured directly using the methane recovery protocol (AMS-III.D.) of the UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The VERs are calculated based on the amount of methane that would have been emitted into the atmosphere absent of the project activity of capturing and destroying the methane. The methodology is a complete approach accounting for the life cycle of the substrate and the processes of capture and destruction.

Emissions Reduction Verification:

UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism. All projects are registered CDM projects and verified in accordance with the stated protocol. VERs sold through the Green-e Climate program will be registered with the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS). Der Norst Veritas (DNV) is the verifier.