What is a baseline?

A baseline (or 'baseline scenario') is a hypothetical reference case, representing the volume of greenhouse gases that would have been emitted if a Programme of Activities (PoA) or CDM Programme Activity (CPA) were not implemented.  Therefore, the baseline can be used to determine:

• whether a CPA is additional; and
• the volume of additional greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved by the CPA.

A baseline must be established for the PoA and all CPAs within the PoA.

The Programme of Activities Design Document (CDM-PoA-DD) (and corresponding design documents for other PoA types) must include a justification of the choice of an approved baseline methodology and an application of this methodology to determine the baseline (EB 32, Annex 39, paragraph 2(f)).

The CDM Programme Activity Design Document (CDM-CPA-DD) must also include a calculation of the baseline emissions for the particular CPA within the PoA (EB 32, Annex 39, paragraph 4(d)(iii)).