Role of the DOE

DOEs are engaged to validate afforestation and reforestation (A/R )project activities. To carry out the validation, the DOE must verify that the project meets certain basic eligibility requirements, consult with stakeholders, and finally provide a request for registration to the Executive Board in the form of a validation report that attaches the project design document (PDD).

5/CMP.1, Annex, paragraph 15 sets out the role of the DOE for A/R projects in detail:

The DOE shall:

1. Prior to the submission of the validation report to the Executive Board, have received from the project participants written approval of voluntary participation from the designated national authority of each Party involved, including confirmation by the host Party that the proposed afforestation or reforestation project activity under the CDM assists it in achieving sustainable development;
2. In accordance with provisions on confidentiality contained in paragraph 27 (h) of the annex to decision 17/CP.7, make the project design document publicly available;
3. Receive, within 45 days, comments on the validation requirements from Parties, stakeholders and UNFCCC accredited non-governmental organizations and make them publicly available;
4. After the deadline for receipt of comments, make a determination as to whether, on the basis of the information provided and taking into account the comments received, the proposed afforestation or reforestation project activity under the CDM should be validated;
5. Inform project participants of its determination on the validation of the project activity. The notification to the project participants will include a confirmation of validation and the date of submission of the validation report to the Executive Board, or an explanation of reasons for non-acceptance if the proposed afforestation or reforestation project activity under the CDM, as documented, is judged not to fulfil the requirements for validation;
6. Submit to the Executive Board, if it determines the proposed afforestation or reforestation project activity under the CDM to be valid, a request for registration in the form of a validation report including the project design document, the written approval of voluntary participation from the designated national authority of each Party involved, as referred to in paragraph 15 (a) above, and an explanation of how it has taken due account of comments received;
7. Make this validation report publicly available upon transmission to the Executive Board. (5/CMP.1, Annex, paragraph 15).