Summary of the 15th meeting of the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body (SBM 015)
11-14 February 2025
Thimphu, Bhutan
The 15th meeting of the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body (SBM 015) was held in Thimphu, Bhutan from February 11-14, 2025. During the SBM 015, the Supervisory Body discussed the workplans for 2025 and further work on standards and procedures relating to methodology, the Article 6.4 mechanism registry, CDM transition, as well as making key decisions towards full operation of the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM). The key outcomes are summarized below:
Key outcomes
- Setting the direction of travel for 2025: With the adoption of methodology standard and standard for activities involving removal and the endorsement during COP 29, the Supervisory Body agreed to prioritize the completion of the remaining elements of guidance to ensure the successful operation of the mechanism and approved the 2025 workplans of the Supervisory Body, the Accreditation Expert Panel (AEP), and the Methodological Expert Panel (MEP). as well as elections of chairs for the respective bodies and selection of members for the MEP.
- Updating standards and procedures following COP 29 outcome: The Supervisory Body revised the CDM activities transition standard and procedure providing the basis for transition of CDM Afforestation/Reforestation (A/R) projects, noting that full implementation depends on the availability of applicable methodologies, as well as revising the activity cycle procedure to provide procedural background for operationalizing authorization process and exemption of Article 6.4 activities hosted in the LDCs and SIDS.
- Advancing methodology standards: The Supervisory Body adopted the demonstration of additionality standard and requested the MEP to initiate works on the tools for common practice analysis and lock-in risk analysis. The Supervisory Body also provided further guidance to the MEP on the proposed baseline standard, including on downward adjustments, alignment with Paris temperature goal, and best available technologies.
- Launch of interim Article 6.4 mechanism registry: The Supervisory Body agreed to launch the interim mechanism registry and requested the secretariat to prepare user guidance. The Supervisory Body also adopted the Article 6.4 mechanism registry procedure and agreed to proceed and work on related operational matters.
- First DOE accreditation and CDM transition approval: The Supervisory Body accredited the first Designated Operational Entity (DOE) “Carbon Check (India) Private Limited” for validation and verification of the Article 6.4 activities within the defined sectoral scopes. The Supervisory Body also approved the CDM transition request for the PoA “Clean Energy Program Supported by Republic of Korea”.
Ongoing work of A6IP Center
- A6IP Center welcomes the outcome of the SBM 015 for the full operation of PACM, especially the first designation of the 6.4 DOE and the first CDM transition project (Programme of activities) being approved and look forward to supporting implementing the PACM with our partners.
- Since the beginning of 2025, A6IP Center continues to support partner countries in building understanding and readiness for Article 6.4 implementation. Recent activities include organizing the 2nd methodology workshop with Thailand on February, together with Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting (MURC) and MoEJ, to share and exchange about the methodology standards of Article 6.4 and promote alignment of the national crediting program with emerging international practices, as well as the 2nd Technical Workshop on Article 6 Implementation for Lao PDR during January 13-14, 2025 in collaboration with the UNFCCC RCC Asia and the Pacific. The workshop builds Article 6 readiness of Lao PDR, including on Article 6.4 host party responsibilities and CDM transition.
- As part of the key areas of cooperation under the Partnership MoU between IGES/A6IP and the UNFCCC Secretariat announced during COP 29, A6IP will continue to work closely with the UNFCCC Secretariat to strengthen capacity building and knowledge sharing on Article 6.4 participation and methodology works.
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