Contributions of IKI projects to greenhouse gas mitigation 2015–2021

For the reporting year 2021 data on greenhouse gas mitigation from IKI projects were collected using two indicators: ongoing IKI projects that submitted an interim report before 2022 and which have not voluntarily switched over to the new standard indicators report using the old ‘Action Mitigation’ (AM) indicator. All new projects report using the ‘Standard indicator 1 – Mitigation’ (SI 1 – Mitigation).

 

‘AM’ definition: ‘GHG emission reduced or carbon stocks enhanced in project/program area (in tonnes of CO2 equivalent (t CO2eq))’

‘SI 1 – Mitigation’’ definition: ‘GHG emissions reduced or carbon stocks enhanced directly or indirectly by IKI project measures (t CO2eq))’

 

With the introduction of ‘SI 1 – Mitigation’, IKI now collects granular data on greenhouse gas mitigation at three levels. These levels now encompass not only direct mitigation but also indirect contributions to mitigation. On the indirect levels, it quantifies greenhouse gas emissions as a result of the technical support provided to climate change mitigation measures. It also captures whether IKI projects contributed to strengthening the potential for future mitigation in a country through policy advice on legislation, policies and strategies at national or subnational level. In the latter case, the IKI’s contribution to mitigation is not quantified in tonnes of CO2 equivalents, but in terms of the number of projects working in this subject area. While ambitious and realistic policies, legislation and strategies form the cornerstone of transitions to greenhouse gas neutrality, quantifiable mitigation depends on the degree and quality of implementation of the supported frameworks. This implementation usually occurs after IKI interventions and cannot be controlled or significantly influenced by the IKI projects

In the period 2015 to 2021, IKI projects reported a direct mitigation of 8.2 million tonnes CO2 equivalents. By way of comparison: the annual CO2 footprint per capita in Germany is 10.8 tonnes CO2 equivalent (Source: BMUV). Mitigation from IKI would therefore cover the annual emissions of 761,834 people in Germany – or virtually the entire population of Frankfurt (764,104). Compared with national figures, the IKI contribution is equivalent to annual emissions from Costa Rica or Paraguay.

Data still sparse for new indicator ‘SI 1 – Mitigation’

Mitigation effects on greenhouse gas emissions previously reported stem almost exclusively from reports using the ‘AM’ standard indicator. The majority of these relate to projects from the funding area ‘Preserving and restoring natural carbon sinks’. The highest target figures are set by projects from the funding area ‘Conservation of biodiversity’.

Plausible target and current values for the Standard Indicator Action Mitigation

Data source: IKI monitoring data 2015 to 2021

In total, 43 projects reported on the Standard Indicator Action Mitigation.

Only a small volume of data has been submitted for the new indicator ‘SI 1 – Mitigation’. In the first reporting year with the new standard indicator, only eight projects communicated plausible figures. Most submitted target figures but not any actual figures as yet.

Plausible target and current values for ‘SI 1 – Mitigation’ Direct mitigation

Data source: IKI monitoring data 2015 to 2021

In total, 5 projects reported on direct mitigation in the data on ‘SI 1 – Mitigation’.

 

Plausible target and actual values for ‘SI 1 – Mitigation’ Indirect mitigation

Data source: IKI monitoring data 2015 to 2021

In total, 5 projects reported on Indirect Mitigation in the data on ‘SI 1 – Mitigation’.

This is presumably because, on the one hand, climate change mitigation typically occurs only after several project years. Since ‘SI 1 – Mitigation’ was first introduced in the beginning of 2022, newer projects have only just started implementation. On the other hand, more mature IKI projects rarely switch over voluntarily to the new indicator and continue to report using ‘AM’.

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