VERs can be generated from projects which:

 

- are either based in a country that has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol (e.g. USA) or does not have the infrastructure to support CDM project development;

- have not yet been registered under the CDM;

- fall outside the scope of the CDM;

- are too small to warrant the costs of CDM approval;

- are specifically developed for the voluntary market.

 

Today a range of technologies exist which have the capabilities to produce clean energy, improve energy efficiency or reduce the impact that industry has on the environment. Despite the environmental benefits these technologies provide, they often require significant investment and expertise to implement, or may face obstacles to their implementation. For instance, such technologies may be new, have little or no track record, and thus could represent an added risk for the project proponents. For these reasons, innovative and clean technologies are often overlooked in favour of cheaper, less environmentally friendly options. However, if it can be proven that real emission reductions are achieved through the implementation of these technologies, then emission reduction can be claimed, and the sale of these credits can add an additional revenue stream and therefore push the project through to completion.

 

The voluntary carbon market can therefore help to overcome significant barriers faced by new technologies. For example, in a case where traditional project returns do not justify investment in cleaner technology from the project developer or a third party, future revenue from EcoSecurities through the sale of VERs can make technologies that reduce emissions a viable and attractive option.

The revenue from VERs generated by the project helps to:
- Create a more attractive investment case;
- Reduction of energy costs;
- Introduction of cleaner more efficient technology; and
- Reduction of impact on the environment 

EcoSecurities will work with you to develop a VER project and contract to buy the VERs produced, guaranteeing the carbon revenue over a set period of years. EcoSecurities will also assist the project developer in securing project finance, and in some cases, can also make an equity investment in the underlying asset.

EcoSecurities has experience in developing projects which use the following emission reduction technologies:
- Run-of-river hydroelectricity
- Wind power
- Solar power
- Biomass electricity generation
- Animal and agricultural methane destruction
- Landfill gas capture and utilisation
- Demand side energy efficiency technologies (solar water heaters, solar home systems, EE cooking stoves and small scale biodigestors)
- Coal mine methane utilisation
- Industrial gases and industrial energy efficiency

 

EcoSecurities is currently working with organisations which specialise in microfinance energy projects, such as E&CO and MEC, to generate VERs from small-scale clean energy projects all over the world.

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As developers of the first Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project registered under the Kyoto Protocol, EcoSecurities has extensive experience in taking an emission reduction project from the initial design to the creation of robust and saleable emission reduction credits.

EcoSecurities supports and oversees all aspects of project operations, working with project developers throughout the various stages, including initial assessment, full project documentation development, emission reduction stream quantification, and assistance with monitoring and verification of GHG reductions. 


For projects to be able to generate emission reductions, particular processes and procedures must be followed. These stages include a due diligence emission assessment to determine the feasibility of the project, a Project Design Document (PDD), a formal outline of the project and expected emission reductions, validation/ verification of this document by an independent body and where applicable the project’s credits are issued by a registry.

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In order to ensure that buyers of VERs are purchasing a real emission reduction, VERs must be developed and calculated according to a VER Standard. There are several VER standards currently being used throughout the world, and each sets out different rules governing the project types that are acceptable and the measurements of emission reductions.

Standards are important because they provide assurance for buyers of VERs. Because buyers generally pay more for VERs verified to stricter standards, each GHG emissions reduction project has the incentive to strive towards meeting the highest quality standards. Different standards can be applied to different projects and EcoSecurities seeks to verify each project to the strictest standard available to that project type and sector.

EcoSecurities is currently using the following standards to develop VER projects: 
Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) 

Gold Standard for Voluntary Carbon Offsets 
 VER + 
California Climate Action Registry (CCAR)