Sweden enlists climate certifier for Article 6

The Swedish Energy Agency has entered into a partnership with climate standard certifier Gold Standard in the context of its international climate co-operation activities under Article 6 of the Paris climate agreement.

Sweden has partnered with non-governmental organisation-founded Gold Standard to "facilitate the Swedish government's acquisition of quality Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs)", in what the certifier said is a first agreement of its kind.

Article 6 of the Paris agreement is designed to enable voluntary international co-operation on climate action, including through the trading of emissions reductions — known as ITMOs — between countries.

Sweden will apply Gold Standard rules and use the certifier's framework and infrastructure for its Article 6 activities under the partnership.

"This is expected to reduce transaction costs, increase certainty over supply for the government, reduce risk for project developers and give independent assurance to all stakeholders that rigorous requirements are in place to ensure integrity and quality," the agency said.

The Swedish Energy Agency last week launched a second public procurement process for projects designed to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions that are compatible with Article 6, targeting activities located in Ghana.

Its first public procurement process for Article 6-compatible mitigation projects in the Dominican Republic opened last month.

By Victoria Hatherick