Mali authorises carbon projects for Article 6

The government of Mali has authorised 11 mostly small-scale carbon mitigation projects under Article 6 of the Paris agreement, for which it is identifying buyers.

The projects could ensure greenhouse gas reductions or avoidance of over 10mn to of CO2 equivalent (CO2e), Argus calculations show (see table).

A third of the projects involve clean cooking activities and have lifespans ranging between 2014 and 2041. Most are authorised under Article 6.2, while some will use the more regulated approach under the UN's centralised Paris agreement carbon mechanism under Article 6.4.

Mali acts as both host and transferring party until an acquiring party is defined, the government said in its initial report on the authorisations submitted to the UN climate arm UNFCCC published this week.

A rural electrification programme running between 2016-26 will generate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions savings of 46,000 t of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) a year.

A solar energy project "for rural development", running during 2026-30, will save 10,239 t CO2e a year.

A small pilot project aiming to develop hydropower in combination with distributing clean cooking equipment, and using the Article 6.4 approach, will run between 2026-31 and generate annual savings of 1,352 t CO2e.

A sustainable energy programme will run from 2024-27 and generate annual emissions reductions of 179,008 t CO2e.

Four clean cooking projects with different focuses have also been authorised. A project supporting the promotion and dissemination of clean cooking equipment, and using the Article 6.4 approach, will run during 2026-30 and to generate annual emissions reductions of 210,000 t CO2e.

A second clean cooking project focuses on the production and distribution of clean cooking equipment. This project will also use the Article 6.4, approach and start in 2026, but has an unlimited lifespan. The project is expected to generate reductions of 150,000 t CO2e a year.

Two clean cooking projects will support the production and dissemination of Banco cookstoves manufactured by women in rural areas. The first Banco project uses the Article 6.2 approach and runs from 2014-35. The project aims to cut annual emissions by 101,700 t CO2e.

The second Banco project, to run under the Article 6.4 approach from 2026-41, is expected to generate annual savings of 179,008 t CO2e.

None of the clean cooking projects authorised under the Article 6.4 approach aim for any non-permanence provisions, as would be expected under the stricter rules of Article 6.4, the initial report shows.

Three projects focus on land use. A forestry and land-use project running from 2026-30, and using the Article 6.4 approach, aims to restore degraded land and undertake reforestation, to generate 406,684 t CO2e a year.

A forestry programme focused on developing and utilising non-timber forest products will run from 2026-30 and aims to achieve annual savings of 60,769 t CO2e. The project seeks to manage forest resources and strengthen carbon sinks in Mali.

An environmental programme aimed at restoring mining sites for biodiversity conservation will run under the Article 6.4 approach, between 2026-31. The programme is expected to generate annual emissions savings of 50,769 t CO2e.

By Chloe Jardine