AWMS Methane Recovery Project BR07-S-34, Bahia, Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais, and Sao Paulo, Brazil

Audit Analysis

A CDM anaerobic wastewater methane-avoidance project in Brazil with VVB-confirmed additionality but significant data gaps, a project-specific modeled baseline, and a first monitoring period delivering only about 55% of the pro-rata expectation. Several material findings and corrective actions raise concerns about monitoring reliability and PDD transparency, while the leakage treatment is inconsistent across documents.

Project Description

Red Flags

• ⚠Material finding in the validation report raises concerns about reliable monitoring using appropriate equipment and qualified employees at sub-project sites
• ⚠Leakage treatment is contradictory: the monitoring report (2010) states leakage was not addressed, while the validation report (2011) deems it negligible — no quantified deduction is documented
• ⚠First monitoring period verified reductions (8,320 tCO2e) represent only ~55% of the pro-rata expectation (~15,100 tCO2e) for the elapsed period, with sites not yet implemented assumed at zero
• ⚠Four corrective actions were required, including calibration and sealing of flow meters and reconciliation of animal head counts with farm system data

Credit Vintages