An abatement project that is in the early stages of development can apply for accreditation as a ‘Future Project’. This status of accreditation acknowledges that the proposed project is compliant with the relevant Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme (GGAS) Rule and if implemented as described in the application form, will be eligible to create abatement certificates.

Future project accreditation is available for the Demand Side Abatement Rule and the Generation Rule. There is a specific application form for future project accreditation, and a unique attachment for each of the applicable GGAS Rules.

Future project application process

The application process for accreditation as a future project is similar to applying as an existing project under any of the GGAS Rules. The key difference is the review of the accreditation once the project is implemented. Figure 1 depicts the two stage process whereby a project firstly obtains future project accreditation and then, once implemented, the accreditation is amended to reflect its operational status.

Figure 1: Phases of a future project to existing project accreditation process

The future project application criteria are similar to an existing project; the applicant needs to demonstrate the appropriate GGAS Rule and the proposed NSW Greenhouse Abatement Certificate (NGAC) calculation methodology. A requirement that distinguishes the application for a future project from that of an existing project is the requirement to submit a project management plan. As the project is not yet implemented, the Scheme Administrator requires evidence that the applicant has appropriate management arrangements to manage the project and its implementation. A future project accreditation does not allow the accredited party to create NGACs and typically requires the accredited party to report milestones as the project progresses towards implementation.

Creating abatement certificates following implementation of the project

Once the future project is implemented and operational, the Scheme Administrator is formally notified by the participant. This notification is the opportunity to present to the Scheme Administrator any differences between the project as described in the original application form and the project as implemented. Depending on the subsequent details provided on the implemented project, the Scheme Administrator will determine if the project is still eligible under the Scheme Rules. At this point (Phase 5 in Figure 1), the Scheme Administrator may require components of the project to be audited. Once the Scheme Administrator is confident that the implemented project remains eligible, new conditions of accreditation will be issued that allow the accredited party to create abatement certificates.

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