Verification Report Loru Forest Project The Nakau ... · Area, 20 Sept 2015 27. Climate Change and REDD+ Education Manual 2012 28. Agreement for Serthiac Board to Sign Loru PES Agreement,

VerificationReport

LoruForestProject

TheNakauProgramme

PreparedbyDr.NoimUddin

April26th,2017(MonitoringPeriod:16January2015to15January2017)

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Name of Reviewer: Dr Noim Uddin, Senior Consultant, Climate Policy and Markets Advisory(CPMA)InternationalAB

DateofReview:

InitialdeskreviewJan2017;Fieldsitevisit25Jan2017;VerificationandReporting1-7March2017

ProjectName:LoruForestProject

AnavoideddeforestationprojectatLoru,SantoVanuatuundertheNakauProgram:AnIndigenousForestConservationProgramThroughPaymentsforEcosystemServices

ProjectDescription:

TheLoruForestProject(witheligibleforestareaof165.6hamadeupof1landparcels)inLuganville,SantoofVanuatuemploysthelegalinstrumentofaCommunityConservationAreatoprotectthetallcoastal rainforestwithin theprojectboundary.Theproject seeks tomanage thearea through theimplementationoftheLoruAreaManagementPlan,whichincludestheremovalofcattlefromtheareawhilealsoseekingtoreducetheimpactofinvasiveweedswithinProjectArea.Theprojectwillestablishatreenurserywiththelocalclantogeneraterevenueandtopromoteforestconservationandtheplantingofproductivetreespecies.

Theprojectisdividedintothreemanagementzones:

• ZoneA–AvoidedDeforestationwheresecondary forest is toberehabilitatedthroughtheremoval of cattle and through the agreement not to clear the area for gardens or copraduringtheprojectperiod.

• Zone B – Enhanced Forest Regenerationwhere the thicket is to beweeded of aggressiveherbaceousvinesandmanagedsustainablytoenhancenaturalregeneration.

• ZoneC–AgroforestryNon-Forestlandcurrentlyinfestedwithinvasivevines.

NocarbonrevenuesfromZoneBandZoneCwillbegenerated.Nevertheless, incomeforthelocalcommunitywillbegeneratedfromZoneCandfromtherehabilitationofdegradedareasunderZoneB.

TheLoruForestProjectaimstoprotecttheLorucoastalrainforest(oneofthelaststandsoflowlandrainforest on the East Coast of Espiritu Santo) from deforestation and forest degradation. Theproject also aims to provide livelihood benefits for the Serakar Clan (landowners). The projectfurtheraimstoprovidetraining innutprocessingforwomen inthewholeKholecommunityasanadditionalincomesourcesthatreliesdirectlyonforestprotection.

ListofDocumentsReviewed:

1. Loru Forest Project – Project Description (PD) Part A: General Description (D3.2a v1.0,20151009)

2. Loru Forest Project – Project Descriptions (PD) Part B: PES Accounting (D3.2b v1.0,

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20151009)3. Technical Specifications Module: (C) AD-DtPF: Avoided Deforestation – Deforestation to

ProtectedForestV.10fortheNakauProgram(D2.2.1V1.0,20150815)4. Nakau Methodology Framework: General Methodology for the Nakau Program – An

Indigenous Forest Conservation Program Through Payments for Ecosystem Services (D2.1v1.0,20140428)

5. LoruForestProject–PESAgreement(D1.3v1.0,20151009)6. Loru Forest Project – Project Coordinator License Agreement between Live & Learn

EnvironmentalEducationVanuatuandtheNakauProgramPtyLtd(D1.4v1.0,20151009)7. Loru Forest Project – Program Agreement between the Nakau Program Operator and

SerthiacBusiness(D1.2v1.0,20151009)8. Project Development Agreement between Live & Learn Vanuatu and Serakar Family of

Khole,EspirituSanto(16January2013)9. Certificate of Incorporation of Committee of a Charitable Association, Live & Learn

Environmental Education Society Association, Vanuatu Financial Services Commission,RepublicofVanuatu,17April2001

10. CommunityConservationAreaRegistration(CCA)Notice–LoruProtectedArea16Nov2015(viaemailnotification)

11. DraftSaleandPurchaseAgreement12. LoruProtectedAreaManagementPlan,201513. LoruConservationArea–EducationProgramReport14. LoruCarbonBudgetandPricing15. LoruForestInventory16. SerthiacBusinessPlan17. LoruPIN(D3.3v1.0,20140606)18. Ser-Thiac Business Name Registration Certificate, Vanuatu Financial Services Commission

(RegistrationNo.013450,dated07Aug2014)19. Live&LearnEnvironmentalEducationFinanceManual201420. Live&LearnEnvironmentalEducationGoodPracticeManual201021. Live&LearnEnvironmentalEducationRecruitmentPolicy22. Annual Audit Report, Live & Learn Environmental Education Society Committee (Inc)

VanuatuFinanceStatement30June201423. Memorandum of Understanding between Live & Learn Environmental Education (LLEE

Vanuatu)andtheVanuatuDepartmentofForests(2012)24. Memorandum of Understanding between Live & Learn Environmental Education (LLEE

Vanuatu)andSanmaProvincialGovernment25. Live&LearnEnvironmentalEducationVanuatu,FieldTripReports(July,Aug,Sept,Oct2014)26. Mandate forManagement of Loru ProtectedArea, Custom Landowners of Loru Protected

Area,20Sept201527. ClimateChangeandREDD+EducationManual201228. Agreement for Serthiac Board to Sign Loru PES Agreement, Custom Landowners of Loru

ProtectedArea,13Nov201529. PESAgreementandProgramAgreementParticipationReport,13Nov201530. AgreementforSerthiacBoardtoSignLoruPESAgreementandLoruProgramAgreement,12

Nov201531. Acceptanceof LoruForestProjectPDPartAD3.2av1.020151009andLoruForestProject

PartBD3.2bv1.020151009,13Nov201532. PDSummaryReportSigned33. NakauProgramManagementReport201334. ProjectOwnerEntityParticipationReport,LoruForestProject,Nov201435. NakauSalesRegister

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36. NationalForestAct200137. ShareholderAgreementtoConductaSocialEnterprise,TheNakauProgramPtyLtdandthe

Shareholders(Live&LearnandEkos),201538. DonnaKalfatak,LoruProtectedAreaRapidBiodiversityAssessmentReport,17-18Nov201439. KholeAgroforestryPlotDesign,Live&LearnCommunityREDD+Project(draft)40. PhilemonAla, LoruConservationAreaTerrestrialBiodiversityAssessmentReport forREDD

ProjectofLive&Learn16-19Nov201441. LoruForestProject–MonitoringReport1-1bD3.3(1)v1.02017022842. LoruLivelihoodImpactMonitoringGuideandMethodologyforSocioeconomicBaseline43. LoruForestProject,ProtectedAreaBoundaryCoordinates44. PlanVivoFoundation,ValidationofMethodologyElementsof theNakauProgram21April

201545. VCSMonitoringReportTemplate46. Director’sCertificate–Monitoring12Dec201547. Memo dated 12 Aug 2015, Proposed Audi Procedure (from Sean Weaver and Robbie

HendersonofNakauProgramtoEvaSchoofandChrisStephensonofPlanVivo)48. LoruProtectedAreaBoundaryMarking201449. Contract Amendment, Amendment to Loru Project PES Agreement D1.3 v0.1, 20151009,

dated25Jan201650. LoruForestProject,QGISFile

Descriptionoffieldvisits(includinglistofsitesvisitedandindividuals/groupsinterviewed):

TheVerificationoftheLoruMonitoringReport16thJanuary2015to15thJanuary2017isperformedasPart2ofFirstVerification(whichistheSecondIssuanceRequest).

On25 Jan2017,SimsonLuluandSero Isaiahconducted the fieldsitevisitand the inspection.ThesitevisitinspectionincludedafieldvisitintotheeligibleforestareaandtheconductionofinterviewswiththeProjectOwner(SerThiac).

Verification scope and arrangement of on-site inspection were organized as per discussion withProgramCoordinatorviaSkypecall.Thefieldvisitwasconductedaspertheon-sitevisitplandated17Jan2017.ThefieldvisitstartedwithaninceptionmeetingwiththeProjectOwneron25Jan2017inSanto,Vanuatu. Followingtheinceptionmeeting, interviewwasconductedwithProjectOwner.Duringsecondhalfof25Jan2017,on-siteinspectionwascarriedatLoruForestProjectsite.AfollowupSkypecallwasperformedinordertoresolveanyremainingissuesaftertheon-siteinspection.

Followingtableprovidesdetailsofinterview.

Date Name Position&Department Topics17.01.2017

01.03.2017

DrSeanWeaver EkosNZ,NakauProgram(viaSkypecall)

NakauMethodologyFramework,Carbonbenefits,Accountingmethodology,Baseline,Additionality,Permanence,Leakage,Traceabilityanddouble-counting,Monitoring

25.01.2017 ChiefSkipSar HeadofSerthiacBoard&theChiefofKole

Asalandowner,whataresomeprojectactivitiesyouhavebeen

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Community25.01.2017 WarakarSer MemberoftheSerthiac

Board25.01.2017 ClarenceDan HeadofSerthiacFinance25.01.2017 RimanSer Lookafterthenursery25.01.2017 LennyFred MemberoftheSerakar

Clan

involvedin,in2015upuntilendof2016

WhatisyourunderstandingaboutthebankaccountyouandtheSerakarClanhavebeenreceivingonthesalesofcarbon?

HaveyouevermakeanyregularvisittoLoruConservationAreaandcheckedweatheranyactivitiessuchasloggingisoperatinginside?

HaveyoualsoparticipatedinanyoftheagroforestryactivitiesoranyManagementActivitiesthatareassociatedwiththeLoruForestCarbonProject?

CertificationStatement:

This verification refers to the reported Emission Reductions (ERs) for the Loru Forest Project asdescribedinthe“LoruForestProject–MonitoringReport16thJanuary2015to15thJanuary2017isperformedasPart2ofFirstVerification(whichistheSecondIssuanceRequest).IntheopinionoftheVerifier,theGHGemissionsreductionsfortheprojectinthemonitoringreportarefairlystated.TheGHG emission reductions were calculated correctly on the basis of the approved monitoringmethodologyandofthemonitoringplancontainedinthePD.TheVerifierisabletocertifythattheEmission Reductions (ERs) for the Loru Forest Project during the period 16th January 2015 to 15thJanuary 2017 is performed as Part 2 of First Verification (which is the Second Issuance Request)amountto4884tCO2equivalent.Table1.SummaryofmajorandminorCorrectiveActions–NONETheme MajorCARs MinorCARs Observations

ProjectImplementation

MonitoringPlan

Parametersmonitored

Riskmanagementandqualityassurance

Table 2 - Report ConformanceTheme ConformanceofDraft

ReportConformanceofFinalReport

ProjectImplementation

Yes Yes

MonitoringPlan No Yes

Parameters Yes Yes

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Monitored

RiskManagement Yes Yes

Theme 1. ProjectImplementationStatus

EnsuringthattheprojectisimplementedinaccordancewithProjectDescriptionasperPlanVivoStandard(2013)andmeetsrequirementsof1,2,3,and4ofPlanVivoStandard(2013)

A. Requirement

1.1 ProjectisimplementedinaccordancewithProjectDescription

B. Findings

(describe)TheLoruForestProject(withaneligibleforestareaof165.6hamadeupof1landparcels)inLuganville,SantoofVanuatuemploysthelegalinstrumentofaCommunityConservationAreatoprotectthetallcoastalrainforestwithintheproject boundary. A Community Conservation Area notice was verified viaemailcommunication/10/.Theprojectseekstomanagetheareathroughtheimplementation of the Loru Protected Area Management Plan /12/, whichincludes the removal of cattle from the area, and to reduce the impact ofinvasive weeds within the Project Area. The project has established a treenursery with the local clan to generate revenue and to promote forestconservation while also increasing the planting of productive tree species,whichwasverifiedduringon-siteinspectionon25Jan2017.

Theprojectisdividedintothreemanagementzones:

ZoneA-AvoidedDeforestation,wheresecondaryforestistoberehabilitatedthrough the removal of cattle and through the agreement not to clear theareaforgardensorcopraduringprojectperiod.

Zone B - Enhanced Forest Regeneration, where thicket is to be weeded ofaggressive herbaceous vines and managed sustainably to enhance naturalregeneration.

ZoneC-AgroforestryNon-forestlandcurrentlyinfestedwithinvasivevines.

The threemanagement zones of the project are in accordancewith PD /1/anda furtheron-site inspectionduring25Jan2017. Loruwassurveyedandrecognised as owned by the Serakar Clan through Vanuatu Department ofLandsin1994.TheChiefofthefamilyatthetimeofthecourt’sdecision,ChiefCalebSer,hassincepassedandas localcustomdetermines,hisfivechildrennowmanagetheland.CustomarylawinthispartofVanuatuworksthroughapatrilineal system.As such themaledescendants of Chief Caleb Ser are thelandownersofLoruArea.

A further boundary marking was undertaken in 2014 with Governmentrepresentativespresent towitness the agreementbetween the Serakar andneighbouring landowners to confirm customary land ownership of the LoruProjectArea/48/.OwnershipoftheLoruProjectAreabytheSerakarClan is

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notdisputed.StatementsweretakenandwitnessedtoagreetotheboundaryoftheLoruProjectAreabeingwithinSerakarclanland/43/.

TheconstitutionofVanuatuplaceslandinthehandsofthecustomaryownersofVanuatu.CustomarylandisthedominantformoflandtenureinVanuatuwith90%beingun-leasedand9%beingleased.TheLoruProtectedAreahasbeen legally registered as a nationally recognised community conservationareaunderthesubsection37(3)oftheEPCAct/10/.

The Loru Forest Project generate ecosystem service benefits as the projectfalls under the ‘carbon’ Activity Class and is an Avoided Deforestation,DeforestationtoProtectedForest (AD-DtPF)project.TheLoruForestProjectalsodeliversco-benefitsincludingmaintainingbiodiversity./1//2//3//4/.

Live & Learn Environmental Education Society Committee is a Legal Entity/49//9/andwillactastheProjectCoordinatorfortheLoruForestProject/6/.Live&LearnVanuatuascoordinatorof theLoruForestProjectensuredthatindividualswithresourceuserrightsandpeoplelivingorreliantontheprojectsites includingcustomary landownerwereappropriately informedabout theproject and were engaged in the planning, the maintaining and themonitoringoftheLoruForestProject/8/.

ProgramOperator:theNakauProgram/4/.

Project Coordinator: Live & Learn Environmental Education SocietyCommittee(LegalEntity)/49//9/

ProjectOwner:Ser-Thiac(LandownerBusinessEntity)/18//16//7/

Project’s Sectoral Scope:AFOLU–AvoidedDeforestation –Deforestation toProtectedForest(AD-DtPF)

Projectstartdate:16thJanuary2013/8/

Project’s crediting period: 30 years from 16th January 2013 to 15th January2044

Period verified in this verification: 16th January 2015 to15th January 2017 isperformed as Part 2 of First Verification (which is the Second IssuanceRequest).

Adopted methodoology: the Loru Forest Project has adopted two NakauProgrammethologyelements

• NakauMethodologyFramework:GeneralMethodologyfortheNakauProgram – An Indigenous Forest Conservation Program ThroughPaymentsforEcosystemServices(D2.1v1.0,20140428)/4/

• Technical SpecificationsModule: (C)AD-DtPF:AvoidedDeforestation– Deforestation to Protected Forest V.10 for the Nakau Program

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(D2.2.1V1.0,20150815)/3/

C. Conformance

Yes

No

N/A

D. CorrectiveActions(describe)

None

Theme 2. Monitoringplanandmonitoringmethodology

EnsuringthattheprojectmeetsrequirementsofmonitoringmethodologyinaccordancewithProjectDescriptionasperPlanVivoStandard(2013)andmeetsrequirementof5,6and7ofPlanVivoStandard(2013)

A. Requirement 2.1 Complianceofmonitoringplanwithmonitoringmethodology

MonitoringplancontainedintheProjectDescriptionandinTechnicalSpecificationisinaccordancewithapprovedmethodologyasadoptedbytheproject

B. Findings(describe)

ThisprojectappliestwoNakauProgrammemethodologyelementsasdemonstratedinthePD/1/:1.NakauMethodologyFrameworkD2.1v1.120150513/4/2. Technical SpecificationsModule (C) 2.1 (AD-DtPF): D2.2.1 v1.0, 20150815/3/

The Nakau Methodology Framework has been validated to the Plan VivoStandardon21stApril2015/44/

The Technical Specifications Module completed its first independentvalidationtothePlanVivoStandardduringcurrentverification(5thDec2015).

Thereviewof theTechnicalSpecificationsModulewillbecompletedbyTAC(TechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeofPlanVivo).ProgramOperator–theNakauProgramsentaMemo(dated12thAug2015)/47/tothePlanVivoFoundationSecretariat discussing the undertaking of a combined validation andverificationauditprocessforthefirstverification.Thisprocessofconcurrentvalidation and verification process was then approved by the Foundation.Under the Plan Vivo Standard, a project’s Technical Specification(methodology) is incorporated in theProjectDesignDocument (PDD) and isaudited separately ahead of the validation of the PDD. Moreover, becausePlanVivoprojectsnormallyconsistofafforestationactivities,thestartdateisprior to validation is not generally compatible with the crediting period.However,REDDprojectsarecompatiblewithit.

PartAof thePDDoutlineshow theprojectwillbemonitored.PartBof thePDD specifies a detailed monitoring plan and monitoring approaches

X

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(monitoring during first project monitoring and subsequent periodicmonitoring). Themonitoring plan andmonitoring approaches appear to beappropriateandasrequiredbytheadoptedmethodologyelements.

ThisisthefirstProjectMonitoringforLoruForestProject.AsimplifiedProjectMonitoring has been adopted in accordance with section 8.1.5 of theTechnicalSpecificationsModule(C)2.1(AD-DtPF).

Accordingtotherequirementof8.1ofTechnicalSpecificationsModule(C)2.1(AD-DtPF) /3/, the simplified Project Monitoring Report has adoptedappropriatecomponentsofthelatestVCSmonitoringReportTemplate/45/.

This monitoring report covers the period from 16th January 2015 to 15thJanuary2017isperformedasPart2ofFirstVerification(whichistheSecondIssuanceRequest)/41/.

C. Conformance

Yes

No

N/A


None

A. Requirement 2.2 Complianceofmonitoringwiththemonitoringplan

MonitoringhasbeencarriedoutinaccordancewiththemonitoringplanintheProjectDescription


LoruForestProjectMonitoringPlanhasbeendevelopedanddemonstratedinPart B of the PDD /2/. Roles and responsibilities in regard to projectmonitoringhasbeendemonstratedinPartBofthePDTable8.1.6/2/,whichis consistent with the monitoring guidelines as per Technical SpecificationModule(C)2.1(AD-DtPF)/3/.Responsibilityformonitoringtasksandrequiredresources availability were cross-checked with the Project Coordinator, theProjectOwner and the ProgramOperator during the on-site inspection andappearedappropriateasrequiredbyadoptedmethodologies.

This is the first ProjectMonitoring for the Loru Forest Project. A simplifiedProjectMonitoringhasbeenadoptedinaccordancewithsection8.1.5oftheTechnicalSpecificationsModule(C)2.1(AD-DtPF).

AccordingtotheNakauMethodologyFramework(validatedtothePlanVivoStandard,2013),allprojectsintheNakauProgramarerequiredtoprepareaProjectMonitoringPlanaspartoftheProjectDescriptioninaccordancewithrequirements of 5.4 of Nakau Methodology Framework and elementsrequired in the relevant Technical Specifications Module/s applied. Theadoptedmonitoring plan for the Loru Forest Project is detailed in Part B ofthePDD(section8.1.5)andTechnicalSpecificationModule(C)2.1(AD-DtPF)(section8.1.5).

According toTable8.1.1of theadoptedTechnical SpecificationsModule (C)2.1(AD-DtPF),followingparameterswillbemonitored:

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Notation Parameter Uni Equation Origin MonitoredEFA Eligible

ForestAreaha - PD Monitored

TAL TotalActivityLeakage

tCO2e/yr 5.2.1 DerivedfromActivityShiftingLeakageAnalysis

Monitored

A Director’s Certificate dated 12th Dec 2015 /46/ confirms that the projectstartedon16thJanuary2013andimplementedaccordingtotherequirementsofNakauMethodologyFrameworkandTechnicalSpecificationModule(C)2.1(AD-DtPF)asperrequirementof8.1.5ofTechnicalSpecificationsModule(C)2.1(AD-DtPF).

A simplified Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been developed inregardtoPart2ofFirstVerification(SecondIssuanceRequest)ofLoruForestProject Project Monitoring during (from 16th January 2015 to 15th January2017)asper8.1.6ofTechnicalSpecificationsModule(C)2.1(AD-DtPF)duringthefirstmonitoringperiod.

As per simplified Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), parameters arereported as per adoptedmonitoring procedures. Assessments ofmonitoredparametersaregiveninthefollowingtable:

Carbon Parameter Adoptedmonitoring

procedureforFirstMonitoringReport

Assessment/Observation

EligibleForestArea

InspectionsundertakenduringPDDdevelopmentandtheforestinventorysurvey(2015);mostrecentlyavailableaerialimageryprovidedforPDD

ThisapproachisconsistentwithprocedureasdetailedinValidatedTechnicalSpecification/3/andPDPartB/2/EligibleForestArea(EFA)equalsto165.6hahasbeenverifiedfromtheprojectQGISfiles/50/

ActivityShiftingLeakage

InspectionsundertakenduringPDDdevelopmentandtheforestinventorysurvey.ActivityShiftingnotpossibleduetoallforestlandownedbylandownersiscontainedwithintheProjectAreaandwouldamounttoareversalifReduced

ThisapproachisverifiedfromvalidatedTechnicalSpecification/3/,ForestInventory/15/.ActivityShiftingLeakageunderthismethodologyrefersactivitiesshiftingwithinlandsowned/controlledbytheProjectOwner.BecauseallindigenousforestownedbytheProjectOwneriscontainedwithintheProjectArea,whichinturnisprotectedasaCommunityConservationArea,thennoActivityShiftingcanoccur.Atpresent,thereissomeforestthatisnotincludedincreditingbutincludedintheCommunityConservationArea/10/.ThisareawasnotincludedincarboncreditingunderthisprojectatfirstverificationbecausetheProjectCoordinatoromittedto

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ActivityShiftingcanoccur.Atpresent,thereissomeforestthatisnotincludedincreditingbutincludedintheCommunityConservationArea/10/.ThisareawasnotincludedincarboncreditingunderthisprojectatfirstverificationbecausetheProjectCoordinatoromittedtoundertakeacarbonstockinventorywithinthisareaduringtheprojectdevelopment.AssuchtheProjectCoordinatorintendstoprovideanupdatedbaselineatsecondverificationthatwillincludethisarea.ThiswasverifiedbyinterviewingProjectCoordinatorandProgramOperator.

Community Parameters Adoptedmonitoring



Food,consumption,agriculture

CommunityImpactMonitoringbaselinesurveyundertakenin2015

ThisapproachisconsistentwiththeLoruLivelihoodImpactMonitoringGuideandMethodologyforSocioeconomicBaseline/42/.Surveydocumentswereverifiedduringtheon-siteinspectionon25thNov2015atProjectCoordinatorLocation(Live&LearnVanuatu).ThebaselinesurveyresultsaspresentedinPDPartA/1/wasverifiedduringtheon-siteinspectionattheprojectsitebyinterviewingcommunityrepresentatives.

Wateraccessibility


ThisapproachisconsistentwiththeLoruLivelihoodImpactMonitoringGuideandMethodologyforSocioeconomicBaseline/42/.Surveydocumentswereverifiedduringtheon-siteinspectionon25thNov2015attheProjectCoordinatorLocation(Live&LearnVanuatu).BaselinesurveyresultsaspresentedinPDPartA/1/wereverifiedduringon-siteinspectionattheprojectsitebyinterviewingcommunityrepresentatives.

Householdincome


ThisapproachisconsistentwiththeLoruLivelihoodImpactMonitoringGuideandMethodologyforSocioeconomicBaseline/42/.Surveydocumentswereverifiedduringtheon-siteinspectionon25thNov2015attheProjectCoordinatorLocation(Live&LearnVanuatu).BaselinesurveyresultsaspresentedinPDPartA/1/wereverifiedduringtheon-siteinspectionatthe

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MethodologyforSocioeconomicBaseline/42/.Surveydocumentswereverifiedduringtheon-siteinspectionon25thNov2015attheProjectCoordinatorLocation(Live&LearnVanuatu).BaselinesurveyresultsaspresentedinPDPartA/1/wereverifiedduringtheon-siteinspectionattheprojectsitebyinterviewingcommunityrepresentatives.

Participation CommunityImpactMonitoringbaselinesurveyundertakenin2015

ThisapproachisconsistentwiththeLoruLivelihoodImpactMonitoringGuideandtheMethodologyforSocioeconomicBaseline/42/.Surveydocumentswereverifiedduringtheon-siteinspectionon25thNov2015attheProjectCoordinatorLocation(Live&LearnVanuatu).BaselinesurveyresultsaspresentedinPDPartA/1/wereverifiedduringtheon-siteinspectionattheprojectsitebyinterviewingcommunityrepresentatives.

BiodiversityParameter Adoptedmonitoring



Presenceofsignificantspecies

FirstBiodiversityProjectSurveyundertakenconcurrentlywithForestInventorySurveyin2015.ForestBiodiversityBaselineSurveytobeundertakenafterfirstverification.

ThisapproachisconsistentwithprocedureasdetailedinValidatedTechnicalSpecification/3/andPDPartB/2/.ForestInventorywascompletedin2015/15/.Biodiversityassessmentswerecarriedoutaccordingly/38//40/.

C. Conformance

Yes

No

N/A


None

X

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Theme 3. Quantifyingandmonitoringecosystemservices

Ensuringthattheprojectmeetsrequirements5ofthePlanVivoStandard(2013)

A. Requirement

3.1 QuantificationofGHGemissionreductionsandremovals

Quantificationofbaselineemissions,projectemissionsandleakageB. Findings

(describe)Emission Reductions (ERs) from the Loru Forest Project (AD-DtPF) have beenconsidered for the specific monitoring period from 16th January 2015 to 15thJanuary2017.ThesehavebeencalculatedinaccordancewiththeadoptedNakauMethodologyFrameworkandTechnicalSpecificationModule.DataandinformationpresentedintheLoruCarbonBudgetandPricing/14/wereassessed and cross-checked by reviewing all the relevant references, byconducting interviews with personnel and checking source documents. Nosignificant reporting risks have been identified for the information and datareported. This has enabled the verifier to assess the accuracy and thecompletenessofreportedmonitoringresultsandtoverifythecorrectapplicationoftheadoptedmethodology.Annual Baseline Emissions Avoided: 3520 tCO2e. The firstMonitoring Period is16th January 2015 – 15th January 2017 (i.e. 2 years) (Appendix 1, Sheet ‘LoruCarbon’CellE9).BaselineEmissionsforthefirstmonitoringperiodare3452tCO2e(i.e.1726x2).AnnualBaselineRemovals:34tCO2e.BaselineRemovals forthefirstmonitoringperiodare68tCO2e(Appendix1,Sheet‘LoruCarbon’CellE10).AnnualNetBaselineEmissions:1726tCO2e(Appendix1,Sheet‘LoruCarbon’CellE11).

AnnualBuffer(NetBaselineEmissionAvoided):345tCO2e

AnnualNetProjectRemovals:1326tCO2e(Appendix1,Sheet ‘LoruCarbon’CellE15)

AnnualBuffer(NetProjectRemovals):265tCO2e

Therehasbeennoactivityshifting leakage in thismonitoringperiod.Therehasbeen no market leakage in this monitoring period (due to the insignificantvolumeofbaselinetimberharvestinginrelationtothenationaldomestictimbermarket).Leakageforthismonitoringperiodis0tCO2e(Appendix1,Sheet‘LoruCarbon’CellE12).NetCarbonCredits:2442tCO2eduring16

thJanuary2015to15thJanuary2016

NetCarbonCredits:2442tCO2eduring16thJanuary2016to15thJanuary2017

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C. Conformance

Yes

No

N/A


None

A. Requirement

3.2 Quantificationofhabitathectareunits

Quantificationofbaselinehabitathectares,projecthabitathectares,hectareleakage


ThisprojectmarketsHabitatHectareunitsthataremutuallyexclusivetocarbonoffsets.Thisisforthepurposeofmarketingthisrainforestprotectionprojecttobuyersnotinterestedincarbonoffsettingbutinterestedinsupportingrainforestprotectionthroughthepurchaseofpaymentforecosystemserviceunits.WhenabuyerpurchasesaHabitatHectareunitfromthisproject,theequivalentvolume of carbon offsets are retired in the registry. In this manner, carbonoffsetsareusedasaregisteredproxyofHabitatHectareunits.OneHabitatHectareunit equalsonehectareof rainforestprotected inside theeligibleforestareaforoneyear.Baseline hectares of rainforest protected inside the eligible forest area: 0ha(Appendix1,Sheet‘LoruHH’CellE4).Leakageforthismonitoringperiodis0haBuffer:20%Coastalscrap:36.6haTheGrossHabitatHectare:(EligibleForestArea165.6ha–CoastalScrapincludedinbaseline18.3ha)147.3haProject Habitat Hectares of rainforest protected inside the eligible forest area:EFA–20%(Appendix1,Sheet‘LoruHH’CellE8)118hayr-1Therehasbeennoactivityshifting leakage in thismonitoringperiod.Therehasbeen no market leakage in this monitoring period (due to the insignificantvolumeofbaselinetimberharvestinginrelationtothenationaldomestictimbermarket).Net Carbon Credits per Habitat Hectares: (Net Carbon Credit Equivalent)/(NetHabitatHectares):20.72tCO2e

C. Conformance

Yes

No

N/A

X

X

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None

A. Requirement

3.3 QuantificationofCommunityImpacts

Quantificationofbaselinecommunityimpacts,projectcommunityimpactsandnetcommunityimpactsenhancement


During the first verification, the Loru Forest Project has undertaken a baselinecommunity impactmonitoring/42/.This isbecause theLoruForestProjecthasonly completed socio-economic baseline survey for the community and thatthere is no contrasting data to enable estimating project’s impacts on the saidcommunity. This was verified by interviewing the community. A communityimpactmeasurement framework was developed by the Project Coordinator inconsultationwiththeProjectOwner.Atotalof39 interviewswasconductedaselaborated in Loru Livelihood Impact Monitoring Guide and Methodology forSocioeconomic Baseline /42/. Baseline data as presented in Part A of the PDDwascross-checkedwithinterviewresponseform(storedinProjectCoordinator’sOffice)andinterviewswithcommunities.Theresultsoftheinterviewresponseswerefoundtobeconsistentwiththebaselinedata.

The first occasion where project community impacts can be measured andreportedformonitoringwillbeatthesecondverificationevent.Netcommunityimpact enhancements will become available for the first time at the secondverificationevent.

C. Conformance

Yes

No

N/A


None

A. Requirement

3.4 QuantificationofBiodiversityImpacts

QuantificationofbaselinebiodiversityimpactsandprojectbiodiversityimpactsB. Findings

(describe)Measuring the impact of the Loru Forest Project on biodiversity requires acomparison between a biodiversity baseline survey and a biodiversity projectsurvey.At firstverificationtheLoruForestProjecthasonlyundertakenthefirstProjectBiodiversityImpactMonitoringsurvey.The Loru Forest Project has completed the first (project scenario) biodiversityimpactmonitoringsurveyrecordingsignificantspeciespresentinsidetheprojectboundary.Duringcurrentverification,thereisnoinformationregardingbiodiversityimpactsin the Monitoring Report. This is because no biodiversity baseline survey wasconducted.However,duringinterviews,theProjectCoordinatorandtheProgramOperator have confirmed that they aspire to undertake a baseline survey in a

X

16

reference area supporting the baseline scenario before the secondmonitoringandverification.It is in the opinion of Verifier that the proposed approach appears to beappropriate,i.e.todevelopaplannedbaselinesurveyinareferenceareabeforenextverificationandbeforeaprojectbiodiversitysurvey.

C. Conformance

Yes

No

N/A


None

X

17

Theme 4. Climateservices,risksmanagementandqualityassurance

Ensuringthattheprojectmeetsrequirements6and7ofthePlanVivoStandard(2013)

A. Requirement 4.1 Calculationofemissionreductions(climateservices)andassessmentofdata

Spreadsheetformulas,conversion,aggregations,consistentuseoffactorsinlinewiththemonitoringplan,transcriptionerrorsbetweendatasets,sourcesofdata.


The Emission Reductions (ERs) for the Loru Forest Project (AD-DtPF) havebeenconsideredforthemonitoringperiod16thJanuary2015to15thJanuary2017. These have been calculated in accordance with the adopted NakauMethodologyFrameworkandTechnicalSpecificationModule.This is the first ProjectMonitoring for the Loru Forest Project. A simplifiedProjectMonitoring has been adopted in accordance to section 8.1.5 of theTechnicalSpecificationsModule(C)2.1(AD-DtPF).

The data and information presented in the Loru Carbon Budget and Pricing/14/ were assessed and cross-checked by reviewing relevant references,interviewing with personnel and checking all the source documents. Nosignificant reporting risks havebeen identified for the information anddatareported. This has enabled the verification team to assess the accuracy andcompleteness of the reported monitoring results and to verify the correctapplicationoftheadoptedmethodology.

AllrelevantformulasandfactorsusedtocalculatethenetanthropogenicGHGemissions and removals in the Baseline Scenario, and to calculate the netanthropogenic GHG emissions and removals in the Project Scenario are inaccordancewithTechnicalSpecification(AD-DfPF)andasdemonstratedinPDPartB.

AllthefactorsusedandsourcesofdataareappropriatelycitedinbothPartBofthePDDandintheLoruCarbonBudgetandPricing/14/.

For the current verification, all data transcription was performed byresponsiblemonitoringpersonnelandwascarried-outappropriately.

C. Conformance

Yes

No

N/A


None

A. Requirement 4.2 Assessmentofbuffer

Hastheprojecthasallocatedaproportionofclimateservicesinariskbuffer?

X

18


TheProjectBufferRating(PBR)isusedtocalculatetheBufferforthebaselinetimeline.

TheProjectBufferRating (PBR) isequal to0.2 in thisTechnicalSpecificationModule. This is in accordancewith Technical Specification and the adoptedmethodologyelements.

20%bufferishigherthanminimumbuffer(10%)asrecommendedbythePlanVivoStandard(2013).

C. Conformance

Yes

No

N/A


None

A. Requirement 4.3 Quality of evidence to determine emission reductions and climateservices

Thediscussion,findingsandconclusionrelatedtothattheevidenceisoffsufficientquantityandappropriatequality,thereliabilityofevidenceandnatureofevidence


Thedata presented in themonitoring report and in the Loru Forest CarbonInventory&Budgetwere assessedby reviewing all project documetation indetail, by interviewing the Porject Owner, the Project Coordinator and theProgramOperatoraswellasbydirectobservationsofestablishedmonitoringand reporting practices during field visit inspection. This has enabled theverification team to assess the accurancy and the completeness of thereportedmonitoring resultsand toverify thecorrectapplicationofadoptedmethodology elements and Technical Specifications. All necessarydocumentationhasbeenappropriatelycollected,referencedandagreegatedandiseasyaccessibleinelectronicformataswellashardcopies.

Monitoring and reporting of data is in accordance with the adoptedmethodology elements and Technical Specification and as demonstrated inPartBofthePDD.TheVerifierhasbeenabletoconfrmthatthatcompeltesetofdataisavailableforthepurposeofcalaculatingtheofEmissionReductionunitsforthecurrentmonitoringperiod.

C. Conformance

Yes

No

N/A


None

A. Requirement 4.4 Managementsystemandqualityassurance

Thediscussion,findingsandconclusionsinregardtothesuitabilityofthemanagementsystemformonitoringandreporting.

X

X

19


TheLoruForestProjecthasdevelopedaStandardOperatingProcedure(SOP)forMonitoringCarbonbenefitsasdemonstrated inPartBofthePDDandintheMonitoringReport.ThedemonstratedSOPisinaccordancewithadoptedmethodologyelementsandTechnicalSpecification.Against each activity to be monitored (under carbon, community andbiodiversity)relevantfrequency,responsibility,humanresourcesandfinancialresources have been demonstrated under SOP as detailed in Part B of thePDD.TheVerifier can confirm that the responsibilities and theauthorities for themonitoringandthereportingare inaccordancewiththeresponsibilitiesandauthoritiesasstatedinPartBofthePDD.

This is the first ProjectMonitoring for the Loru Forest Project. A simplifiedProjectMonitoringhasbeenadoptedinaccordancewithsection8.1.5oftheTechnical SpecificationsModule (C) 2.1 (AD-DtPF) and, as such, a simplifiedmonitoringandreportingmethodologyhasbeenadopted.

TheLoruForestProject’smonitoringmanagementincludesdatamanagementsystems, StandardOperating Procedure (includingmonitoring and reportingtools, templates,appropriate training tomonitoringpersonneldispatched inthe forest) and Quality Assurance (accessibility of data by nominatedpersonnel and storage of data in multiple sites). The Nakau Program hasdeveloped an Information Management Systems where the Loru ForestProject data are stored electronically.Hard copies of thedata are stored atthe Project Coordinator’sOffice and at the ProjectOwner’s field office. Theimplementation of the data management systems was verified during thefield visit inspection and interviewswith the ProgramOperator, the ProjectCoordinatorandtheProjectOwner.

The data presented in themonitoring report and in the Loru Forest CarbonInventory&Budgetwas assessedby reviewingall project documentation indetail, by interviewing the Project Owner, the Project Coordinator and theProgramOperatoraswellasbydirectobservationsofthealreadyestablishedmonitoring and reportingpractices during the field visit inspection. This hasenabled the Verifier to assess the appropriate implementation of the datamanagement systems and completeness of the reportedmonitoring resultsand to verify the correct application of the adoptedmethodology elementsand of the Technical Specification. All the necessary documentation isappropriately collected, referencedandaggregatedand is easyaccessible inelectronicformataswellashardcopies.

C. Conformance

Yes

No

N/A


None

X

20

Activity Time

17 January 2017 20.00 – 21.00 Skype meeting with Dr Sean Weaver, Nakau Programme Operator

• Verification Scope • On-site inspection – on-site auditor, audit plan • Reporting and scheduling

On-site audit date 25 Jan 2017 10.00 – 10.30 Opening and Initial meeting with Project Owner

• Objective and scope of on-site audit • Review plan for on-site visit (interview, forest site visit,

document/information record) 10.30 – 12.30 Interview with Project Owner

• Questionnaire survey as per on-site audit schedule

21

Activity Time

13.30 – 15.30 On-site Inspection – Loru Forest Project • Check the project boundaries to determine that the protected forest still

exists. This is the forest included in Zone A of the Project Area Map (Annex 1)

• Check whether there is any evidence of logging or clearing of forest in the protected forest

• Check where there have been any changes in project boundaries

• Has there been any forest clearance in the area shown in Zone B of the project Area Map (Annex 1)

• Has the Serakar Clan managed the land is a way that is consistent with the Land Use Map produced by members of the Serakar Clan and included in the Nakau Management Plan Report (Annex 2))

01 March 2017 20.00 – 21.00 Skype meeting with Dr Sean Weaver, Nakau Programme Operator

• Verification Scope and Communication with Plan Vivo • Status and Update on On-site Audit (carried out in conjunction with

this verification) • On-site audit Reports and On-site audit records • Communication with Plan Vivo regarding current scope of Verification • Monitoring, Reporting and Verification – process, management and

inventory

TheVerifier:NoimUddin,PhD

Signature: Date:26April2017