In this issue

• The Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism moves closer to full operationalization: outcomes from SBM015 in Bhutan
• First approvals: accreditation and CDM transition
• Launch of interim registry agreed
• Revised CDM transition rules & updates to activity cycle procedure
• Methodological standards
• Election of Chairs
• Expert Panels

The Article 6.4 Supervisory Body held its 15th meeting in Bhutan, coming together for the first time since key mechanism standards were agreed at COP29.

The Body is advancing efforts to fully operationalize the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism in 2025. Following the CMA's adoption of methodologies and removals standards in Baku, the Supervisory Body has prioritized finalizing remaining guidance for methodologies and activity registration and building the infrastructure needed for successful operation.

This newsletter update highlights the key outcomes from the meeting.

The Supervisory Body has accredited the first independent auditor tasked with validating and verifying projects - also known as a Designated Operational Entity (DOE).

This marks an important step in operationalizing the mechanism, as it is essential to have DOEs in place in order for future Article 6.4 activities to be validated and verified by a third party. The accreditation of Carbon Check (India) Private Limited (CCIPL) for five years will allow them to validate, verify, and certify Article 6.4 activities across a range of sectors.

Additionally, the Body approved a transition request from the PoA “Clean Energy Program Supported by Republic of Korea.”

The Supervisory Body agreed to launch the interim Article 6.4 mechanism registry and adopted the associated procedure. It requested the secretariat to provide user guidance and continue work on important information about the mechanism registry for Parties.

The Body agreed to frame user rights in terms of “control” rather than confirming ownership and decided to explore a pledge system for financial security interests.

Two calls for stakeholder input on these topics will be launched, with the findings to be presented at the Body’s future meeting.

The Supervisory Body adopted revised rules for afforestation and reforestation activities transitioning from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism, noting that full implementation depends on the availability of removal-based methodologies. 

The Body approved updates to the activity cycle procedures, clarifying the authorization process and exemptions for LDCs and SIDS (with an option not to use the exemption). It also requested an information note exploring a potential time limit for host Party post‑issuance authorization of Article 6.4 emission reductions.

Methodological standards

The Supervisory Body adopted a methodological standard on additionality demonstration. The Supervisory Body also considered a methodological standard related to baseline setting and provided guidance to the Methodological Expert Panel for the further development of the standard.

Furthermore, it asked the MEP to present clear pros and cons for new proposals, avoid unsupported country classifications, consider different crediting periods for emissions versus removals, and explore alignment with the Paris temperature goal and best available technologies without delaying key deliverables.

The Supervisory Body elected Mr. Martin Hession of Ireland to serve as Chair and Ms. Maria AlJishi of Saudi Arabia to serve as Vice-Chair until the first meeting of the Body in 2026. 

“II very much look forward to working with Maria and colleagues to secure fair and effective implementation of the rules we concluded last year in Baku,” said Martin Hesson. “Climate change remains the preeminent challenge of our generation, and while I have no illusions as to the work ahead, it remains an enormous privilege, in difficult times, to play a small role in seeking to address them. We remain a technical body drawn from experts representing every region on earth, collectively dedicated to delivering on share goals and high standards, and I hope, demonstrating necessity and value of international cooperation based on dialogue and mutual respect.”

Maria AlJishi added: “I'm grateful for the trust placed in me by the Supervisory Body to serve as Vice Chair during a year of implementation and crucial decisions. I believe that with strong commitment and collaboration, we can build on previous successes and efforts, as we continue to operationalize this mechanism together.”

The Body also elected Ms. Angela Friedrich of Austria and Mr. Mkhuthazi Steleki of South Africa to serve as co-chairs of the Accreditation Expert Panel. Mr. El Hadji Mbaye Diagne of Senegal and Mr. Simon Fellermeyer of Switzerland were elected as co-chairs of the Methodological Expert Panel.

The Supervisory Body took note of the latest meeting reports from the Accreditation Expert Panel (AEP) and the Methodologicial Expert Panel (MEP) and agreed on the need to schedule additional meetings for the MEP in July and December 2025.

The Body also selected 14 members to serve on the MEP from 1 April 2025 for one year.

Additionally, the Supervisory Body agreed to launch a call for experts on removals, focusing on risk assessment, insurance, and monitoring practices, as well as the broader scientific community, to join the methodologies roster of experts.

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