Participatory design

The participation of producer groups in the identification of suitable offset activities will affect both the long-term viability and the potential impacts on local livelihoods. Adequate consultation can also help demonstrate voluntary participation in project and may be a key requirement for some purchasers.

Evidence of consultation with producers in the identification of offset activities may be given either by a direct description of the process or by reference to other documents. Such consultation should aim to assess the potential costs and benefits of various activities through a consideration of:

1. the suitability of activities with respect to land use and energy requirements of local people
2. the potential of activities to sequester carbon / reduce carbon emissions
3. the availability of resources (e.g. land, labour and capital) to implement proposed activities
4. limiting factors that prevent producers implementing proposed activities (e.g. infrastructure, land tenure, technical expertise, etc.).