How can uncertainty in measurements and methods be addressed?
For some project types there will be uncertainty associated with the field-collected data or models used, as well as with the methods used to determine baseline and additionality. Methods and tools must include estimates of uncertainty. To be conservative in maintaining environmental and economic integrity for offsets, a project’s offsets could be discounted by the uncertainty inherent in the methods used and the input data provided. One way to discount would be to use the most conservative estimate within an accepted statistical confidence interval, if such data are available.[19] A number of methods for measurement and accounting exist. Discounting that is scaled to increase with uncertainty will allow the market to settle on the ideal mix of effort and certainty. In this fashion, a landowner may consider measurement and accounting practices of increasing stringency up to the point where the increased costs and effort become greater than the benefit gained from a reduced discount.
