What is Additionality? Part 1: A Long-Standing Problem

Abstract

what is additionality? part 1: a long standing problem michael gillenwater discussion paper no. 001 january 2012 | version 03 what is additionality? part 1: a long standing problem michael gillenwater†,‡ †greenhouse gas management institute, silver spring, md ‡science, technology and environmental policy program, woodrow wilson school of public and international affairs, princeton university, princeton, nj (email: gillenwater@alum.mit.edu) discussion paper (version 03) january 2012 abstract this article is the first in a three-part series whose overall aim is to more precisely define the terms "additionality" and "baseline" in the context of environmental policy and propose a conceptual framework for applying these concepts within offset programs. the elaboration of precise and theoretically well-grounded definitions of these terms is a necessary precursor to their application in real world offset programs in a way that allows programs to operate with both greater credibility and effectiveness. through a historical analysis and literature review, it is shown that the current language employed to define additionality and baseline in greenhouse gas emissions offset policy is imprecise and that major offset programs and standards are built upon circular definitions. the root of these problems is a failure to explicitly recognize and specify a policy intervention. a failure that has abandoned additionality and baseline assessments to politics and ad hoc justifications. …

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