Towards the horizontal expansion of JCM methodology and its projects for methane emission reduction in rice cultivation to the Asia-Monsoon region
The Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) methodology for “Methane Emission Reduction by Water Management in Rice Paddy Fields” (PH_AM004) was approved by the Joint Committee for the JCM between the Philippines and Japan on 3 February 2025. This methodology was developed by the Expert Committee on Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Low-Carbon Food Systems in the ASEAN Region that was hosted by the Asian Development Bank (5 time meetings held during January and June 2024), to which Dr. MINAMIKAWA Kazunori of JIRCAS, an expert committee member, substantially contributed from technological aspect. JIRCAS on behalf of the expert committee submitted the methodology to the Joint Committee on 24 September 2024 and it was approved on 3 February 2025. This is the first approved JCM methodology in the agricultural sector, except biomass burning.
In the Philippines, pilot projects for methane emission reduction by water management have been implemented by Japanese private companies including members of the Platform for the Utilization of Joint Crediting Mechanism in Agriculture that is managed by JIRCAS as the secretariat. Using the approved JCM methodology, project developers can register their project as a JCM project and issue a high-quality carbon credit. It is expected that similar JCM methodology will be developed, based on the approved methodology, between Japan and countries in the Asia-Monsoon region where rice cultivation is predominant and that JCM projects for methane emission reduction by water management will be widely implemented there.
JIRCAS continues to study for the dissemination and social implementation of promising climate change mitigation techniques in the agricultural sector through international rule-making.
Webpage for JCM methodology (PH_AM004)
Farmers’ rice fields in the Philippines
