The Ex-ACT Carbon Tool training
The Ex-ACT Carbon Tool training took place during 16 – 19 October in Yezin Agricultural University, Myanmar by Climate Smart Agriculture Center. A total of 27 participants from Department of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Research, Yezin Agricultural University, Forest Department, Forest Research Institute and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) joined this training. The training was focused on fundamental and standard exercises on EX-ACT use on projects, policies, national strategies, and Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV), tailored according to the feedback received from the participants during the daily exercises. The exercises are based on the EX-ACT training booklet.
EX-Ante Carbon-balance Tool (EX-ACT)
EX-Ante Carbon-balance Tool (EX-ACT) is a tool developed by FAO. It is aimed at providing ex-ante estimates of the mitigation potential of agriculture and forestry development projects and estimating net Carbon (C) balance from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and C-sequestration. EX-ACT is a land-based accounting system, measuring C-stocks, stock changes per unit of land, and CH4 and N2O emissions expressed in tCO2eq per hectare and year. The main output of the tool is an estimation of the C-balance that is associated with the adoption of alternative land management options, as compared to a ‘business as usual’ (or baseline scenario).
Based on the requests made by the FAO staff working on the GEF-financed project Sustainable cropland and forest management in priority agro-ecosystems of Myanmar, the EX-ACT and FAO MM teams have designed a specific curriculum based on in-depth coaching for the FAO staff and partners associated to the project. This training has been organized for several reasons: (i) the importance of current and future GEF portfolio in Myanmar, (ii) cost and time efficiency, and (iii) to strengthen the capacity of RAP LTOs in EX-ACT.
Exercise-specific Training Material
In addition to the standard material, additional materials for the EX-ACT exercises was provided. The exercise booklet includes strictly simplified problem sets of management situations at farm and landscape level. The problem sets become progressively more complex and comprehensively cover different aspects from Land Use Change (LUC), Crop Production (Annual & Perennial Crops), Grasslands and Livestock, Land Degradation as well as Inputs and Investments (Agrochemicals, Energy, Infrastructure).
The training was successfully finished on 19 October and shared all the training materials to the participants.
