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- 8. HANDBOOK FOR DEVELOPING JOINT CREDITING MECHANISM PROJECTS
- 9. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO license (CC BY 3.0 IGO) © 2016 Asian Development Bank 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City, 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines Tel +63 2 632 4444; Fax +63 2 636 2444 www.adb.org Some rights reserved. Published in 2016. Printed in the Philippines. ISBN 978-92-9257-717-9 (Print), 978-92-9257-718-6 (e-ISBN) Publication Stock No. TIM168063-2 Cataloging-In-Publication Data Asian Development Bank. Handbook for developing joint crediting mechanism projects. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Asian Development Bank, 2016. 1. Joint Crediting Mechanism. 2. Asian Development Bank. I. Asian Development Bank. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by ADB in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.
- 10. By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term “country” in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. This work is available under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO license (CC BY 3.0 IGO) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/. By using the content of this publication, you agree to be bound by the terms of this license. This CC license does not apply to non-ADB copyright materials in this publication. If the material is attributed to another source, please contact the copyright owner or publisher of that source for permission to reproduce it. ADB cannot be held liable for any claims that arise as a result of your use of the material. Attribution—You should always acknowledge ADB as the source using the following format: [Author]. [Year of publication]. [Title of the work in italics]. [City of publication]: [Publisher]. © ADB. [URL or DOI] [license]. Translations—Any translations you create should carry the following disclaimer: Originally published by ADB in English under the title [title in italics]. © ADB. [URL or DOI] [license]. The quality of the translation and its coherence with the original text is the sole responsibility of the translator. The English original of this work is the only official version. Adaptations—Any adaptations you create should carry the following disclaimer: This is an adaptation of an original work titled [title in italics]. © ADB. [URL or DOI][license]. The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of ADB or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent.
- 11. ADB does not endorse this work or guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. Please contact pubsmarketing@adb.org if you have questions or comments with respect to content, or if you wish to obtain copyright permission for your intended use that does not fall within these terms, or for permission to use the ADB logo. Notes: 1. In this publication, “$” refers to US dollars. 2. ADB recognizes “China” as the People’s Republic of China and “Vietnam” as Viet Nam. Corrigenda to ADB publications may be found at http://www.adb.org/publications/corrigenda
- 12. CONTENTS Tables, Figures, and Boxes v Foreword vii Acknowledgments viii Abbreviations ix Introduction 1 Purpose 1 Target Audience 1 References 1 Latest Information 1 Module 1: Overview of the Joint Crediting Mechanism 2 1.1 Introduction to the Module 2 1.2 Objectives and Concepts 2 1.3 Stakeholders and Governance Structure 4 1.4 Rules and Guidelines 5 1.5 Eligible Project Types 6 Module 2: Development of Joint Crediting Mechanism Projects 7 2.1 Introduction to the Module 7 2.2 Project Development Cycle 7 2.3 Financing Available for the Joint Crediting Mechanism 11
- 13. 2.4 Costs Associated with the Joint Crediting Mechanism 14 Module 3: Methodology Development 15 3.1 Introduction to the Module 15 3.2 Overview of Methodologies 15 3.3 Concept of Eligibility Criteria 15 3.4 Approach to Calculating Emission Reductions 16 3.5 Structure of a Proposed Methodology 19 3.6 Methodology Approval Process 36 3.7 Revision of Approved Methodologies 37 Module 4: Project Design Document 39 4.1 Introduction to the Module 39 4.2 Development of the Project Design Document 39 4.3 Project Description 40 4.4 Application of an Approved Methodology and Calculation of Emission Reductions 42 4.5 Environmental Impact Assessment and Local Stakeholder Consultation 46 4.6 Monitoring Plan 47 Module 5: Validation 52 5.1 Introduction to the Module 52 5.2 Timeline and Process Flow 52 5.3 Validation Steps 54 5.4 Third-Party Entity 56 5.5 Modalities of Communication Statement 58 Module 6: Registration 60 6.1 Introduction to the Module 60 6.2 Registration Process 60
- 14. Module 7: Monitoring and Reporting 63 7.1 Introduction to the Module 63 7.2 Monitoring Report 63 7.3 Monitoring 68 7.4 Monitoring Issues 72 Module 8: Verification and Issuance 75 8.1 Introduction to the Module 75 8.2 Verification 75 8.3 Timing of Verification 77 8.4 Corrective Action Requests, Clarification Requests, and Forward Action Requests 77 8.5 Verification Report 78 8.6 Issuance of Credits 78 Module 9: Post-Registration Project Changes 81 9.1 Introduction to the Module 81 9.2 What Is a Post-Registration Project Change? 81 9.3 Procedure for Obtaining Approval for Temporary and Permanent Changes 82 9.4 Changes to the Modalities of Communication Statement 84 Appendixes 1 List of Registered Joint Crediting Mechanism Projects 85 2 List of Approved Methodologies 86 3 List of Joint Crediting Mechanism Model and Demonstration Projects Selected for Support by the Government of Japan 88 4 Example of Approved Methodology 93 5 Example of Project Design Document 100
- 15. 6 Example of Modalities of Communication Form 116 7 Example of Project Registration Request Form 118 8 Information Sources 119
- 16. TABLES, FIGURES, AND BOXES Tables 1.1 Rules and Guidelines for the Joint Crediting Mechanism 5 2.1 Overview of Financing Support for Joint Crediting Mechanism Projects 11 2.2 Potential Costs Associated with the Joint Crediting Mechanism Cycle 14 3.1 Eligibility Criteria under Approved Methodology VN_AM002, Introduction of Room Air Conditioners Equipped with Inverters 16 3.2 Example of Additional Information Documents 36 5.1 Corrective Action Requests, Clarification Requests, and Forward Action Requests 55 5.2 Accredited Third-Party Entities in Host Countries 57 8.1 Explanation of Third-Party Entity Requests in the Verification Process 77
- 17. Figures 1.1 Overview of the Joint Crediting Mechanism Scheme 3 1.2 Joint Crediting Mechanism Stakeholders and Roles 4 2.1 Joint Crediting Mechanism Project Development Cycle 7 3.1 Calculation of Emission Reductions Using Reference Emissions 17 3.2 Calculation of Emission Reductions Using Conservative Project Emissions 19 3.3 Section A of VN_AM002: Introduction of room air conditioners equipped with inverters 20 3.4 Section B of VN_AM002 20 3.5 Section C of VN_AM002 21 3.6 Section D of VN_AM002 22 3.7 Section E of VN_AM002 23 3.8 Section F of VN_AM002 25 3.9 Section G of VN_AM002 26 3.10 Section H of VN_AM002 27 3.11 Section I of VN_AM002 27 3.12 Structure of the Monitoring Spreadsheet 29
- 18. 3.13 Monitoring Plan Sheet (Input Sheet) Worksheet, Table 1 of VN_AM003: Installation of Energy-Efficient Refrigerators Using Natural Refrigerant at Food Industry Cold Storage and Frozen Food Processing Plant 31 3.14 Monitoring Plan Sheet (Input Sheet) Worksheet, Table 2 of VN_AM003 32 3.15 Monitoring Plan Sheet (Input Sheet) Worksheet, Table 3 of VN_AM003 33 3.16 Monitoring Plan Sheet (Calculation Process Sheet) Worksheet of VN_AM003 34 3.17 Monitoring Structure Sheet of VN_AM003 35 3.18 Flowchart of the Methodology Approval Process 37 4.1 Project Description Section of ID 002: Project of Introducing High Efficiency Refrigerator to a Food Industry Cold Storage in Indonesia 41 4.2 Application of an Approved Methodology Section of MN002: Centralization of Heat Supply System by Installation of High- Efficiency Heat Only Boilers in Bornuur Soum Project 42 4.3 Calculation of Emission Reduction Section of MN002 44 4.4 Monitoring Plan Sheet (Input Sheet) of ID002 48
- 19. 4.5 Monitoring Plan Sheet (Calculation Process Sheet) of ID002 49 4.6 Monitoring Structure Sheet of ID002 51 5.1 Flowchart of the Validation Process 53 6.1 Flowchart of the Registration Process 61 7.1 Monitoring Report Sheet (Input Sheet) of Project ID 002: Project of Introducing High Efficiency Refrigerator to a Food Industry Cold Storage in Indonesia 65 7.2 Monitoring Report Sheet (Calculation Process Sheet) of Project ID002 67 7.3 Example of a Monitoring Procedure 69 7.4 Decision Tree for Data Correction 70 8.1 Flowchart of the Verification Process 76 8.2 Flowchart of the Credit Issuance Process 80 9.1 Flowchart of the Post-Registration Change Approval Process 83 Boxes 1 Considerations in Conducting Validation and Verification Simultaneously 10 2 Example of Setting Reference Scenario in Approved Methodology ID_AM003, Installation of Energy-Efficient Refrigerators Using Natural Refrigerant at 18
- 20. Food Industry Cold Storage and Frozen Food Processing Plant 3 How to Treat Confidential Information on a Project Design Document 41 4 How to Select from the Available Approved Methodologies 43 5 Selecting the Monitoring Option 47 6 Important Points to Consider in Preparing the Monitoring Plan 51 7 Items to Consider in Selecting Third-Party Entities 58 8 Recommendations for Proper Measurement and Quality Assurance and Quality Control Procedures 68 9 Examples of How Instrumental Errors Are Addressed 71
- 21. FOREWORD The Asian Development Bank (ADB) established its Carbon Market Program (CMP) in 2006 that continues to provide technical support and carbon finance to greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation activities in its developing member countries (DMCs). The CMP includes (i) the Asia Pacific Carbon Fund, (ii) the Future Carbon Fund, (iii) the Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism, and (iv) the Technical Support Facility (TSF). The TSF has been the main instrument through which ADB provides capacity building support to its DMCs for enhancing mitigation actions through carbon markets. Building on ADB’s strong expertise and experience in implementing previous technical assistance projects under the TSF, a regional capacity development technical assistance was designed to support DMCs in accessing carbon finance through new carbon market mechanisms, especially bilateral mechanisms such as the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). Initiated by the Government of Japan, JCM is a bilateral offset crediting mechanism with an objective to facilitate implementation of advanced low-carbon technologies that can mitigate GHG emissions in the host countries. The Paris Agreement, which was adopted in December 2015 and came in force in November 2016, signifies hope for the resurgence of carbon markets since it establishes the international policy infrastructure required to support carbon markets, at a domestic, regional and international level. Under Article 6(2), the Paris Agreement allows countries to voluntarily cooperate in meeting their nationally determined contributions by using “cooperative
- 22. approaches,” which may well spur further development of bilateral mechanisms such as the JCM. This handbook was developed under the technical assistance for Supporting the Use of Carbon Financing from New Carbon Market Mechanisms to Promote Green Growth in Asia and the Pacific, to provide project participants and other stakeholders practical guidance to develop JCM projects by taking the reader through each of the procedural steps of the JCM project development cycle that lead up to the issuance of JCM credits. Ma. Carmela D. Locsin Director General Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department Asian Development Bank
- 23. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This handbook draws on the knowledge product, Joint Crediting Mechanism: An Emerging Bilateral Crediting Mechanism, which provides information on bilateral mechanisms with specific reference to the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). It is a collaborative effort of the members of the Technical Support Facility, a component of the Carbon Market Program of the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It has been prepared under the regional technical assistance for Supporting the Use of Carbon Financing from New Carbon Market Mechanisms to Promote Green Growth in Asia and the Pacific. Ma. Carmela D. Locsin, director general, SDCC, encouraged the development of this handbook for use by project developers in ADB’s developing member countries. Preety Bhandari, director, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Division (SDCD), provided overall guidance, and Virender K. Duggal, principal climate change specialist (SDCD, SDCC), supervised the development of this handbook. The preparation of this handbook was made possible by the valuable contributions and technical inputs from; Ayato Kurokawa, climate finance specialist (consultant); Raymond Caguioa, carbon market expert (consultant); Takeshi Miyata, climate finance specialist (consultant); Kate Hughes, climate finance specialist (consultant); Muhammad Irfan Pawennei, carbon market expert (consultant); Shaymal Barman, carbon market expert (consultant); Ha Son, carbon market expert (consultant); Hanh Le, carbon market expert (consultant); and Jose Alfred Cantos, technical assistance coordinator (consultant).
- 24. ABBREVIATIONS BAU – business as usual CAR – corrective action request CDM – Clean Development Mechanism CL – clarification request COP – coefficient of performance CO2 – carbon dioxide CSPF – cooling seasonal performance factor DMC – developing member country EER – energy efficiency ratio EIA – environmental impact assessment FAR – forward action request GHG – greenhouse gas HOB – heat only boiler ISO – International Organization for Standardization JCM – Joint Crediting Mechanism JFJCM – Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism kW – kilowatt kWh – kilowatt-hour
- 25. LCA – life cycle analysis MOC – modalities of communication statement MPS – monitoring plan sheet MRS – monitoring report sheet MRV – monitoring, reporting, and verification MW – megawatt MWh – megawatt-hour NEDO – New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization PDD – project design document PMS – proposed methodology spreadsheet QA/QC – quality assurance and quality control RAC – room air conditioner SDIP – sustainable development implementation plan tCO2e – tons of carbon dioxide equivalent TPE – third-party entity
- 26. INTRODUCTION Purpose The purpose of this handbook is to provide project participants and relevant stakeholders with information on how to develop a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) project. The handbook can be used for potential project participants who are considering developing JCM projects, or project participants that have developed, or in the process of developing JCM projects. The handbook provides step-by- step guidance on how to develop a project in order to successfully achieve registration, and qualify to receive JCM credits. Target Audience The target audience for this handbook are potential and existing project participants. This handbook will also be useful for stakeholders within the carbon market that are interested in the JCM and how the JCM project cycle works. References This handbook has been prepared using official JCM documents approved by the Joint Committee of respective host countries. This includes, but is not limited to: Rules of Implementation for the Joint Crediting Mechanism; Joint Crediting Mechanism Project Cycle Procedure; Joint Crediting Mechanism Guidelines for Developing Proposed Methodology; Joint Crediting Mechanism Guidelines for
- 27. Developing Project Design Document and Monitoring Report; and Joint Crediting Mechanism Guidelines for Validation and Verification. The handbook also refers to approved methodologies, project design documents, monitoring reports, validation reports, and verification reports. Specific documents are referenced throughout this guide, and official JCM documents can also be found on the JCM website of each host country, accessed at https://www.jcm.go.jp/ Latest Information This handbook has been prepared based on the JCM rules and guidelines that are common to all host countries. To date, the rules and guidelines have largely been identical among all the JCM host countries in Asia and the Pacific. However, each Joint Committee in each host country has the authority to set its own rules and guidelines to implement the JCM in their country. It is therefore recommended that the project participants check with their country’s Joint Committee for the latest rules and guidelines prior to commencing a JCM project.
- 28. MODULE 1: OVERVIEW OF THE JOINT CREDITING MECHANISM 1.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE MODULE Module 1 provides an introduction to the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM).1 It explains what the JCM is, how it works and who the key stakeholders are. This module is divided into five subsections: (1.1) Introduction to the Module, (1.2) Objectives and Concepts, (1.3) Stakeholders and Governance Structure, (1.4) Rules and Guidelines, and (1.5) JCM Eligible Project Types. 1.2 OBJECTIVES AND CONCEPTS 1.2.1 Objectives The JCM aims to facilitate the diffusion of leading low-carbon technologies, products, systems, services, and infrastructure resulting in the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. JCM projects also contribute to the sustainable development and GHG reduction efforts of the host countries. The GHG emission reductions or removals achieved through the JCM projects are intended to be used by Japan, and the
- 29. host countries, to achieve their respective GHG emission reduction targets. 1.2.2 Relationship between Japan and host country JCM projects are implemented through bilateral agreements between Japan and individual host countries. As of September 2016, 16 countries have signed these bilateral agreements. The resulting GHG emission reductions that meet all of the requirements of the JCM process may be credited to the project participants of both participating countries. In this way, Japan and the host country will be able to use their portion of JCM credits towards their GHG emission reduction target. Japan can also provide financing for JCM projects through various financing schemes (outlined in Section 1.3). Figure 1.1 shows an overview of the scheme between Japan and each host country.
- 30. Figure 1.1: Overview of the Joint Crediting Mechanism Scheme GHG = greenhouse gas, JCM = Joint Crediting Mechanism, MRV = monitoring, reporting, and verification. Source: Adapted from Government of Japan documents. 1.2.3 Concept of calculating emission reductions The JCM was designed to take into consideration robust methodologies, transparency, and environmental integrity of its procedures, rules, and guidelines, while maintaining simplicity and practicality. Under the JCM, emission reductions are calculated as the difference between “reference emissions” and “project emissions.” Reference emissions are set at emissions estimated below business-as-usual (BAU) level. The details of calculating emission reductions are discussed in Module 3.
- 31. 1.2.4 Preventing double counting of emissions JCM procedures also address potential double counting of emission reductions by establishing registries in each host country and Japan, to track issued credits and corresponding registry account details. The use of these registries will also prevent registered JCM projects from being used under any other international climate mitigation mechanisms. 1.2.5 Total greenhouse gas emission reductions to date As of September 2016, there are 15 registered JCM projects with a potential to reduce 3,332 tons of carbon dioxide (tCO2) annually. The full list of registered projects can be found in Appendix 1. 1.3 STAKEHOLDERS AND GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE Figure 1.2 provides an overview of the various stakeholders involved in the JCM and their interface during the implementation of a JCM project.
- 32. Figure 1.2: Joint Crediting Mechanism Stakeholders and Roles GHG = greenhouse gas, JCM = Joint Crediting Mechanism, PDD = project design document. Source: Adapted from Government of Japan documents. The roles of individual stakeholders are explained below. Project Participants. A JCM project typically has two project participants: the main proponent of a JCM project (the project owner in the host country) and a project developer or a technology provider. The project participants prepare and submit a methodology (if required) and the project design document (PDD), implements the JCM project, monitors the project (including GHG emission reductions), and gets the
- 33. project validated and verified by an accredited third-party entity (TPE). The project participants are accordingly eligible to receive the issued JCM credits. Joint Committee. The Joint Committee is the governing body for the JCM in a particular host country. It comprises representatives from both the governments of Japan and the host country. It is responsible for, among others, the development of rules and guidelines for the implementation of the JCM, the approval of new methodologies, approval or rejection of proposed methodologies, registration of JCM projects, accreditation of TPEs, approval or rejection of requests for credit issuance, and developing the registries. Secretariat. The secretariat is established by the Joint Committee to manage the implementation of the JCM in a particular host country. The JCM secretariat services the Joint Committee and relevant stakeholders and is responsible for information dissemination to all parties. This includes publishing documents such as proposed methodologies and PDDs, conducting completeness check of PDDs and Monitoring Reports, and notifying and announcing decisions of the Joint Committee. Third-party entities. The TPEs are independent auditors designated by the Joint Committee to conduct validation and verification activities under the JCM in a particular host country. TPEs can be existing designated operational entities accredited by the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Executive Board, as well as International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14065 certification bodies. 1.4 RULES AND GUIDELINES For each host country there is a set of rules and guidelines for the implementation of the JCM (Table 1.1). All stakeholders are required to follow the latest version of the rules and guidelines issued by their respective Joint Committees. While they have been largely identical among all the JCM host countries there are a few exceptions on some details.2 The latest rules and guidelines, as well as forms and
- 34. spreadsheets required, are available on the JCM websites of each host country. A list of JCM websites of each host country can be found in Appendix 8. Table 1.1: Rules and Guidelines for the Joint Crediting Mechanism Purpose Rules and Guidelines Overall • Rules of Implementation for the Joint Crediting Mechanism • Joint Crediting Mechanism Project Cycle Procedure • Glossary of Terms • Joint Crediting Mechanism Guidelines for Designation as a Third-Party Entity Joint Committee • Rules of Procedures for the Joint Committee Methodology development • Joint Crediting Mechanism Guidelines for Developing Proposed Methodology Project procedures PDD • Joint Crediting Mechanism Guidelines for Developing Project Design Document and Monitoring Report Monitoring Validation • Joint Crediting Mechanism Guidelines for Validation and Verification Verification PDD = project design document. Source: The Joint Crediting Mechanism. Accessed on 15 September 2016 at https://www.jcm.go.jp/ 1.5 ELIGIBLE PROJECT TYPES In principle, any GHG reduction activity implemented in a host country and that falls under at least one of the eligible sectors can be developed as a JCM project, as long as it meets the rules and guidelines of the JCM. JCM project types are divided into the following 15 sectors:
- 35. (i) energy industry (renewable and nonrenewable sources), (ii) energy distribution, (iii) energy demand, (iv) manufacturing industries, (v) chemical industry, (vi) construction, (vii) transport, (viii) mining/mineral production, (ix) metal production, (x) fugitive emissions from fuel (solid, oil, and gas), (xi) fugitive emissions from production and consumption of halocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride, (xii) solvent use, (xiii) waste handling and disposal, (xiv) afforestation and reforestation,3 and (xv) agriculture. All registered projects so far are in the sectors of energy industry (renewable energy) and energy efficiencies under different sectors such as energy demand, manufacturing, and transport. The list of registered projects is in Appendix 1. An updated list can be found on the JCM website. In addition, there are seven eligible GHGs: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). Projects must result in a reduction (or removal) of one of these types of GHGs in order to be eligible.
- 36. MODULE 2: DEVELOPMENT OF JOINT CREDITING MECHANISM PROJECTS 2.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE MODULE Module 2 provides an overview of the development cycle of the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM).4 This module also provides information about support available in developing a JCM project and the approximate costs associated with the various stages. This module is divided into four subsections: (2.1) Introduction to the Module, (2.2) Project Development Cycle, (2.3) Financing Available for the JCM, and (2.4) Costs Associated with the JCM. 2.2 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT CYCLE Figure 2.1 provides an overview of the JCM project development cycle with the corresponding reference to the module where its detailed explanation is provided. The following subsections provide a brief explanation of each step.
- 37. Figure 2.1: Joint Crediting Mechanism Project Development Cycle JCM = Joint Crediting Mechanism, PDD = project design document. Source: Adapted from Government of Japan documents. 2.2.1 Methodology Development Methodology is defined in the JCM bilateral agreement as “a methodology applied to JCM projects for calculating emission reductions achieved by each project and monitoring the JCM project.” A JCM project must use an approved methodology or a combination of approved methodologies in order to be registered as a JCM project. Each approved methodology has specific eligibility criteria. If there is no approved methodology applicable to a proposed JCM project in the particular host country, the project participants will
- 38. have to develop a new methodology, or propose an amendment to an existing methodology, in order to proceed with the JCM.5 The process for having a methodology approved is outlined in the next section. Methodology development is discussed in detail under Module 3. If an applicable methodology is available for the proposed JCM project, project participants can proceed to the project design document (PDD) development. 2.2.2 Approval of Methodology The project entity submits the proposed methodology to the Joint Committee of the respective host country. The proposed methodology will then undergo a completeness check that takes up to 7 calendar days, followed by a period of 15 calendar days for public inputs. After the public inputs period, the proposed methodology will undergo assessment by the Joint Committee. This takes up to 60 calendar days (in the event that there are clarifications from the Joint Committee, the period could be extended up to 90 calendar days from the closing of public inputs).6 The methodology approval process is discussed in detail under Module 3. 2.2.3 Project Design Document Development The project participants prepares the PDD using the latest PDD form available on the JCM website and the monitoring spreadsheet from the approved methodology(ies). The purpose of the PDD is to provide a detailed overview of the proposed JCM project, including: (i) a project description, (ii) a description of the advanced low-carbon technology used,
- 39. (iii) a list of methodology eligibility conditions and explanation of how the project meet these conditions, (iv) estimated emission reductions, (v) the proposed monitoring plan, and (vi) an assessment of the expected impact of the project on the environment and information regarding local stakeholder consultation. The PDD is the key document in the JCM development procedure, and the main source of information for the validation, registration, verification of projects, and the issuance of JCM credits. The PDD should also be supplemented by a monitoring plan. The form for the monitoring plan is part of the methodology used. The PDD should follow the Joint Crediting Mechanism Guidelines for Developing Project Design Document and Monitoring Report, and the applied methodology(ies). PDD development is discussed in detail under Module 4. 2.2.4 Validation Validation is the independent evaluation of a proposed JCM project by a third-party entity (TPE). Validation assesses the projects’ compliance with the JCM requirements in accordance with the Guidelines for Validation and Verification. For each JCM project, a TPE accredited by the host country must be appointed by the project participants. The project participants submit the PDD and the modalities of communication statement (MOC)7 to the TPE and the secretariat simultanously, to initiate validation. Validation is carried out in line with the Guidelines for Validation and Verification. As part of the validation, the TPE also conducts a site visit and interviews local stakeholders, who are the “public, including individuals, groups, or communities affected, or likely to be affected, by the proposed JCM project or actions leading to the implementation
- 40. of such project, and local governments.”8 A period of 30 calendar days for public inputs is conducted by the secretariat simultaneously with the validation process by making the PDD publicly available through the JCM website. The proceedings of the public input period are noted by the TPE, and are considered during the validation. Based on the assessment and findings of the validation, the TPE prepares a validation report, which is submitted to the project participant.9 Validation can be conducted simultaneously with verification. Validation is discussed in detail under Module 5. 2.2.5 Registration Registration is the formal acceptance of a JCM project. Once the project participants receive a positive validation opinion from the TPE, the project participants may proceed to submit their PDD, validation report, MOC, and a completed JCM Project Registration Request Form to the secretariat10 to officially request registration. Submissions are done electronically. The proposed project will undergo a completeness check within 7 calendar days, and the project participants and the TPE will be notified of the conclusion regarding the completeness of the submission.11 Upon positive conclusion of the completeness check, the Joint Committee decides if the proposed JCM project will be registered. When the Joint Committee decides to register the proposed JCM project, the secretariat notifies each side, the project participants, and the TPE of the registration while making the relevant information on the project publicly available through the JCM website. Registration is discussed in detail under Module 6. 2.2.6 Monitoring
- 41. Monitoring is the collection of data and information from the implemented JCM project that is necessary for the calculation of GHG emission reductions in line with the monitoring plan included in the registered PDD. Once a project is implemented, monitoring of the required parameters should be carried out in accordance with the registered PDD. A monitoring period is the period of time that monitoring takes place for each monitoring report. There are no specific requirements regarding the length of a monitoring period. Project participants can choose the monitoring period based on their own assessment. Once monitoring is completed for a certain monitoring period, the collected data, information, and corresponding calculations for emission reductions are reported through the monitoring report using relevant sections of the registered PDD.12 The monitoring report is then used as the basis for the verification process and issuance of credits. Monitoring is discussed in detail under Module 7. 2.2.7 Verification Verification is the independent evaluation of the monitoring report (including data and emission reductions calculation) for a JCM project. It is carried out in line with the Guidelines for Validation and Verification. The implemented project is also assessed against the description in the registered PDD and methodology to ensure it complies.13 A verification report is prepared by the TPE containing the results and findings of the assessment and will be used as a basis for the amount of credits to be issued for the JCM project. During verification, the TPE may also conduct a site visit and interview relevant stakeholders. Verification can be conducted simultaneously with validation and is discussed in detail under Module 8.14
- 42. Box 1: Considerations in Conducting Validation and Verification Simultaneously The Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) allows validation and verification to be conducted simultaneously by the same third- party entity (TPE). This is one of the key features of the JCM and a difference with the Clean Development Mechanism. This allows project developers to concentrate their efforts on project development and starting operations in the early stages when resources are often stretched, and to handle JCM matters once the operation is on track. There is an added benefit of saving TPE costs. However, it needs to be noted that the project participants are taking both the registration risk and issuance risk by deferring the validation process until after the project is operational. They need to be confident at the beginning of operation that the project meets all JCM requirements so they can subsequently apply to attain registration status. Source: Authors. 2.2.8 Issuance of Credits JCM credits will be issued based on the results and findings of the verification report. Upon receiving the verification report from the TPE, project participants request issuance of credits by submitting a Credits Issuance Request Form, information on the allocation of credits among the project participants on a prorata basis, the verified monitoring report, and the verification report to the Joint Committee through the secretariat. After conducting the completeness check for 7 calendar days, the Joint Committee decides the amount of credits to be issued based on the verification report. Each government issues
- 43. the credits to the relevant accounts of the project participants in their respective registries. The secretariat archives all the data of issuance of credits and makes them publicly available through the JCM website. Issuance of credits is discussed in detail under Module 8. 2.3 FINANCING AVAILABLE FOR THE JOINT CREDITING MECHANISM 2.3.1 Introduction The current bilateral arrangements between Japan and different host countries do not authorize international trading of the JCM credits. Therefore, project participants cannot currently obtain emission reduction revenue by selling JCM credits to overseas buyers, unlike in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). While domestic trading of JCM credits may become possible once registries and appropriate national regulations are in place, such systems are yet to be established in JCM host countries. There are three sources of financial support currently available to JCM projects, as shown in the Table 2.1. They are the Model Project Program and the Demonstration Project Program provided through the Government of Japan, and the Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism provided through the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Table 2.1: Overview of Financing Support for Joint Crediting Mechanism Projects
- 44. Source: Authors. The Government of Japan has also provided funding for JCM feasibility studies since 2010, to source applicable advanced low- carbon technologies, source potential projects, and develop JCM methodologies. Over 400 feasibility studies have been conducted in over 40 countries so far, including 22 from Asia and the Pacific. Most projects under the Model and Demonstration Project Programs have successfully completed JCM feasibility studies funded by the Government of Japan prior to their selection. The above sources of financial support for JCM projects are provided during the initial phases of project development and implementation, and can supplement the initial investment cost or mitigate the financing cost of the JCM project. The availability of financing upfront can assist to overcome critical barriers for low-carbon projects, including high upfront investment costs or risks associated with project viability. 2.3.2 Government of Japan Joint Crediting Mechanism Model Project Program
- 45. Exploring the Variety of Random Documents with Different Content
- 46. Marjorie was eager for the undertaking. She stood on the shore, one foot dipped into the water, anxiously awaiting the signal for departure. At the first sound of the whistle she was in the stream, swimming with a long, even stroke for the opposite shore. Ethel Todd was by her side. “I do hope somebody finds them!” she called, as she brought her head out of the water. “But I guess we won’t be the ones to do it!” “No, it will probably be the girls who went down stream—with Miss Phillips!” “Then I hope it’s Frieda, and not Ruth! She has a swelled head already.” “Right you are!” agreed Ethel. They swam silently for several minutes, making good progress. As they neared the opposite shore they perceived how thick the undergrowth was, close to the shore. “The boats could be hidden there,” observed Ethel. “But hardly, unless somebody hid them!” objected Marjorie. “Because we’re not swimming with the current, Ethel.” “No, we aren’t! I hadn’t thought of that.” They were almost at the opposite bank now, but they saw no signs of canoes. “Tired yet?” asked Ethel. “Shall we go ashore?” “Not unless you want to,” replied Marjorie. “Then let’s swim along the bank, and look closely for them.”
- 47. The girls swam leisurely; the motion was no greater effort for them than walking. They had hardly gone fifty yards, however, before Marjorie caught sight of something shining under a group of low bushes. With a cry, she rushed forward. To their infinite joy they found, securely caught in the branches, the five bright, green canoes! “And the paddles are in them!” commented Ethel, as each girl climbed into a canoe. “Oh, Marj, don’t you wish we could take all five back at once?” “Yes, but we’ll get the others at camp to go back with us,” said Marjorie; “and we won’t blow the whistle till we have them all.” In a short time the girls at the camp had heard the news, and Alice and Doris volunteered to go back with them to get the other canoes. Then, with a great blast of the whistle, they summoned the other searchers. It was half an hour, however, before everyone gathered at the shore. “Ethel and Marjorie are the heroines!” cried Lily, triumphantly, after they had all heard the story. “No, Marjorie is!” protested Ethel, modestly. “It was she who found them.” Ruth looked annoyed. The irritation she had caused her captain was offset by the triumph Marjorie had gained; and she had to admit to herself that her trick was a failure. But Miss Phillips took all the blame upon herself.
- 49. CHAPTER IX BACK TO CIVILIZATION More than a week had gone by since the girls had left their homes; by this time they were quite accustomed to the peaceful routine of the trip. Indeed it seemed to Marjorie as if they had been gone much longer. During all this time they had not visited a town, and they slept under a roof only one night. But they did not mind the separation from civilization for a temporary period; it entailed no hardship to these nature-loving girls. Perhaps their greatest regret was that it was not possible for them to receive any mail. By Wednesday afternoon, however, Miss Phillips expected to reach Rikers. There it was possible that some of the girls might find letters awaiting them at the Post Office. “Now we’ll find out who are our really popular girls!” said Ruth, when they were near enough to the town to distinguish a church spire in the distance. She was confident that she would find at least two letters—one from her mother and one from Harold—so she knew that she was safe in making the remark. “I won’t get any,” observed Marjorie. “I forgot to tell mother we expected to stop there. How about you, Doris?” “I don’t know,” replied the girl, carelessly. “But I do know that we’ve got some water in our canoe. Do you see that, Marj?” Marjorie turned sharply around—she had been “resting up” in the bow—and looked at the bottom of the canoe. Doris was right; there
- 50. was about an inch of water. “Water?” echoed Ruth, who had overheard the remark. “Don’t you know it’s a sign of a very poor boatsman to splash water into the boat?” “Maybe it is,” admitted Marjorie; “nevertheless, it’s there. And I do believe it’s getting deeper. Look!” Miss Phillips paddled close at these words and peered anxiously into the Will-o’-the-Wisp. “It’s a leak!” she decided. “Evidently you have grazed a jagged rock or a tree-stump.” “Can it be fixed?” asked Doris, hastily making for the shore. “Oh, yes, quite easily,” replied the captain. “But since we are so near to Rikers, we might as well have it repaired there, for a real repair man would have more tools than we carry.” Marjorie and Doris directed the Will-o’-the-Wisp to the shore and got out while the others went a short distance farther down toward the regular place. Miss Phillips opened a box and took out five padlocks with chains. “We will put these on here,” she said. “If I only had used the precaution to do this on the island, we wouldn’t have had all that needless worry and loss of time.” “But it was exciting, you know,” argued Ruth. “Besides I can’t see why you are in such an awful hurry, Captain. The meet is still a week off!” “Yes, I know it is; nevertheless, it is too good an opportunity for pleasure for us to miss a day at Silvertown. I should think you would be one of the first to realize that, Ruth.”
- 51. Ruth said nothing; she did realize what a wonderful thing it would be to spend ten days at Silvertown. And yet she wanted to delay the canoe trip, for she knew to her dismay, that she was not making the progress she had hoped for. At a little trial race which they had arranged the preceding day, Marjorie had come in far ahead. Ruth was next, and Frieda close behind her; but none of the other girls gave her any cause for worry. She knew that she had endurance, and her ability to rescue a capsized canoe was really commendable. She even felt that putting forth a mighty effort, she might possibly be able to beat Marjorie, but it was very doubtful. And she knew that a mere presence of a leak in her canoe would not keep her opponent out of the race; for Marjorie could handle one canoe as well as another. At last, therefore, she made her decision: as a final resort, she would summon Harold Mason to her assistance. She would put the plan they had conceived of together to a test! As soon as Miss Phillips had locked the boats, and the girls had packed up the supplies which they did not care to leave in them, they all started for the town. It proved to be a surprisingly short walk; within a few minutes they had reached the main street, and were gazing into the windows of the shops as if they had not seen a store for months. “I think we shall put up at a little inn called the Green Tree.” said Miss Phillips. “I have heard it is very nice, and the rest will do you girls good. Particularly Frieda—” she added—“she needs a rest from cooking.” “But let’s go to the Post Office first!” pleaded Ruth. “I could never rest until I find out whether there is any mail.” “Well, then, Ruth, suppose you and Lily go for the mail—you will have to inquire where the Post Office is—while the rest of us go to the inn. Do you see that green and white house on the next street— on the corner? Well, that’s it.”
- 52. “We won’t get lost!” cried Ruth, joyfully seizing Lily’s hand. “See you again in five minutes!” she added. As the weary girls approached the inn they found its aspect most inviting. Evidently the structure itself was very old; the low, rambling, white building reminded them of the Revolutionary period. A wide lawn extended in front of the house, and to the left of the walk was an immense shade tree. “It isn’t hard to know where the inn got its name, is it?” said Miss Phillips, nodding in the direction of the big maple; “and isn’t it a beautiful tree!” “If the ‘inn’ proves to be as nice as the outside,” said Ethel, attempting a pun, “I’ll be satisfied.” The interior disclosed a central hall, with a reception room on either side. One of these was attractively furnished as a parlor; the other was obviously the office. Into the door of the latter Miss Phillips therefore entered. “Five nice rooms on the second floor!” announced the clerk, in answer to Miss Phillips’s request. “I think you ought ter like ’em, too!” “Is the house very old?” asked Marjorie, as they ascended the broad curved staircase. “Yes, very. George Washington stayed here one night, on his way to Philadelphia.” “Of course he did,” laughed Doris. “But say—is it haunted?” “I reckon!” answered the man. A moment later he flung open two or three doors and disclosed the bedrooms. There the girls beheld four-poster beds, Colonial rag
- 53. rugs, and snowy curtains at the windows. “It’s lovely!” exclaimed Miss Phillips. “We certainly ought to have a real rest. Now—” she waited for the clerk to depart—“has anybody any preference as to rooms? Select whichever you like.” “All right,” agreed Frances; “but let’s all stay together for a minute —till Ruth and Lily come back with the mail.” “A real bed!” exclaimed Marjorie, removing her shoes and throwing herself upon it. “It does seem like luxury now, doesn’t it?” she remarked. “And such a lot of space to dress in!” added Doris. “And hot water for a bath!” put in Ethel. The girls were indeed tremendously elated over the prospect of hot baths, leisurely dressing, and a dinner which they did not need prepare or clear away. For fifteen minutes they lay on the beds, chatting happily, and resting. So absorbed were they in their conversation, that they did not notice their captain’s absence until she returned. “I have phoned about your canoe, Marjorie,” she said, upon entering. “A very nice sounding voice told me that it could be fixed by tomorrow morning. I sent the key up by the servant.” Marjorie jumped up guiltily at the words of her officer. “Oh, Miss Phillips, I’m sorry,” she apologized; “I ought to have done it myself. But——” “Never mind,” laughed the captain. “It wasn’t really any trouble. And I’m glad it’s arranged. Now all you have to do is to enjoy yourselves.”
- 54. Their conversation was interrupted by the appearance of Ruth and Lily. Their hands were filled with letters, and their eyes sparkled with pleasure. “Did I get any?” cried Alice, jumping up at their entrance and rushing towards them. “Everybody got some,” answered Ruth. “Even Marj, who pretended nobody knew her address!” “I can’t imagine who—” she began, as Lily tossed the letter into her hands. Then, upon recognizing John Hadley’s handwriting, she became silent. But how he had found out the address was a mystery to her, and she was too shy to ask questions and run the risk of being teased. “You got lots of mail, didn’t you, Miss Phillips?” observed Ruth. The captain looked up smiling. “Yes, I received a lovely letter from the people who are responsible for this trip,” she replied. “People!” echoed Lily. “I thought it was a man!” “It is—but he happens to have a wife. It is she who wrote to me.” “Curses!” cried Ruth, melodramatically. “And here I’ve been setting my cap for our rich friend—thinking all the time that he surely was a bachelor.” “Well, I’m afraid you’ll get left then,” laughed Miss Phillips. “For he has a daughter about your age.” “A daughter!” repeated Marjorie. “Do we know her?” “Y-e-s,—I believe you have all met her.” “Is she a Girl Scout?”
- 55. “I believe she is.” Lily and Marjorie both grew tremendously excited. “A member of Pansy troop?” asked the latter. “That would be telling!” This last was uttered mysteriously; and the girls knew from their captain’s manner that she would give them no further information. When the scouts appeared in the dining room, all in uniform, they created quite a sensation among the other guests at the inn. The people looked up pleasantly as they passed, and one woman even came over to the captain to request a demonstration of scouting at the local church, an invitation which Miss Phillips was forced to decline on account of lack of time. All this while Ruth was scheming how to get away from the others to send her telegram to Harold. She regretted now that she had not seized the opportunity when she was with Lily; it would have been easier than after supper with all the others around. The girls sat on the porch until nearly dusk, when Miss Phillips suggested that they go to the movies. “At least, if they have a theatre,” added the captain. “Alice, will you run and ask the clerk?” In a moment the girl returned with an affirmative answer, and the whole crowd started off in the direction indicated by the clerk. The absence of trolley cars, the lack of congested traffic of any kind, made the town seem almost as quiet to the girls as the woods where they usually spent their evenings. After walking along for some minutes in silence, Lily Andrews first spoke. She stopped suddenly, right in the middle of the block, overcome by a serious thought.
- 56. “Captain Phillips!” she exclaimed abruptly, “how can we ever stay at Silvertown for ten days with nothing but our uniforms, a clean middy, and a change of underclothing?” She uttered the last word so loudly that Miss Phillips had to caution her that it might prove embarrassing if a passer-by should hear her. “I wondered that no one asked that question before,” she replied. “But I will put your minds at rest. Each girl will find a suit-case filled with her prettiest dresses and daintiest lingerie already there. I arranged with your mothers to pack them.” “How wonderful!” cried Marjorie, seizing her captain’s arm ecstatically. “You always think of everything, don’t you, Miss Phillips!” Inside the small picture-palace, they found that they could hardly refrain from laughing and talking. But they made a great effort to be quiet until they were out on the street again. “How about ice-cream?” suggested Lily. “I’ll treat the crowd.” “Fine!” agreed the girls. Ruth, however, excused herself. “I want to stop over at the Post Office and send mother a telegram,” she said, “just to let her know I’m all right.” “But wouldn’t a picture post-card be better?” asked Marjorie. “We can get them at the drug store, and a telegram might scare her.” “No, she expects a telegram,” replied Ruth firmly. The girl was truthful in one respect; she did send a telegram. However, it was not addressed to her mother, but to Harold Mason, and it contained only the word “NOW,” and was signed, “R. H.”
- 57. “And now,” she chuckled, as she traced her way back to the inn —“and now the real excitement begins!”
- 59. CHAPTER X THE FORD TO THE RESCUE Ever since his return from Princeton in June, Harold Mason had spent part of each day with his fair neighbor, Ruth Henry. More or less of a stranger in town, and having been away at college for four months, he had not formed any deep friendships with the young men of his own age. It was true that Jack Wilkinson had been fairly chummy with him, including him often among his crowd, in which Harold had always had a good time; but he had singled out no individual for his especial friend. Perhaps Ruth Henry was largely the cause of this. For the young people had spent as much time together as Mrs. Henry would permit, and as Ruth would spare away from Jack Wilkinson, with whom the old boy and girl friendship still persisted, in spite of the many disturbances between the former and Jack’s sister, Marjorie. Ruth and Harold had played tennis together almost every day, had sometimes gone for walks, and had taken a “spin” almost every evening after supper. The boy was deeply infatuated with his spirited young companion; now that she was away, he missed her most frightfully. He sometimes thought of looking for a summer job, but the hope that Ruth might telegraph to summon him to her aid prevented him. He wanted to be free to go the instant he received word. It was his dream day and night that she would want him, that he would be able to carry out the plan they had secretly plotted and that Ruth would win the meet at Silvertown. Perhaps she would be so overjoyed with his cleverness that she would obtain permission to invite him to Silvertown over the week end! He would take his Ford Sedan, and it would be the only car among the crowd; he would be
- 60. the most popular of young men, and Ruth, seeing how the others admired him, would be proud to claim him as her particular friend! It was, therefore, with a thrill of joy that he received the telegram and opened it to read the brief message. His eyes lit up instantly; then, glancing at his father who was awaiting the news, he stuffed the yellow paper into his pocket. “A peach of an invitation from Miles Carter!” he exclaimed. “A stag house-party! By Jupiter, I’m glad I’m not working—and have to miss it!” The explanation was, of course, made up on the spot; even the name was fictitious. Harold had just finished reading a book with such a character, and it was the first name that popped into his head. “When does it begin?” asked Mrs. Mason, who had just entered the room in time to hear the story. “Tomorrow, in time for dinner; Miles said last May that this might come off, if he could get a certain bungalow. But he said he wouldn’t know ahead of time, so he’d have to wire.” The boy smiled in satisfaction at his ingenious explanation; it certainly was not a bad extemporaneous one. He was trying to decide where to locate the party, when the very question was put by his father. “Where is it to be?” “Atlantic City!” he replied without the slightest hesitation. “Can I help you pack?” suggested his mother. “No, thanks,” said Harold, hastily, rather alarmed at the idea. His plan necessitated a complete disguise, and he had no desire for his
- 61. mother to catch a glimpse of it. “Going in the car?” asked his father. “Sure, Mike!” Once in his room he bolted the door and unlocked a big wooden chest which was beneath his bed. Then he drew out a bedraggled grey wig, with a beard and mustache to match, a complete make-up outfit, a mussed shirt and celluloid collar, a red necktie, a suit with baggy trousers, and a pair of old man’s shoes. “Pshaw, I forgot a hat!” he muttered. “Wouldn’t my spick and span Panama look ridiculous with this rig!” He sat down on the edge of the bed to think. At last he decided upon his own grey felt, which he thought he could twist so out of shape as to make it look appropriate. Next he packed these things, and locking all his dress and sport clothing in the wooden chest in the effort to deceive his mother into thinking he had taken them, he began to count his money. Fortunately, Harold Mason had his own bank account; for he could not guess just how much money he might need, and it would have been embarrassing indeed to have to ask his father for some, and have to make up other fictitious explanations. He made all his preparations, for he intended to start early Thursday morning. And by six o’clock he was on his way, his disguise in the suitcase in the back of the machine, and his copy of the map in his pocket. The road was good, and he knew the country well; there was no cause for delay. The distance covered by the canoes, slowly following the winding course of the stream, was made with great rapidity in the car. By noon he had reached the town from which Ruth had sent the telegram.
- 62. Although Harold’s mother had packed him some sandwiches, the boy was almost starved, and he made immediately for the only hotel in the town—the little Green Tree Inn. He had hardly entered the door, when a servant approached him. “Mr. Harold Mason?” he inquired. Harold stopped, amazed. How could anyone here know his name? “Yes,” he replied. “One of the young ladies left a letter here for you,” the boy said, producing an envelope from his pocket. While Harold ate his dinner he read Ruth’s letter, which went into the minutest details. It was a friendly, intimate letter, telling just where they expected to camp that night—which was in reality by the old mill, just opposite to the farm where, according to old Michael’s rumor, the weak-minded woman lived by herself. After Harold had paid his bill, and sat smoking, he counted the money in his pocket. Besides his bills and usual currency, he had been careful to bring along two gold pieces, for he knew that gold, above all other kinds of money, would prove attractive to ignorant people. Consulting his map, and comparing it with the details in Ruth’s letter, he saw he had only about seven miles to go. He was therefore in no hurry; there would be no action until the following morning. Indeed, he finally decided to spend the afternoon at Rikers and to get his supper there, and not start for the farm house until after seven o’clock. He would proceed leisurely until within five miles of the farm; then stop, pull down the curtains of the car, put up his mirror, and don his disguise. Then he would go on to the farm.
- 63. It was nearly nine o’clock when an old man, with shaggy grey hair and beard, and a dingy suit covered by an old dust-coat, arrived at the farm in his machine. He found the woman alone, just as Michael had said, but she did not appear feeble-minded. Though ignorant and uneducated, she seemed to possess all of her faculties. She was large and stout, and looked quite capable of taking care of a small farm with her own hands. And, as far as he could tell in the dark, the place seemed well kept. Harold got out of his machine slowly, as he thought a man of his years should walk, and lifted his hat. The woman was seated on the porch, rocking and resting. “Excuse me, ma’am,” he drawled, in a disguised voice, “but hev you happened to see a bunch of gals about yere any place?” The woman looked him all over before replying. Deciding that he was evidently from the country—one of her own kind—she answered: “Yes, sir; they’s a bunch of them acrost the stream yonder, campin’ out in tents. They come before sundown this evenin’.” “Sho! Hev any of them been over yere yet?” “No. I ain’t seen them close.” “Wal, listen,” said Harold, lowering his voice to a whisper, “Here’s a piece o’ news! one o’ them gals has run away—from her pap! And he’s a rich man, and has offered a good reward to them as ketches ’er. The gal’s name is Margie Wilkison. If you and me could ketch ’er —see—” he jingled his money in his pockets—“we’d go fifty-fifty! Huh?” The woman regarded him for a moment distrustfully. “I don’t know about that,” she said doubtfully. “How can I believe you?”
- 64. Harold took a five dollar gold piece out of his pocket, and held it alluringly close to her, so that she might see it in spite of the darkness. “This is yours—and more later,” he said, “if you promise to help me all you can. I don’t mean to harm the gal in any way; I jest want ’a keep ’er a prisoner yere till we get word to her pap. Then—maybe —five hundred a piece fer you and me!” The woman could not resist such a tempting offer; her eyes sparkled in the darkness, and she seized the gold piece with greedy hands. “Sure you ain’t doin’ no kind o’ kidnappin’?” she asked sharply. “I give you my word of it!” he replied solemnly. “But remember, whatever I say, you must pertend to her is true. For instance—you and me pertend to be married. You treat me like your old man! And can I sleep in the loft of your barn?” “I reckon!” answered the woman. “Want sumpthin’ to eat?” “No, thanks; I had my supper.” “How ’bout a nice ripe peach? My peaches is supposed to be the best in this here township.” “Don’t care if I do,” replied Harold, and he followed her into the kitchen. They sat for a while, talking, Harold leading his accomplice to tell him about the farm and the surrounding country. After about half an hour’s chat, they came back to the subject in question. “And how do you expect to get the girl over here?” asked the woman. “Go across and steal her?”
- 65. Harold laughed unguardedly, showing his regular, white teeth, which would have been almost a miracle for one of his assumed age. However, the oil lamp gave a dim light and the woman was unobserving; the incident passed without any notice. But the boy realized that he must take more precaution in the presence of the young people. “I expect her to come over yere,” he explained, “probably for milk, or butter, or something. And if she does, you invite her into the kitchen, and I’ll bolt the doors. Get an upstairs room ready, and of course I’ll continue to occupy the barn as long as the gals stay. There will be no scandal, no danger; you can assure yourself o’ that. All I want is the money. And remember—if we get it, it’s half yours!” Not long afterwards, he pumped himself a bucket of water, put his car into an unoccupied part of the barn, and crept up to his straw bed. Though the floor was hard, Harold slept well; he was having a great adventure; and best of all, he was going to make it possible for Ruth to win her heart’s desire.
- 67. CHAPTER XI IN QUEST OF PEACHES When the Girl Scouts finished their ice-cream, they sat for a few minutes in the little drug store at Rikers, waiting for Ruth to return from her errand. “She certainly is a devoted daughter,” remarked Alice, as she directed, with a spluttering, over-worked pen, a souvenir postal to her mother. “I never would think of sending a telegram!” “Ruth’s an only child,” explained Lily; “and it makes a difference, I can tell you.” “But you didn’t send your parents a telegram, Lil!” put in Marjorie. “No—they’re away, somewhere. But I do write often.” Tired of waiting for Ruth, the girls started toward the inn, and met her almost at the steps. They were glad of the opportunity to go to bed early that they might make a good start in the morning. “And today’s Thursday,” remarked Miss Phillips, as they left the inn before seven o’clock the following morning. “I think we ought to make it by Saturday night. I sent a postal announcing our arrival for then, anyhow.” “And to whom did you announce it?” asked Ruth, hoping to catch her captain unawares and cause her to give away the secret. But Miss Phillips only smiled knowingly. “This is the earliest start we have made yet,” she said; “but then we had no breakfast to cook, or tents to take down.”
- 68. The girls paddled steadily all day. At last they came in sight of the big mill which Miss Phillips had designated as their camping spot. Ruth, however, was less interested in that than in the farm near by; for, sure enough, it was there, only instead of being opposite the mill, it was on the same side of the stream, a little farther down. She had never confided to the other scouts the rumors that Michael had repeated about the woman who lived there. Indeed, she scarcely believed them herself, for she knew that gossiping people usually build stories about lonely, isolated lives. Nor had she any desire to frighten the girls; on the contrary she wanted to get Marjorie—and Frieda, if possible—to visit the farm. She resolutely kept all her information to herself. Only Harold Mason shared her knowledge. Once she was sure of the farm, her next problem was how to get Marjorie there on some ordinary pretext. But she did not have to think hard; the difficulty practically solved itself. Before their very eyes, as they passed by, loomed a whole orchard of magnificent peaches—just about ripe! To the scouts, who had eaten little except dried fruit since they had left home, the display was most alluring. And Ruth lost no opportunity in mentioning them at every chance, in order to make the girls’ mouths water all the more. Accordingly, the next morning, soon after breakfast, she remarked, “I’ve simply got to have some of those peaches! Captain, couldn’t Marj and I paddle back to that farm-house and buy some for the rest of the trip? Our supplies aren’t very heavy now, are they?” Miss Phillips considered; it was Friday. Even if the weather continued favorable and conditions good, they could not reach their destination before Saturday night. So there were two days left to the journey; and girls can eat a lot in two days. It was true, too, as Ruth said, that their baggage was light. So, for all these reasons Miss
- 69. Phillips gave her consent to Ruth’s proposal, cautioning her, however, not to buy too many. “I’ll give you a dollar out of the fund,” she said; “and you may buy as much as you can for that.” Ruth and Marjorie jumped up in great glee, and made haste to go and load their canoe. The others lingered a little. “We better go in Will-o’-the-Wisp,” said Ruth. “Doris, will you go with Lilian in Water-Witch?” “Anything to get some of those peaches!” “Don’t wait for us to come back here!” called Ruth; “we’ll paddle on, and meet you later. We can’t get lost; if we’re too speedy for you,” she added laughingly, “we’ll meet you at the next camp site— up by the bend!” “Well, don’t eat all the peaches!” called Ethel, as they started off. But Ruth was not yet satisfied; she had no intention of going to the farm herself. She knew she must, in some way, contrive to substitute Frieda for herself. Before they reached the bank, she stopped short. “Hang it all!” she exclaimed, apparently annoyed. “I’ve got a nail in my shoe.” “Shall I go get the hammer?” suggested Marjorie. “No—I’d better go, for if I can’t get it out, I’ll have to get the sneakers out of our bag. But say, this means delay. Could you go for the peaches by yourself?” “All right; certainly.”
- 70. “No, you better not, either,” decided Ruth, pretending to be very solicitous about Marjorie’s welfare; “you’d better get another girl. Ho —Frieda!” Frieda appeared in a second, accepted the explanation, and took Ruth’s place. The latter returned to the group of scouts, now ready to depart, and made elaborate pretense at fixing an imaginary nail in her shoe. The operation, however, seemed to be quickly performed; in less than five minutes the scouts had pushed off, with now only four instead of five canoes in the party. Meanwhile, Marjorie and Frieda made for the opposite direction. Arriving at their destination before the remainder of the party had even started, they tied their canoe securely to a tree-trunk, and walked towards the farm-house. “I hope whoever lives there doesn’t bite our heads off,” observed Marjorie. Looking all around, they saw no one in sight, and proceeded towards the front door. “Don’t go to the front door, Marj!” said Frieda, stopping suddenly. “Country people always use their kitchens most of all. Let’s go there!” Accordingly, they passed around to the rear of the house. Peering through the screen door of the kitchen, they beheld an attractive interior—neat and clean and well kept. At the far corner, beside the stove, they distinguished the stout figure of a woman bending over a pan. Marjorie knocked timidly. “Come in!” called the woman, cheerily. Then, turning around, she opened her eyes wide in amazement at the sight of the two young girls.
- 71. “How do you do?” said Marjorie pleasantly, as she and Frieda entered the big room. “We belong to the girls who camped last night a little way up the stream, and we want to know whether you will sell us a dollar’s worth of peaches. They looked delicious.” The woman smiled with pleasure. A workman loves to hear praise of his achievements, and the peach orchard was this lonely woman’s one happiness and pride. For the moment, she forgot the part she was to play in her sheer delight at the compliment. “Yes, I growed them all myself. Been livin’ here nigh on to thirty year—” she was about to say, “by myself” but caught herself in time, and added, “me and my husband. And if I do say it myself, it’s a fine crop of peaches I’ve got. I never have no trouble sellin’ them.” “And do you do all the work yourself?” questioned Frieda. “Doesn’t your husband help you?” The woman shook her head. “No, he runs the car into Besley and other towns and sells ’em, but I do all the growin’. He never seemed to have no luck. But set down a minnit, and I’ll give you some doughnuts and fresh milk.” “Thanks,” said Marjorie, gratefully. “But I almost think we oughtn’t to be so far behind the others——” “But it will take a while to pick the peaches,” interrupted the other; “and you might as well be restin’ and a refreshin’ yourselves. Set down!” The girls laughed good naturedly, and seated themselves upon a long wooden box which was evidently used for kindling. Just as they were handed their refreshments, an old man shuffled into the room. “Jim, these girls wants some peaches,” said the woman. “Will you go out and pick them a basket?”
- 72. “A dollar’s worth,” explained Marjorie, biting into her doughnut. The man nodded his head slowly, and then turned around and carefully closed the wooden door and bolted it. “First of all,” he drawled, “will you answer me one question. Be either of yez by any chance Margie Wilkison?” Marjorie dropped her doughnut into her lap in amazement. How could this man possibly know her name? But she never thought for a moment of attempting to conceal her identity. So she answered unhesitatingly. “Yes, my name is Marjorie Wilkinson. Why?” The old man squinted one eye, and, glorying in the completeness of his disguise, looked into her face. “You know why as good as I do, young leddy! They’s no use pretendin’!” At these words both girls sprang up instantly. There was something queer about the old creature—something uncanny! Both girls shuddered involuntarily, and with a common purpose started for the door, leaving their half-finished doughnuts on the table. But the man held up his hand. He had no intention of allowing them to escape thus easily. “Maybe you think we don’t know all about who you are!” he said mockingly. Marjorie looked helplessly at the woman. “Is he crazy?” she asked. “No, indeed,” replied the other. “He really knows what he’s talking about. And you do too, only you won’t own up to it!”
- 73. “Frieda!” said Marjorie, in a terrified voice. “We must get out of here immediately.” “Not so fast! Not so fast!” said the old man. “All the doors happen to be locked. But in case you think I mean to harm you, I’ll explain, though I know you’re only pretendin’ like you don’t know. “Miss, you know better’n I do that you ran away from your pap. And you must know as how he’s anxious to get you back. Though mebbe you’re not acquainted with the fact that he’s offered a thousand dollars’ reward to them as locates you and notifies him accordingly. Therefore, I mean to hold you—and your friend, too, to keep you company—until your pap gets my message and shows up to claim you and give me my reward. My wife jest had one of them new fangled arrangements for runnin’ water put in the house, and it cost us a pretty penny; the money’ll come in right handy. We’ve got a nice bedroom for you upstairs, so you might as well make yourselfs to home. Now is there anything I can do for you?” By this time Marjorie realized that he was really in earnest, though where he could have heard the strange story appalled her. She stood still, hopeless, in the centre of the room, and two great tears rolled down her cheeks. “It’s all a ghastly lie!” she cried. “You people are ordinary kidnappers—and that’s the meanest kind of criminal there is!” She flashed a look of intense hatred at them both. “My father knows all about where I am, and he gave me full permission to go with the scouts. If you don’t believe me, why don’t you telephone him?” “Easy, easy, me gal!” said the old man, with a cynical smile on his face. “It’s possible, of course, that we might have the wrong Margaret Wilkison, but I guess I’ll find that out. A thousand dollars would lift the mortgage from this yere farm!” “My name is Marjorie, not Margaret!” snapped the girl. “So you see you’re mistaken after all, and you might as well let us go! You’ll
- 74. never get anything but a jail sentence out of my father!” “Give me a chance to find that out; then, if I’m mistaken, I give you my word, I’ll let you both go.” “Well, then go phone now!” challenged Frieda. Though she had said nothing thus far, it was not because she was not greatly incensed. Had there been any hope of escape, she would have leaped at the old man, for she was exceptionally strong. But she realized that it was useless to attempt such a thing. “Yes, go!” commanded Marjorie; and she gave the man her telephone number. “Just see what my father says!” “I am going over to Besley now. We ain’t rich enough to have a telephone here. So make yourselfs comfortable, while I’m gone. Reckon I’ll lock the missis in, too, in case you all get too rambunctious for her!” With these words he unbolted the door and went out, locking it on the outside behind him. Frieda’s mind instantly flew to the windows, but they were completely covered by a heavy wire screening which was fastened to the window frame on the outside. “I’m sorry, girls,” said the woman, her voice softening with pity, “but he really won’t hurt you. He only wants the money. You don’t know how it feels to be poor all yer life and then see a chance to make a tidy sum, and not put all yer powers into gettin’ it. It’ll only be a matter of a day or two, and then you can join yer party again if you ain’t the one we’re lookin fer. And if you are, think how glad yer pap will be to see you again. Now—want to come upstairs?” The girls followed the woman half-heartedly up the crooked stair- case to the second floor, all the while watching for chances to escape. But they saw none.
- 75. The bedroom into which she led them was neat and clean, and the bed linen spotless. Marjorie silently thanked her for that, and sat down upon the chair beside the window. Here there was no wire screening—only netting, and the sash was wide open. The lovely air from the orchard floated in reminding them what a beautiful day it was outside. Marjorie secretly wished that Ruth were her fellow- sufferer, as originally planned; for somehow she felt that Ruth, with her cleverness, could rise superior to almost any contingency. “Well, Frieda, I guess we’re in for it!” she remarked as the door was closed, and the retreating footsteps of the woman could be heard going down stairs again. “And I suppose there’s no use getting excited over it. But it certainly is hard luck!” “Marj!” cried Frieda suddenly, in a doleful tone. “Suppose this makes us too late for the water meet!” The idea had not occurred to Marjorie. She looked thunderstruck for a moment, but upon consideration, dismissed the thought with her usual optimism. “It simply couldn’t, Frieda,” she reassured the other. “Today’s only Friday; the old sinner will surely find out today that he’s mistaken and let us go early tomorrow. It’s two days’ trip—we’ll only be a day late; and the meet isn’t till Wednesday. Oh, Frieda—” she jumped up and threw her arms around her companion—“I’d be so disappointed if I don’t have a chance to try for that cup!” The woman appeared with their luncheon, and the girls found themselves treated like royal guests. They slept in the afternoon, but by five o’clock the old man had not appeared, and Marjorie’s hopes sank. One day was lost!