> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://aetlas.gitbook.io/aetlas/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://aetlas.gitbook.io/aetlas/for-project-developers/references-and-other-guidance/additional-principles-for-forestation-and-agroforestry-projects/leakage.md). # Leakage PROJECT DEVELOPERS MUST * Provide robust and conservative estimates of leakage rates and justify the methods used to quantify the leakage rate. * Ensure proper accounting for leakage deductions. This includes quantifying leakage when project activities displace any existing economic activities, and these existing economic activities shift outside the project boundaries. * When claiming low leakage rates, provide evidence that project lands are degraded, have low economic value, or that project activities do not significantly displace existing land uses. Evidence must show that either: * There has been minimal agriculture land cover over the preceding decade, the project is not sited in an area of active land cover change, and that the lands are predicted to have low likelihood of future use for agriculture. * Tree planting is integrated into ongoing agricultural practices using sustainable agroforestry systems. PROJECT DEVELOPERS SHOULD * Use remotely sensed land use data to determine leakage estimates, especially when coupled with models of land-use change. * Establish contractual agreements that prevent activity leakage. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://aetlas.gitbook.io/aetlas/for-project-developers/references-and-other-guidance/additional-principles-for-forestation-and-agroforestry-projects/leakage.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.