> 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/essential-principles-for-high-quality-carbon-dioxide-removal/additionality-and-baselines.md).

# Additionality and Baselines

Removals are additional if they would not have occurred without carbon finance. The baseline of a project is a conservative estimate of the carbon and other GHG impacts that would have occurred without carbon finance (the “counterfactual”). 

### Project Developers Must

* Show that they require carbon finance to implement the project. 
* When there are multiple finance streams supporting a project, projects are considered additional if revenue from the sale of carbon credits is required to initiate project activities. 
* Show that the project is not required by existing laws, regulations, or other binding obligations. 
* Show that project activities are not “common practice,” even in the absence of financial or regulatory incentives. 
* Quantify the removals claimed relative to the most plausible baseline for carbon stocks and flows, i.e., the counterfactual in the absence of carbon finance. 
* Baselines must account for both recent and projected changes in carbon and other GHG stocks and flows. 
* Baselines must be conservative and site specific.

### Project Developers Should

* Provide full project financial information to demonstrate financial additionality, particularly where multiple revenue streams are present.