The Latest on HFC-23 (Newsletter #17)

At its next meeting, the CDM Executive Board will debate proposed revisions to the HFC-23 methodology and whether to  renew  the crediting period for the Ulsan HFC-23 project. Shortly after, Parties in Durban will again discuss whether to allow new HCFC-22 facilities in the CDM. We explain why the new methodology is innovative but not …

CDM Watch at work (Newsletter #17)

Over the last two months, CDM Watch has been busy providing input to policy discussions and analyzing and speaking out against contentious projects. Below a list of our recent submissions and publications CDM Watch Press Releases –          New UNFCCC report confirms coal power offset projects will generate millions of artificial carbon credits (10.11.2011) –          New …

Coal Power Undermines CDM Integrity (Newsletter #17)

Two new studies confirm that coal power plants in CDM are not additional and are severely over credited. CDM Watch calls for the removal of this project type from the CDM. Coal currently generates over 40% of the world’s electricity. Coal use is the leading cause of climate change and local air pollution For example, …

CDM Watch Newsletter #17, November 2011

Dear friends,

As the upcoming COP-17 in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal is nearly here, we are happy to share our latest newsletter with you. We focus on important policy changes that need to be addressed in Durban.

Press Release: New Study Finds CDM Coal Projects Undermine Climate Goals while Receiving Billions in Climate Finance

Brussels. A study released today identifies deep systematic flaws in the crediting rules of coal plants under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The research also shows that they do not reduce emissions compared to business as usual but could earn 451 million artificial carbon credits by 2020 and claim billions of Euros in climate finance. CDM Watch calls for the removal of this project type from the CDM.

Summary of CDM Executive Board Meeting 63

Download pdf here Summary of CDM Executive Board Meeting 63 Held in Ecuador, 25 – 29 September 2011 __________________________________________________________________________ Dear readers,                                                                                                                                     Brussels, 6 October 2011 CDM Watch summarizes the most relevant outcomes of the last CDM Executive Board meeting. The 64th Board meeting will be held 24-26 October 2011, less than a month from …

Press Release: Large hydro project in India under scrutiny – Wikileaks puts integrity of UN carbon offsetting scheme under question

Brussels. CDM Watch and International Rivers call on the CDM Executive Board to reject the mega Rampur Hydroelectric Project in India from receiving CDM carbon credits because it does not comply with essential CDM requirements. They also call on the Swedish Energy Agency, as a party involved in the project, to prove compliance with World Commission of Dams criteria.

Boosting CDM projects in LDCs: An introduction to suppressed demand (Newsletter #16)

The very poor have such small carbon footprints that it is difficult to implement CDM projects that target them, since there are practically no emissions to reduce. The concept of ‘suppressed demand’ tries to take into account the fact that emissions would be much higher if the poor had access to energy and goods. Is …