Ethically Bankrupt: World Bank Defense of the HFC-23 Scandal

by CMWGlobal markets, Sustainable developmentPosted on No Comments

The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has published a response to the World Bank’s Q&A on HFC-23. Below the Executive Summary. You can download the pdf file here. Executive Summary: The United Nations Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) was created in 2003 to allow emission-reduction or removal projects in developing countries to earn carbon credits, each equivalent …

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Press Release: UN Delays Action on Carbon Market Scandal

by CMWEU carbon market, Global marketsPosted on No Comments

A coalition of environmental NGOs warned today that the UN CDM Executive Board is avoiding immediate and necessary action to address scandalous gaming of the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism because of conflicts of interest in the Board. A report due for release this evening regarding the controversial HFC-23 projects will reflect the insistence by Japanese, Chinese and Indian Board members to allow the continuation of the flawed methodology.

Key safeguards in the CDM appeals procedure (Newsletter #9)

by CMWHuman rights in climate action, Sustainable developmentPosted on Comments are Disabled

In Decision 2/CMP.5, the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol requested the Board to design procedures for appeals to challenge decisions by the CDM Executive Board and DOE performance[1]. The inclusion of an appeals procedure in the CDM project approval process presents a crucial opportunity for the Board to promote enhanced accountability, legitimacy and public trust …

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TÜV SÜD in the spotlight despite suspension (Newsletter #9)

by CMWGlobal markets, Sustainable developmentPosted on Comments are Disabled

While TÜV SÜD remains suspended, WWF has released an updated rating that shows that the shortcomings of CDM-certification agencies are lasting[1]. On a scale from A (best) to F (worst) the ‘best’ grade was a D, which was awarded only once. More than 900 projects have been evaluated for this analysis. The rating is based …

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Revising AM0025: Burning sludge as a fuel is a bad idea (Newsletter #9)

by CMWGlobal marketsPosted on Comments are Disabled

The Board may approve a recommendation by the Methodology Panel to revise AM0025 “Avoided emissions from organic waste through alternative waste treatment processes”. The draft revision shall clarify that project activities that process and upgrade biogas from anaerobic digestion to the quality of natural gas and then distribute it as energy via natural gas distribution …

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Guest comment: CDM landfill project under review undermines Philippine solid waste law (Newsletter #9)

by CMWGlobal markets, Sustainable developmentPosted on Comments are Disabled

Landfills have become more controversial in the Philippines ever since a “trash-slide” buried and killed over 200 waste-pickers in a mountain of garbage at an open dump in Manila in July 2000. Since then, after long years of campaigning, environmentalists and sustainability campaigners have succeeded in passing a landmark Solid Waste Management law. This law …

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The folly of CDM subsidies to replace domestic with imported coal (Newsletter #9)

by CMWGlobal marketsPosted on Comments are Disabled

During this week’s Board meeting, members will discuss 24 projects under review[1]. Amongst them is the 4000-MW super-critical coal plant owned by Costal Gujarat Power (Project Ref Number 3020) that claims to reduce 2,6 Mio tonnes of emissions for the next 10 years. But CDM Watch believes that this project does not generate any real …

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Digression: Clash of the Conventions (Newsletter #9)

by CMWGlobal marketsPosted on Comments are Disabled

The incredible profits made by HFC-23 projects are resulting in overproduction of cheap HCFC-22, and undermine global efforts under the Montreal Protocol to phase out HCFCs and move industry toward more environmentally friendly refrigerants. The Montreal Protocol agreed in 2007 to accelerate the phase-out of HCFCs not just because of their ozone-destroying properties but also …

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