NGOs and the Clean Development Mechanism – constraints and opportunities in the discourse of EU consultations

by CMWEU carbon market, Global markets, Sustainable developmentPosted on No Comments

When creating the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), the Kyoto Protocol described three main aims: meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets, sustainable development, and providing emissions cuts for the lowest cost. This study argues that these three aims represent powerful discourses, justifying the European Union’s continued reliance on offset credits from the CDM. Furthermore, when advising policy-makers, …

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UN Under Pressure to Halt Gaming and Abuse of CDM

by CMWGlobal marketsPosted on No Comments

CDM Watch has confronted the United Nations with new evidence that alleged emissions reductions from HFC-23 destruction projects under the CDM offsetting mechanism are actually increasing global greenhouse gas emissions. The evidence was put forward in an official submission which calls for a benchmark to cut the inflated number of carbon credits generated by these …

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The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) – (ab)used by Germany?

by CMWGlobal markets, Sustainable developmentPosted on No Comments

Deutsche CDM-Projekte und staatliche Steuerung der Projektnutzung – Nicola Jaeger, Berlin 2010. This thesis offers a comprehensive and well-researched overview of the CDM and its current situation in Germany. Analysing current academic discussions, the author critically looks at market-based approaches to the climate crisis and international politics. Particular focus is on the qualitative and quantitative …

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Additionality Please!: A Study and Evaluation

by CMWGlobal markets, Sustainable developmentPosted on No Comments

download pdf file An in depth look into measuring additionality from studies in India’s electricity sector and other Chinese and Indian project documents by Barbara Haya at UC Berkeley’s Energy and Resources group. Some snippets: “Our inability to accurately measure how much individual projects reduce emissions, compounded by the current and future use of offsetting credits …

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Bottom-up approach to enhance communication with stakeholders (Newsletter #8)

by CMWSustainable developmentPosted on Comments are Disabled

Decision 2/CMP.5 also requests the Executive Board to enhance the interaction and communication between the Board and stakeholders. The Board responded to this request by mandating the secretariat to initiate activities and to present a first report during this 54th Board meeting. With the aim to enhance communication between the Board and civil society, also …

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Key safeguards in the future CDM appeals procedure (Newsletter #8)

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 – following consultation with stakeholder – procedures for appeals to challenge decisions by the CDM Executive Board and DOE performance[1]. Therefore, the Board lodged a call for inputs from stakeholders and will discuss the input received for the first time during …

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Fresh food for thought needed to control additionality related to national policies (E+/E-) (Newsletter #8)

by CMWGlobal markets, Sustainable developmentPosted on Comments are Disabled

In 2009, several wind projects in China were rejected because they were found to be non-additional[1]. The underlying argument assumed that feed-in tariffs were lowered compared to historic subsidies so to ensure that the projects qualify for the CDM, thus, making them non-additional. Approving CDM credits to non-additional technologies does damage in two ways: it …

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Biodiesel in the CDM: handle with care (Newsletter #8)

by CMWGlobal marketsPosted on Comments are Disabled

When approving of the first large scale biodiesel methodology (ACM0017) in September 2009, the Board sent a clear signal to the carbon market that CDM doors are open to biodiesel production from food crops that have specifically been grown for fuel[1]. Shortly after the approval of this first methodology two new small scale methodologies (NM009 …

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No grace periods for flawed methodologies (Newsletter #8)

by CMWGlobal marketsPosted on Comments are Disabled

During this meeting, the Board will also discuss a draft procedure for the submission and consideration of requests for revision of approved baseline and monitoring methodologies and tools for large scale CDM project activities. As part of this discussion, CDM Watch strongly urges the Board to address a serious related flaw in the CDM procedures: …

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