Deadly protests against Guatemala hydro dam leave questions over UN Board’s project approval

by CMW2050 climate strategies, Global markets, Human rights in climate action, Sustainable developmentPosted on Comments are Disabled

In June, the UN Board of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) approved the contentious hydroelectric project Santa Ritadespite serious concerns over human rights violations. On 15 August 2014, a repressive security operation against the Q’eqchies communities of Cobán, Chisec and Raxruha by more than 1500 national police officers led to the forceful eviction of some 160 families resulting in three deaths, 50 injured, and a negative mark on the mechanism’s future. Carbon Market Watch is now calling for a formal investigation of the repressive actions and for the CDM’s Board to implement a grievance mechanism for affected communities.

Campaign Focus: CDM needs to catch up with social standards already in place for other mechanisms

by CMWGlobal markets, Human rights in climate action, Sustainable developmentPosted on Comments are Disabled

A new chance to address the shortcomings of the CDM to implement robust public participation rules was born last year at the climate change conference in Warsaw where Parties requested the UNFCCC secretariat to collect information on practices for local stakeholder consultation and providetechnical assistance for the development of guidelines upon the request of countries. In June, at a recent Africa Regional Workshop in Windhoek Namibia, Designated National Authorities (DNAs) discussed how improvements to the role of local stakeholder consultations could be made and how to sustainable development impacts of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects can be monitored. Carbon Market Watch participated at this two day capacity building workshop and highlighted that best practice guidance on how to implement existing rules is still needed.

Contentious Santa Rita hydro dam project given UN go ahead

by CMW2050 climate strategies, Global markets, Human rights in climate action, Sustainable developmentPosted on Comments are Disabled

In June, members of the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Executive Board unanimously approved the Santa Rita Hydroelectric dam project #9713 despite widespread concerns that the local stakeholder consultation was not conducted correctly resulting in alleged human rights violations.

When a CDM project reminds of civil war atmosphere (WT)

by CMWGlobal markets, Human rights in climate action, Sustainable developmentPosted on Comments are Disabled

AnnaIn 1996 peace was signed in Guatemala after 36 years of civil war (around 200,000 deaths, mostly Mayan people) and a new electricity law was ratified as a strategy of privatization and liberalization to attract foreign investment based on the exploitation of natural resources, laying basis of what is turning out to be nowadays an ecological and economical genocide.

Press release: Call for UN carbon credit mechanism to reject Guatemalan project following allegations of murder and intimidation

by Andrew CoileyGlobal markets, Human rights in climate action, Sustainable developmentPosted on Comments are Disabled

Guatemala City -Brussels – In a meeting starting today, the Executive Board of the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) will decide on whether to approve the Santa Rita Hydroelectric plant in Guatemala. The Peoples´Council of Tezulutlán and Carbon Market Watch call on the Board to reject this project because essential community consultation rules have been violated, tragically resulting in the alleged murders and intimidation of the affected community.

Press Release: CDM Executive Board rejects Bonyic Hydroelectric Project

by CMWGlobal markets, Human rights in climate actionPosted on Comments are Disabled

Warsaw, Panama City – Last week, the Clean Development Mechanism’s Executive Board rejected the request for registration of the Bonyic Hydroelectric Project in the Naso indigenous territory in Panama. This decision demonstrates that the Board has the authority to exclude projects that fail to meet CDM requirements, including rules on local stakeholder consultation.