Watch This! NGO Newsletter #14: Barro Blanco – construction nears completion without agreement with affected stakeholders

In February, 2015, the Panamanian government suspended construction of the Barro Blanco hydro dam after recognising the absence of agreement with affected stakeholders. One year later, the suspension has been lifted and the construction is close to completion. However, no dialogue or agreement with the affected local communities is within sight. One year ago, in …

The missing ingredients for successful climate mitigation

During the Paris negotiations in December publication of Carbon Market Watch’s policy brief revealed that long-term success of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) depends on having clear guidelines on stakeholder consultations, oversight of sustainable development impacts and sector-specific environmental criteria. The strategic plan for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the NAMA Facility revision process are crucial opportunities to acknowledge these success factors.

Paris outcomes: Carbon Market Watch Analysis of COP 21

From 30 November to 12 December 2015, Parties to the UNFCCC met in Paris to negotiate a new global climate treaty.

The Paris Agreement was a remarkable outcome, especially after the failures of Copenhagen. Almost all involved, including Carbon Market Watch, seemed surprised at how positive the outcome was. However, expectations had been carefully managed in the preceding years, so that aspirations of environmentalists to have a treaty that reflected the scientific reality by dividing up the remaining global carbon budget, had been downplayed into unreality.

Rich countries set to benefit from proposed carbon offsetting mechanism in Paris

Paris, 10 December. With less than 48 hours of negotiation time left, countries continue arguing about a new proposed carbon offsetting mechanism. Key concerns relate to doubts about the need for carbon offsets in the future, the inclusion of land use carbon offsets that are likely to open a new gigatonne loophole, and allowing developed …

WATCH THIS! NGO Newsletter #13: NAMAs

Scroll down for French and Spanish NAMAs state of play NAMA development has increased significantly in the past years, with 30% more NAMAs in development since December 2014. According to the NAMA Database by Ecofys,[i] which tracks NAMA development worldwide, up to October 2015 there were 162 NAMAs at different stages across 51 countries. NAMAs …

WATCH THIS! NGO Newsletter #13: Green Climate Fund Board in Zambia – Key Outcomes

Scroll down for French and Spanish Last week, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board held its last meeting before the upcoming climate talks in Paris. The Board approved its first eight projects in support of climate activities in developing countries, marking a major milestone in the evolution of the GCF. The projects were approved after …

Green Climate Fund urged to reject accreditation applications from HSBC and Crédit Agricole

With the aim to approve first projects before COP21 in Paris, today the Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) will consider the first 8 funding proposals to receive Fund’s resources. Despite the opposition from the civil society, the Fund is also considering to accredit two high profile fossil fuel funders – HSBC and Crédit Agricole, – that are aiming to channel the Fund’s resources.