Abstract
This article presents an analytical framework for analyzing Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in terms of their contribution to employment generation, equal distribution of CDM returns, and improvement of local air quality. It assesses 16 officially registered CDM projects with regard to whether they fulfill the two objectives required by the Kyoto Protocol: greenhouse gas emission reductions and contribution to sustainable development in the host country. While a large part (72%) of the total portfolio’s expected Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) are likely to represent real and measurable emission reductions, less than 1% are likely to contribute significantly to sustainable development in the host country. According to our analysis, there are currently no UNFCCC registered CDM projects that are likely to fulfill the Kyoto Protocol’s twofold objective of simultaneously delivering greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction and contributing to sustainable development.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bøhren Ø, Ødegaard BA (2001) Patterns of corporate ownership: insights from a unique data set. Nord J Polit Econ 27(1):55–86
De Montis A et al. (2000) MCDA and sustainable development – a comparison of methods, Working paper. Universita di Cagliari, Cagliari
Dobbelaere S (2004) Ownership, firm size and rent sharing in Bulgaria. Labour Econ 11(2):165–189
Greiner S, Michaelowa A (2003) Defining investment additionality for CDM projects – practical approaches. Energy Policy 31(10):1007–1015
Kelly C, Helme N (2000) Ensuring CDM project compatibility. Working paper. Center for Clean Air Policy, Washington (www.ccap.org)
Mygind N (2004) Shareholder, stakeholder-owner or broad stakeholder maximization, Copenhagen Business School. Working paper No. 53 presented at the IAFEP (International Association For the Economics of Participation) 12th Biannual Conference, Mending the Global Economy: A Role for Economic Participation. St. Mary’s University, Halifax, 8–10 July 2004
Scholz RW, Tietje O (2002) Embedded case study methods. Sage, Thousand Oaks, London
Sutter C (2003) Sustainability check-up for CDM projects: How to assess the sustainability of international projects under the Kyoto Protocol. Wissenschaftlicher Verlag, Berlin
Sutter C et al. (2001) Small-scale CDM. Opportunities and limits, study on behalf of Swiss development cooperation. Factor Consulting and Management AG, Zurich
UNFCCC (1997) Kyoto protocol to the UN framework convention on climate change. United Nations, New York
UNFCCC (2002) Report of the conference of the parties on its seventh session, held at Marrakesh from 29 October to 10 November 200, Addendum. Part two: action taken by the conference of the parties. Volume II. FCCC/CP/2001/13/Add.2
UNFCCC (2005) CDM projects and methodologies database. http://unfccc.int/2860.php/
United Nations (2005) Millennium development goals. http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sutter, C., Parreño, J.C. Does the current Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) deliver its sustainable development claim? An analysis of officially registered CDM projects. Climatic Change 84, 75–90 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-007-9269-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-007-9269-9