The effects of leadership in Clean Development Mechanism low-carbon operations

Abstract The Spiking Gas Compressor project was installed in 2014, which reduces 65,000 tons of Carbon-di-oxide (CO2) emission annually. This was subsequently registered as a CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) project under UN convention and incidentally this was the first ADNOC project to be under this registration. The registration is the first step to claim for Carbon Credits under United Nations Framework of Clean Climate Convention (UNFCCC) scheme. No Carbon Credits were claimed under CDM since its commissioning in 2014 due to low carbon price. In 2019, we achieved the next big milestone of trading these accumulated carbon credits to an Austrian MNC. M/s MASDAR, pioneer in this field, who are also partner of ADNOC onshore in this green project, arranged an Upstream Emission Reduction (UER) buyer. The transaction is worth 65,000 tons of CO2 reduction and considerable monetary benefit. This transaction assumes significance not in terms of monetary value but a global recognition to ADNOC as a company amongst the leading players in the global arena in reducing the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. This project is the first & largest Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) registered in Oil & Gas industry in UAE. United Nations Framework Convention on Clean Climate (UNFCCC) recognized flare gas recovery through Spiking Gas Project as Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project to generate Carbon Credits. The project demonstrates the commitment and support of Abu Dhabi Government and ADNOC towards climate change mitigation measures. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project demonstrated successful partnership with Masdar. The project was converted into to UER scheme. ADNOC Onshore & Masdar arranged a Buyer. Later, in compliance to ISO 14064/65, post Validation/ Verification by external auditors brought a considerable revenue to ADNOC.

Download Full-text

The clean development mechanism

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management ◽

10.1108/ijccsm-03-2013-0033 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 166-191 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Martin Burian ◽

Christof Arens

Keyword(s):

Clean Development Mechanism ◽

Technical Assistance ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Low Carbon ◽

Least Developed Countries ◽

African Countries ◽

Content Type ◽

Per Capita ◽

Development Mechanism

Purpose – Since the registration of the first clean development mechanism (CDM) project in 2004, the CDM has seen a dynamic expansion: the CDM pipeline currently comprises 6,725 projects generating 2.73 billion certified emission reductions (CERs) up to 2012. These CERs result in a substantial financial flow from Annex I to Non-Annex I countries. But CDM projects also result in investments in low carbon technologies, a substantial share of which is focused on the energy sector. The total installed capacity of all CDM projects amounts to 288,944 MW. However, the CDM is not widely taken up in Africa. This holds true for Africa's share in the CDM project pipeline (2.62 per cent), for Africa's share in CERs generated up to 2012 (3.58 per cent) and for the normalized CERs per capita, per country. Two hypothesizes are commonly discussed: first, the continent features low per capita emissions and low abatement potentials. Second, African countries may be hampered by weak institutional frameworks. This article reviews both hypotheses and presents new empirical data. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Investigating the greenhouse gas (GHS) abatement potential of 16 energy-related sectors for 11 selected least developed countries in sub-Saharan Africa shows a total theoretical CDM potential of 128.6 million CERs per year. Analyzing investment indicators confirms that most countries are impeded by below average investment conditions. Findings – It is concluded that Africa offers a considerable range of substantial abatement potentials. However, the weak institutional framework is limiting the uptake of the CDM in Africa. This is underpinned by an analysis which shows if a CDM sector has high investment cost, Africa will have a low share in the sector. If the sector has low investment needs per CER, Africa's share in the CDM sector will be bigger. Investment needs and Africa's share in the pipeline feature a negative correlation. Research limitations/implications – Supporting CDM development in Africa should not be constraint to technical assistance. It will be crucial to develop an integrated financing approach, comprising the CDM as a co-financing mechanism, to overcome the institutional challenges. Originality/value – Until today, there are few empirical studies that use concrete criteria and indicators to show why the CDM is underrepresented in Africa. The work presented here contributes to filling this gap.

Download Full-text