Examining perspectives and dimensions of clean development mechanism

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pravesh Aggarwal ◽  
Rupesh Aggarwal
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Clean Development Mechanism ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Stakeholders ◽  
Development Mechanism

Purpose This paper aims to critically evaluate the working of the clean development mechanism (CDM) particularly in developing and least developed countries in the light of recent developments. Design/methodology/approach Part I of the paper delves upon various international rules governing the CDM. Part II of the paper draws out the rationale behind the introduction of the CDM under the Kyoto Protocol so as to provide a basis for its critical assessment in actual practice, as dealt with in Part III. Finally, the paper makes a concluding remark and suggests a way forward. Findings It is submitted that the CDM suffers from a gamut of concerns, which need to be adequately addressed. The business-centric approach followed by the investors of CDM projects has been a major reason behind denial of social, economic and environmental benefits pertinent for attaining sustainable development in the developing countries. The urge to derive economic benefits resulting from their investment has made the developing countries more competitive but turn a blind eye to reduced standards maintained for sustainable development. Besides, long-term benefits arising out of such projects, along with greater public participation of local stakeholders in CDM activities, have usually taken a backseat. A need is there to involve the CDM in the agricultural sector, which would have long-term benefits. Besides, it is required to enhance local stakeholder consultation, which ensures that people affected by a CDM project can give a timely, meaningful input to a proposed project. In the 80th meeting of the CDM Executive Board, held in Bonn, it was further decided that the complaints of the local stakeholders shall be given effect through subsequent changes in the project design of the CDM pipeline, along with their consultation before the real start of the project. Greater participation will also be ensured through increased publically available data on CDM projects. Originality/value The paper is original and brings out some valuable suggestions to improve the working of the CDM.

scholarly journals The Clean development mechanism

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-112
Author(s):  
Yusuf Muchelulea ◽  
Kevin Mulama
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Technology Transfer ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Clean Development Mechanism ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
If Current ◽  
Development Mechanism

The Clean development mechanism (CDM) is a new tool for promoting sustainable development in developing countries. It was established by the Kyoto Protocol under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It promises developed countries certified emission reductions (CERs) if they comply with their quantified emission targets and developing countries sustainable development benefits if they participate and invest in clean renewable technologies. Energy development through investments in clean technology transfer can contribute to sustainable development. However, sustainable development will only be achieved if current barriers and gaps facing CDM project implementation in Kenya are mitigated or removed altogether paving way for the development of more CDM projects in Kenya.

scholarly journals The Economic Drivers and Environmental Outcomes of the Clean Development Mechanism in Vietnam

2011 ◽  
pp. 121-141
Author(s):  
Leonard Smith ◽  
Paul Dargusch ◽  
Sebastian Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Clean Development Mechanism ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Project Development ◽  
Least Developed Countries ◽  
Development Objectives ◽  
Development Mechanism

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is the principal source of carbon offsets in the global market, and is intended to be a key driver of sustainable development and technical transformation in developing countries. The distribution of CDM projects by country has been skewed, with over 75% of registered projects having taken place in just four countries, namely China, India, Brazil and Mexico. A change in this pattern of development may be occurring, however, as smaller developing countries become increasingly active in the carbon market. An example of this is the rapid rise in the number of CDM projects based in Vietnam since early 2009. This paper investigates factors contributing to the growth of CDM projects in Vietnam and describes some of the key features of the projects that have been developed. Hydropower projects are found to dominate new CDM project development in Vietnam. It is suggested that CDM project development in Vietnam may be a tool to support domestic energy security rather than being primarily driven by the intended climate change mitigation and sustainable development objectives of the CDM. It is also possible that Vietnam is emulating the development strategy of China, and may serve as a model for other members of the Least Developed Countries group. A country’s domestic policy choices are critical in determining its attractiveness as a host country for offset projects, and Vietnam’s policy strategies are successfully harnessing synergies between domestic agendas and regulated foreign markets.

Influencing sustainability by controlling future brownfields in Africa: a case study of Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 102-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikiale Gebreslase Gebremariam ◽  
Yuming Zhu ◽  
Naveed Ahmad ◽  
Dawit Nega Bekele
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Brownfield Redevelopment ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The increasing African population and economic growth leading to urbanisation continues to increase the need to redevelop brownfields as a strategy of encouraging sustainable development of cities, in particular in Ethiopia. However, the adoption of brownfield redevelopment in Ethiopia is at initial stage. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to highlight the framework based on grey-incidence decision-making approach to manage brownfields in African countries by taking Ethiopia as case example. The grey-incidence decision-making model integrates multiple factors such as economic, social, environmental, technical and associated risks and provides an effective decision-making and management tool for environmental practitioners and government agencies. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaires were used to collect data on terms and definitions of brownfield. The questions were prepared on the basis of currently used definitions developed by a number of developed countries. Moreover, this study utilises a grey-incidence decision-making approach to help in management and decision-making for the implementation of brownfield redevelopment projects (BRPs) in the remediated sites. Findings Standard definition of brownfield and essential guidelines for brownfield redevelopment is proposed for Ethiopian context. The research findings were tested and verified using literature data and survey from major stakeholders. In addition, the grey-incidence decision-making approach is applied for the evaluation of BRPs in the remediated sites. A framework is proposed to control future brownfields for African countries by taking Ethiopia as a case example. Originality/value This research stresses the significance of an urban structure to address sustainable development, and the need to consider redevelopment of brownfields and identify the potential for a specific government policy framework. This research provides the best opportunity for Ethiopia by devising an urban land policy and create a strategy to contribute social, economic, financial and environmental benefits. It also provides a foundation to solve environmental issues by involving all major stakeholders, including community citizens, environmentalists and government agencies, and it also serves as guidelines to transform brownfields into Greenfields; and finally, it contributes to achieve the 2030 UN global goals.

The Odd Couple: Uniting Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Development under the Clean Development Mechanism

2015 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Condon
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Foreign Aid ◽  
Clean Development Mechanism ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Path Dependence ◽  
Change Mitigation ◽  
Development Mechanism

AbstractThis article assesses the effectiveness of the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in meeting its twin aims of emission reductions and sustainable development. To date, the CDM has failed to achieve these goals. This article argues that the CDM’s shortcomings are due to path dependence, with the CDM stuck at a suboptimal equilibrium of insufficient institutions, capital and leadership. A reform scheme involving foreign direct investment, foreign aid and CDM amendments is prescribed for pushing the CDM to a more efficient and prosperous path. A properly functioning CDM would afford both developed and developing countries the opportunity to secure a more sustainable economic and environmental future.

scholarly journals Investing in Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Projects in Brazil

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Carlos Jacob Perera ◽  
Roberto Borges Kerr ◽  
Herbert Kimura ◽  
Fabiano Guasti Lima
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Clean Development Mechanism ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
The Future ◽  
Comprehensive Manner ◽  
Development Mechanism

The discussion about Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Projects has its roots in global warming and its consequences. CDM projects enable developed countries to offset the pollution generated by the acquisition of Certified Emission Reductions (CER), concerning the reduction of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions in developing countries. The article discusses the CDM in a comprehensive manner, based on the opinion of experts, and investigates the future of this market from 2012, the post-Kyoto period. The main results show that the CDM follows the principles of Sustainable Development, focusing on the climate changes and the profitability of projects. It shows that Brazil has real possibilities to act in the CER market which is expected to consolidate in the post-Kyoto. Controversial issues as the future of post-Kyoto, nuclear power and especially the conservation of forests, through the generation of CER, remain undefined.

Multi-utility framework: blockchain exchange platform for sustainable development

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Bou Abdo ◽  
Sherali Zeadally
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Blockchain Technology

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to design a sustainable development platform for water and energy peer-to-peer trading that is financially and economically feasible. Water and other resources are becoming scarcer every day, and developing countries are the neediest for an immediate intervention. Water, as a national need, is considered to be one of the most precious commodities, but it is also one of the main causes for conflicts in the 21st century. Rainwater harvesting and peer-to-peer trading of the harvested water is one of the most convenient, scalable and sustainable solutions but faces organization challenges such as the absence of suitable business models motivating normal users to sell their generated resources (such as water and energy), currency and financial settlement complexities and single utility markets. Design/methodology/approach This paper proposes a multi-utility trading platform based on the blockchain technology which can address the challenges faced by peer-to-peer trading for resources such as energy and water. Findings This paper presents a peer-to-peer multi-utility trading platform that solves the shortcomings of existing utility frameworks reported in the current literature. Originality/value This proposed platform meets the needs of developing countries as well as rural areas of developed countries. The open nature of the proposed design makes it suitable for adoption and use by various stakeholders.

Clean Development Mechanism for Power Infrastructures for China's Sustainable Development

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-452
Author(s):  
Liu Deshun ◽  
Taishi Sugiyama
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Clean Development Mechanism ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Developed Country ◽  
Important Principle ◽  
Social And Economic Development ◽  
Strategic Policy ◽  
Priority Needs ◽  
Development Mechanism

What is the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)? The establishment of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a significant achievement in the political negotiations on the implementation of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). CDM is stipulated in Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol (KP), where assisting developing country Parties in achieving sustainable development is explicitly listed as a purpose in parallel with the others. Developed country Parties are to be assisted in achieving compliance with their quantified emission limitation and reduction commitment (QELRC) under Article 3 by acquiring Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) accrued from the CDM. This win-win mechanism reflects two arguments: the responsibility of developed countries for past greenhouse gas emissions, and the legitimate priority needs of developing countries for their social and economic development and poverty eradication. It should be kept in mind, therefore, that when formulating the strategic policy of the CDM, one important principle to be followed is that CDM projects must be compatible with and supportive of national environments and sustainable development priorities and strategies of developing country Parties.

Dichotomous impacts on social and environmental sustainability: competitiveness and development levels matter

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor Doyle ◽  
Mauricio Perez Alaniz
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Dynamic Panel Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Competitiveness ◽  
Development Levels

Purpose Whereas in developed countries, sustainability primarily focuses on environmental topics, in developing countries the issues of poverty, development and equity are equally, if not more, important. The purpose of this paper is to apply measures of social and environmental sustainability to assess sustainable development for the period 2005–2015 across a sample of 94 countries for which relevant data are available. Countries include two groups: developed and developing countries. Design/methodology/approach Using the index-based approach introduced by the World Economic Forum in its Global Competitiveness Project, a range of indicators are collected for estimating trends in both social and environmental sustainability. For the panel of data identified, a dynamic panel data estimator method is applied to the data set constructed. This paper presents the empirical results identifying key competitiveness factors related to social and environmental sustainability (separately and combining both aspects in a comprehensive sustainability framework). Findings This study explores how sustainable competitiveness offers a comprehensive assessment of the inter-related dynamics of the social, the environmental and economic building blocks of sustainable development simultaneously. Performance impacts are found to differ substantially across two groups of countries depending on their development level. This highlights the challenges in shaping and achieving sustainable development goals. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is novel in examining the intersections between economic competitiveness and environmental and social sustainability addressing an identified research gap. In addition, the paper investigates the most important competitiveness pillars focusing on both strengths and weaknesses in sustainable competitiveness across developed and developing countries.

scholarly journals The clean development mechanism

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-191 ◽  
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.

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