When creating the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), the Kyoto Protocol described three main aims: meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets, sustainable development, and providing emissions cuts for the lowest cost. This study argues that these three aims represent powerful discourses, justifying the European Union’s continued reliance on offset credits from the CDM. Furthermore, when advising policy-makers, NGOs may find it difficult to overtly oppose offsetting due to the power of these ideas. However, it also argues that these three discourses may provide some opportunities for NGOs to form new narratives, highlighting some of the contradictions inherent in offsetting.
EU governments miss crucial deadline to pass new Emissions Trading System into national legislation
04/09/2024
All but one European Union member state have fallen foul of the date to enter the new Emissions Trading System for road transport and buildings (ETS2) in the national law books. This delay sends completely the wrong signal, argues Eleanor Scott.
