Although the stakeholder consultation process is a key requirement in the CDM process cycle, it has so far been treated as a mere formality. Often communities impacted by CDM projects are not informed about CDM projects or not given an accurate account of expected impacts. Moreover, civil society has now way of knowing about the short 30-day public commenting period that is only announced online and only allows submissions in English. You can find out more about the possibilities for public participation throughout the project cycle in the section Your voice in the CDM
Good governance is essential. More than 7,000 projects are currently in the CDM pipeline and will be operational for many years to come. To give local stakeholders adequate opportunities to raise concerns strong rules and procedures for stakeholder involvement during the whole CDM project cycle are needed.
Grievance Mechanisms
Currently, there is no opportunity for civil society to raise concerns while a project is operational. It is essential that project-affected peoples and communities and civil society groups have the right to appeal decisions by the CDM Executive Board and more broadly the right to seek recourse when CDM project activities cause harm to communities and the environment at any point during the project cycle.
| Problematic CDM Projects to WATCH ON!Nallakonda – Wind farm project, India |
Robust grievance mechanisms both, at international as well as national and local level must be put in place to ensure that those who may be negatively impacted by CDM project activities can raise their concerns and have them addressed in a timely manner. If national laws are violated, the Designated National Authority (DNA) must be responsible to revoke letter of approval. Members of civil society must be entitled to report abuses of national law to the responsible local authorities. These local authorities must be responsible to report to the DNA. If there is reasonable doubt, such as a court order, that a CDM project violates laws, the CDM project must be suspended. Further, there must be a mechanism to deregister a CDM project and its CERs if it is found that the project is not meeting its objectives.
