UN launches new platform to offer stranded CDM carbon offsets

As part of the climate week in New York, the UN launched the “Go Climate Neutral Now” initiative- a new online platform to purchase carbon offsets generated by its Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The initiative attempts to boost demand for CDM credits on the voluntary carbon market and for the aviation sector but fails to dodge the sale of bogus carbon offsets.

UN offers new marketplace for stranded carbon offsets

Brussels, 22 September 2015. Today, at the climate week in New York, the UN launched the “Climate Credit Store”- a new online platform to purchase carbon offsets generated by its Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The initiative attempts to boost demand for CDM credits on the voluntary carbon market and for the aviation sector but fails to dodge the sale of bogus carbon offsets.

WATCH THIS! NGO Newsletter #12: Ever more uncertainty over Barro Blanco

Scroll down for French and Spanish On the first of September tensions in Panama heightened when heavy machinery moved very close to the Ngöbe-Bugle Comarca to complete the highly contested Barro Blanco hydro dam, which is registered under the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism. This was preceded by the forceful eviction of indigenous people camping next …

WATCH THIS! NGO Newsletter #12: Next round in the review of the Modalities and Procedures of the CDM – much potential but little development

Scroll down for French and Spanish The review of the Modalities and Procedures of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) went into the next round at the intersessions in Bonn in June 2015. With Paris just around the corner and market mechanisms further expected to play a role in the implementation of the commitments post 2020, …

Uncertainty over Barro Blanco’s CDM approval

On the first of September tensions in Panama heightened when heavy machinery moved very close to the Ngöbe-Bugle Comarca to complete the highly contested Barro Blanco hydro dam, which is registered under the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism. This was preceded by the forceful eviction of indigenous people camping next to the construction area by the national police. In response to a letter sent by Panamanian civil society groups, the CDM Board has now reminded Panama about its right to withdraw approval for the project, “if it deems appropriate”.

Submission to annotated agenda of the 85th CDM Board meeting

Carbon Market Watch welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the CDM Board on issues included in the annotated agenda of the 85th meeting, particularly on the following agenda items: Agenda item 2.2. Strategic planning and direction Action 4: online platform for voluntary cancellation Agenda item 2.3. Performance management Action 8: messages to CMP through …

Submission to annotated agenda of the 84th CDM Board meeting

Carbon Market Watch welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the CDM Board on issues included in the annotated agenda of the 84th meeting, particularly on the following agenda item: Agenda item 4.2. Procedures Action 26: Guidance to concept note on improvement of stakeholder consultation processes Agenda item 5. Relations with forums and other stakeholders …

Request to support due implementation of CDM rules re #3237: Barro Blanco Hydroelectric Project

Dear Mr Schneider, Dear Mr Buendia,
We, the April 10 Movement for the Defense of the Tabasara River (M-10), Alianza para la Conservacion y el Desarrollo (ACD) and Asociacion Ambientalista de Chiriqui (ASAMCHI), are writing to inform you about the decision of the Panamanian government to temporarily suspend the project Barro Blanco Hydroelectric Power Plant, in the Tabasara River, Panama (project number 3237). The decision was taken because of breaches of the national environmental impact assessment requirements, including shortcomings in the agreement with the locally affected indigenous communities.
In light of the recent decision that the CDM local stakeholder consultations are to be conducted “in accordance with applicable national regulations, if any.”1, we hereby ask the CDM Board to take action, including to coordinate with ongoing investigations, react to the suspension decision of the Panamanian government, and suspend the project upon finding non-compliance with the current CDM rules and procedures.

Response to the Letter from MEPs to the CDM Board on the Santa Rita hydroelectric plant project

Dear members of the European Parliament,
On behalf of the Chair of the CDM Executive Board, I would like to thank you for your communication of 20 May 2015, informing us of your serious concern about project 9713: Santa Rita Hydroelectric Plant. Your letter was made available to the CDM Executive Board (the Board).
I hereby inform you that project 9713” Santa Rita Hydroelectric Plant” was registered by the Board on 2 June 2014 after undergoing a review process at the request of Board members. The issues you raise in your letter were looked at during the course of this review and it was found that the proposed project activity had complied with the requirements of the CDM, including the local stakeholder consultation process. Further, the designated national authority (DNA) of Guatemala issued required letter of approval (dated 2 July 2012) confirming that the project will assist Guatemala in its efforts to achieve sustainable development. The DNA had also confirmed to the Board, in the course of the review of the project activity, that the local stakeholder consultation process was carried-out appropriately.