UNFCCC releases report on the benefits of the Kyoto Protocol’s clean development mechanism

UNFCCC releases report on the benefits of the Kyoto Protocol’s clean development mechanism

(Bonn, 20 November 2012) – The UNFCCC secretariat has
released new research that shows the Kyoto Protocol’s clean
development mechanism (CDM) has spurred billions of dollars
of investment in projects that curb greenhouse gases and
contribute to sustainable development. The report, titled
Benefits of the Clean Development Mechanism 2012, answers in
the affirmative, with numbers and analysis on the questions:
Is the CDM fulfilling its design objectives and is it
providing other benefits along the way for developing
countries?

The study examined roughly 4,000 CDM project activities with
respect to their contributions to sustainable development,
technology transfer and regional distribution. The report,
now available on the UNFCCC CDM website
http://cdm.unfccc.int/about/dev_ben/index.html , also
includes revised estimates of finance and costs for various
types of projects, and new estimates of savings and revenue
due to the use of the certified emission reductions (CERs)
produced by CDM projects.

Report highlights:
* USD 215.4 billion investment in CDM projects spurred by
the end of 2012 in developing countries.
* USD 21.5–43 billion estimated foreign investment as a
result of CDM projects to date.
* USD 3.6 billion estimated compliance savings to Annex I
Parties under the Kyoto Protocol.
* Top 5 technology and “know-how” suppliers for CDM projects
are Germany, USA, Denmark, Japan and China; the CDM helps
generate and support green growth programmes globally.
* 110,000 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity from
CDM projects.
* The CDM has effectively designed a set of indicators for
reporting on sustainable development in host countries.
* CDM facilitates the transfer of technology and knowledge
to developing countries.
* CDM projects make more efficient use of capital invested:
15% (solar photovoltaic) to 50% (geothermal and solar
thermal power) less capital intensive than non-CDM projects
in developed countries.

For further information, please contact:
David Abbass, Public Information Officer, UNFCCC
CDM-Press@unfccc.int, +49 (0) 228-815-1511

About the CDM
The clean development mechanism allows emission-reduction
projects in developing countries to earn certified emission
reductions (CERs), each equivalent to one tonne of CO2. CERs
can be traded and sold, and used by industrialized countries
to meet emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol.
There are more than 5,000 registered CDM projects in 81
developing countries. To date, more than one billion CERs
have been issued.