First programme of activities sees first issuance of CERs

Bonn, 27 December 2012 – With the issuance of around 19 ,000 certified emission reductions (CERs), the Clean Development Mechanism’s first registered programme of activities (PoA), a project in Mexico that distributes energy efficient light bulbs, has also become the first PoA to be issued CERs, marking yet another milestone in the evolution of the CDM. Since summer 2011, an average of 18 PoAs has entered validation per month. With a total of 57 registered programmes and more than 300 others in the pipeline, PoA is showing its potential to scale up the CDM and bring its benefits to less developed regions and rural communities. Under PoA, an unlimited number of project activities over a wide area, even across national borders, can be administered under a single programme umbrella. By reducing administrative burden, and being able to accommodate a great many smaller projects activities, PoA can extend the benefits of the CDM. In comparison to regular CDM project activities, a considerably higher proportion of PoAs is hosted by least developed countries, many of them in Africa. And, most PoAs promote technologies with significant co-benefits for the local communities, for example through use energy efficient cookstoves and lighting, installation of solar energy capacity and provision of clean drinking water. The CUIDEMOS Mexico — Smart Use of Energy programme is not only the first PoA receiving CERs, but also the first programme of activities ever registered under the CDM, back in July 2009. Providing energy efficient light bulbs to households, this pioneer project set an example for programmes that followed. Over the past year, the CDM Executive Board has spent much effort to enhance access to PoA and develop methodologies with particular focus on the needs of rural populations. Further information on PoA in general and individual programmes in particular is available here: <http://cdm.unfccc.int/ProgrammeOfActivities/index.html> The issuance status of the CUIDEMOS Mexico programme can be viewed here: <http://cdm.unfccc.int/ProgrammeOfActivities/FS_POA/2535-0001/index.html> General information on the CUIDEMOS programme is published here: <http://cdm.unfccc.int/ProgrammeOfActivities/poa_db/17BH6AJX524TYQUZF8KGCWV3OIPSE9/view>