Governance

UNFCCC Secretariat

The UNFCCC Secretariat supports cooperative action by States to combat climate change and its impacts on humanity and ecosystems. This is a contribution to a sustainable world and to realizing the vision of peace, security and human dignity on which the UN is founded.

CMP

The Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol

CMP stands for the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. The Conference of the Parties refers to the Parties to the UNFCCC. The meeting of the Parties refers to the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. The CMP:

  1. has authority over and makes rules for the CDM
  2. decides on the recommendations made by the Executive Board and
  3. designates operational entities that are provisionally accredited by the Executive Board.

The functions of the CMP in relation to the CDM are set out in 3/CMP.1, Annex, paragraphs 2-4.

CDM Executive Board

Supervises the CDM activities

The CDM Executive Board supervises the Kyoto Protocol’s clean development mechanism under the authority and guidance of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP). The Executive Board is fully accountable to the CMP. The Board is the ultimate point of contact for CDM project participants for the registration of projects and the issuance of certified emission reductions.

Designated Operational Entity

Private certifiers who validate projects and verify emission reductions

A designated operational entity (DOE) under the CDM is either a domestic legal entity or an international organization accredited and designated (on a provisional basis until confirmed by the CMP) by the CDM Executive Board. It has two key functions:

  1. A DOE validates and subsequently requests registration of a proposed CDM project activity
  2. A DOE verifies emission reductions of a registered CDM project activity, certifies as appropriate and requests the Board to issue certified emission reductions accordingly

Designated National Authority

Authorities who approve projects and facilitate participation

In accordance with the CDM modalities and procedures, Parties participating in the CDM shall designate a national authority for the CDM. The registration of a proposed CDM project activity can only take place once approval letters are obtained from the designated national authority of each Party involved, including confirmation by the host Party that the project activity assists it in achieving sustainable development.

Methodologies Panel

Established to develop recommendations to the Board on guidelines for methodologies for baseline and monitoring plans and prepare recommendations on submitted proposals for new baseline and monitoring methodologies.

Accreditation Panel

Established to prepare the decisions of the Board in accordance with the procedure for accrediting operational entities.

Registration and Issuance Team

Assists the Executive Board in its appraisals.

Afforestation and Reforestation Working Group

Established to prepare recommendations (in cooperation with the Methodologies Panel) on submitted proposals for new baseline and monitoring methodologies for CDM afforestation/reforestation project activities.

Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage WG

The CCS Working Group was established to prepare recommendations on submitted proposals for new baseline and monitoring methodologies. The WG is expected to work in cooperation with the Meth Panel.