Carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations as CDM project activities

The consideration of the inclusion of carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations as clean development mechanism project activities has been considered in different instances including the CMP, the SBSTA and the CDM Executive Board, dating back as early as November 2005, as registered in the report of the 22nd meeting of the CDM Executive Board*.

Click on the link below for a brief summary of the more recent and relevant facts concerning this issue:

CMP 7 - November to December 2011 - Durban
The CMP adopted the decision 10/CMP.7.

September 2011:
As mandated in 7/CMP.6, the secretariat organized a technical workshop with technical and legal experts, to consider the submissions from Parties and organizations and to discuss how the relevant issues can be addressed in modalities and procedures.

CMP 6 - December 2010 - Cancun
The CMP adopted the decision -/7CMP.6

SBSTA 33 - 2010
The SBSTA, at its thirty-third session, recommended a draft decision for consideration by the CMP.

SBSTA 32 - 2010
At its thirty-second session, the SBSTA was invited to continue its consideration of the matter, based on:

  - The draft contained in annex I to document FCCC/SBSTA/2009/8,
  - The issues listed in paragraph 29 of the further guidance relating to the clean development mechanism (Decision 2/CMP.5), and
  - The views submitted by Parties on the issues mentioned in the bullet item above.

The SBSTA, at its thirty-second session, agreed to continue the consideration of the matter at its thirty-third session based on the issues listed in the draft conclusions of its thirty-second session and the draft text contained in annex V to document FCCC/SBSTA/2010/6.

CMP 5 - December 2009 - Copenhagen
The CMP, at its fifth session, after considering the outcomes of the work undertaken by the Executive Board, requested the SBSTA to continue to work on the possible inclusion of carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations in the clean development mechanism by working on the issues listed in paragraph 29 of the further guidance relating to the clean development mechanism (Decision 2/CMP.5), with a view to the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol adopting a decision on this matter at its sixth session. At the same session, the CMP invited Parties to submit their views, by 22 March 2010, on the issues referred to above.

SBTA 31 - December 2009 - Copenhagen
At its thirty-first session, the SBSTA took note of further views on issues relevant to the consideration of CCS in geological formations as CDM project activities, contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2009/MISC.11. At the same session, the SBSTA agreed to continue its consideration of this matter at its thirty-second session, based on the draft contained in annex I to document FCCC/SBSTA/2009/8.

At its 50th meeting (October 2009) the CDM Executive Board, taking into account the reports prepared by the consultants and the discussions within the Board, agreed to present a summary of possible consequences of the inclusion of carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations as clean development mechanism project activities as contained in annex 11 of the report of that meeting. The document was included as an annex to the EB report to CMP 5.

The first report prepared by the consultants was considered by the Executive Board at its 49th meeting and the final report, at its 50th meeting. The reports were used as inputs to the EB meetings and reflect solely the opinions of the consultants. Both reports are available on the CDM website as part of the annotations to the agendas of the 49th and 50th meetings of the Executive Board. The respective links are listed below.

At its 47th meeting (May 2009) the CDM Executive Board considered (a) the draft terms of reference (ToR) to assess the implications of the possible inclusion of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in geological formations as CDM project activities prepared by the groups of members; (b) the draft document on the process for the selection of the CCS experts; (c) the list of experts that have applied to the call for experts on CCS. The Board agreed to the proposed ToR, as contained in annex 11 to the EB 47 meeting report, and selected the experts for this assignment using the proposed process for the selection. The selected candidates were contacted and contractual arrangements were agreed upon.

CDM Executive Board
In response to the decision 2.CMP/4 at its 46th meeting (March 2009), the CDM Executive Board agreed to launch a call for experts with suitable experience in CCS in geological formations, with in particular technical, methodological and legal experience for assessing the implications of the possible inclusion of CCS in geological formations as CDM project activities.

SBSTA 30 - June 2009 - Bonn
The SBSTA considered the agenda item again at its 30th session and concluded by (i) taking note of decision 2/CMP.4 (see above), (ii) inviting Parties to submit to the secretariat, by 28 September 2009, further views on issues relevant to the consideration of CCS in geological formations as CDM project activities, for compilation by the secretariat into a miscellaneous document; and (iii) agreeing to continue its consideration of this matter at its thirty-first session.

CMP 4 - December 2008 - Poznan
The CMP at its fourth session requested the Executive Board of the clean development mechanism (CDM) to assess the implications of the possible inclusion of carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations as CDM project activities and to report to the CMP at its fifth session (decision 2/CMP.4).

SBSTA 28 - June 2008 - Bonn, and SBSTA 29 - December 2008 - Poznan
Discussions in sessions 28 and 29 were centered around the content of the reports mentioned above, and means to enhance capacity-building and facilitate the sharing of information. After all, the SBSTA could not conclude the consideration of the issue during those sessions.

Developments prior to SBSTA 28 (June 2008)
Prior to SBSTA 28, this agenda item was considered at SBSTA 23, 24, 25 and 27 as well as CMP 1 and 2. The consideration of this item during those sessions resulted in: (i) two workshops held at the 24th session of the SBSTA, (ii) submissions from Parties and accredited NGOs that were received and compiled by the secretariat in the synthesis report FCCC/SBSTA/2008/INF.3, and then considered by the SBSTA, and (iii) the further consideration by the CDM Executive Board of proposals for new methodologies for carbon dioxide capture and storage as clean development mechanism project activities (namely the new proposed baseline and monitoring methodologies NM0167, NM0168 and SSC_038).



Related submissions, documents and latest conclusion pertaining to this issue are available by clicking one of the links below:

+ Documents pertaining to this issue

FCCC/SBSTA/2012/L.21: Draft conclusions proposed by the Chair
FCCC/SBSTA/2012/MISC.12: Submissions from Parties, intergovernmental organizations and admitted observer organizations
FCCC/SBSTA/2012/MISC.12/Add.1: Submissions from Parties, intergovernmental organizations and admitted observer organizations
FCCC/TP/2012/9: Technical paper on transboundary carbon capture and storage project activities

FCCC/SBSTA/2012/MISC.8/Add.2: Views on the eligibility of carbon dioxide capture and storage project activities involving transport of carbon dioxide from one country to another or which involve geological storage sites that are located in more than one country; and on the establishment of a global reserve of certified emission reduction units for carbon dioxide capture and storage project activities
FCCC/SBSTA/2012/MISC.8/Add.1: Views on the eligibility of carbon dioxide capture and storage project activities involving transport of carbon dioxide from one country to another or which involve geological storage sites that are located in more than one country; and on the establishment of a global reserve of certified emission reduction units for carbon dioxide capture and storage project activities
FCCC/SBSTA/2012/MISC.8: Views on the eligibility of carbon dioxide capture and storage project activities involving transport of carbon dioxide from one country to another or which involve geological storage sites that are located in more than one country; and on the establishment of a global reserve of certified emission reduction units for carbon dioxide capture and storage project activities
Decision 10/CMP.7: Carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations as clean development mechanism project activities
FCCC/SBSTA/2011/MISC.10: Views on carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations as clean development mechanism project activities. Submissions from Parties.
FCCC/SBSTA/2011/MISC.11: Views on carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations as clean development mechanism project activities. Submissions from admitted observer organizations.
FCCC/SBSTA/2011/INF.7: Synthesis of views on modalities and procedures for carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations as clean development mechanism project activities.
FCCC/SBSTA/2011/INF.14: Report on the workshop on modalities and procedures for carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations as clean development mechanism project activities.
FCCC/SBSTA/2011/4: Draft modalities and procedures for carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations as clean development mechanism project activities.
Decision 7/CMP.6: Carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations as clean development mechanism project activities.
FCCC/SBSTA/2010/L.11Draft conclusions proposed by the Chair.
FCCC/SBSTA/2010/MISC.2/Add.1 Views related to carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations as a possible mitigation technology.
FCCC/SBSTA/2010/MISC.2 Views related to carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations as a possible mitigation technology.
Decision 2/CMP.5 Further guidance relating to the clean development mechanism.
FCCC/SBSTA/2009/8 Report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on its thirty-first session, held in Copenhagen from 8 to 12 December 2009
FCCC/SBSTA/2009/MISC.11 Further views on issues relevant to the consideration of carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations as project activities under the clean development mechanism
EB 50, Annex 11 to the meeting report (16 October 2009) - A summary of possible consequences of the inclusion of carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations as clean development mechanism project activities
EB 50, Annex 1 to the agenda annotations (13 October 2009) - Revised expert’s recommendation on CCS
EB 49, Annex 4 to the agenda annotations (8 September 2009) - Expert’s recommendation on CCS
FCCC/SBSTA/2008/MISC.10 Add.1 Technological, methodological, legal, policy and financial issues relevant to the consideration of CCS in geological formations as project activities under the CDM. Submissions from Parties
FCCC/SBSTA/2008/INF.1 Synthesis of views on issues relevant to the consideration of CCS in geological formations as CDM project activities. Note by the secretariat
FCCC/SBSTA/2008/INF.3 Synthesis of views on technological, methodological, legal, policy, financial and other issues relevant to the consideration of CCS in geological formations as CDM project activities. Note by the secretariat
FCCC/SBSTA/2007/MISC.18/Add.2 Consideration of CCS as CDM project activities. Submissions from Parties. Addendum
FCCC/SBSTA/2007/MISC.18/Add.1 Consideration of CCS as CDM project activities. Submissions from Parties. Addendum
FCCC/SBSTA/2007/MISC.18 Consideration of CCS as CDM project activities. Submissions from Parties
EB 26 Annex 13 (29 September 2006) - Annex to the report of the 26th meeting of the Executive Board - Recommendation on CO2 capture and storage as CDM project activities based on the review of cases NM0167, NM0168 and SSC_038
FCCC/KP/CMP/2006/MISC.2 (15 September 2006) - Consideration of carbon capture and storage as clean development mechanism project activities. Submissions from Parties
FCCC/KP/CMP/2006/3 (15 August 2006) - Report on the workshop on carbon dioxide capture and storage as clean development mechanism project activities. Note by the secretariat
FCCC/SBSTA/2006/7 (25 August 2006) - Report on the in-session workshop of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice, at its twenty-fourth session, on carbon dioxide capture and storage. Note by the Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice

+ Submissions from admitted non-governmental organizations
+ Submissions from organizations which are not admitted
+ Other submissions


* Paragraph 23 of the referred report reads: “In the context of a methodology submitted to the Board which proposes using carbon capture and storage as a CDM project activity, the Board considered the general issue of carbon capture and storage as CDM project activities but could not come to an agreement. The Board agreed to request guidance from the COP/MOP on whether carbon capture and storage projects can be considered as CDM project activities taking into account issues relating to project boundary, leakage and permanence” (EB 22 report, 25 November 2005).