Kyoto Protocol's CDM extends its reach, surpasses 100 registered PoAs

(Bonn, 27 February 2013) –The Kyoto Protocol’s clean development mechanism (CDM), the international market-based tool that incentivizes greenhouse gas emission reduction projects in developing countries, has now registered more than 100 Programmes of Activities (PoAs).

The milestone was passed on a day that saw the registration of seven PoAs: a small-scale solar project in Thailand (8457); small-scale hydro projects in China (8259) and Brazil (7062); a solar LED  project in Kenya (7489); cookstove projects in Mexico (8521) and in eight African countries (7359); and a renewable energy project in China (8526).

Under PoA, an unlimited number of similar project activities, over a wide area or region, can be administered under a single programme umbrella. They are particularly suited to small-scale or  micro-scale projects. After a PoA is registered, similar projects can be added over time without the  need to register each one individually, reducing transaction costs and making the CDM more attractive and more accessible to least developed countries (LDCs).

“For most LDCs, especially in Africa, single CDM projects are often too small to be viable,” said Peer Stiansen, Chair of the CDM Executive Board. “The recent growth in numbers shows that PoAs are overcoming this barrier and extending the benefits of the CDM to regions not previously able  to take advantage of the mechanism.”

Since the PoA procedures were adopted by the CDM Executive Board in 2007, 116 have been registered in 42 countries and more than 250 are currently in the PoA pipeline. Of the active PoA
projects, 60 per cent have entered the pipeline since the beginning of 2012. More than 25 per cent of all registered PoAs are located in Africa, compared to just 2 per cent of regular CDM projects. The top three project types for PoAs are household energy efficiency  projects (20 per cent), small-scale solar projects (19 per cent) and methane avoidance projects (18 per
cent).

“PoAs promote technologies with significant co-benefits to local communities,” said Mr. Stiansen. “These projects help people gain access to a range of benefits, from energy efficient
cookstoves and lighting, to solar energy and even clean drinking water.”

More information on PoAs
List of all registered PoAs

About the CDM
The clean development mechanism (CDM) 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 a part of their emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol.  With more than 6,500 registered projects in 85 developing countries, the CDM has proven to be a powerful  mechanism to deliver finance for emission-reduction projects and contribute to sustainable development.

See also
cdm.unfccc.int
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