In Focus

Maintaining access to CDM validators and verifiers essential for
smooth transition to new mechanisms – DOE Forum 2017

Bonn, Germany, 24 October 2017 – Over the past 15 years, significant expertise has been built in the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and in the designated operational entities (DOEs) that validate CDM projects and verify and certify emission reductions from those projects. Use of this capacity and infrastructure in future mechanisms would be a time and cost efficient approach.

This was the key message from some 10 DOEs from around the world who gathered virtually for their eighteenth annual Coordination Forum this week. The forum is held, this year for the third time via conference call, to give DOEs an opportunity to build capacity, share information and discuss how to further support climate action, including through the CDM.

“The discussion at the DOE/AIE Coordination Forum evidenced the need for a clear perspective regarding the future of the carbon markets under the Paris Agreement,” said Werner Betzenbichler, Chair of the designated operational entity and accredited independent entity (DOE/AIE) Coordination Forum. “Maintaining the access to accredited entities and their personnel under the CDM will be essential for a smooth transition into the new mechanisms.”

“As new opportunities for demand are likely to emerge, it would be worthwhile to retain tools and the experience DOEs have gained in the CDM over the past 15 years,” said Luca Brusa, Team Leader, Stakeholder and Regional Support Team at the UN Climate Change. “The DOE/AIE Coordination Forum has been instrumental in charting the way forward for the CDM and beyond.”

The forum concluded with a call for clarity on the CDM beyond 2020. Also, recalling the role of DOEs mentioned in the decision that adopted the Paris Climate Change Agreement, the Forum urged for detailed rules, modalities and procedures to be followed by DOEs for verification and certification of emission reductions resulting from mitigation activities under the mechanism established by Article 6, paragraph 4, of the Paris Agreement.