Emission reductions pass one billion tonnes mark

Emission reductions from Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism pass
the one billion tonnes mark

(Bonn, 9 May 2006) – According to the United Nations Climate Change
Secretariat, the Kyoto Protocol’s clean development mechanism (CDM) is as
of today estimated to generate more than one billion tonnes of emission
reductions by the end of 2012.

In addition to the implementation of climate-friendly policies at home, the
1997 landmark treaty allows industrialized countries to meet their emission
targets through the treaty’s flexible mechanisms.

“We have crossed an important threshold with these emission reductions”,
said Richard Kinley, acting head of the United Nations Climate Change
Secretariat. “It is now evident that the Kyoto Protocol is making a
significant contribution towards sustainable development in developing
countries”.
The CDM allows industrialized countries to generate emission credits
through investment in emission reductions projects in developing countries.

The one billion tonne mark in emission reductions corresponds to the
present annual emissions of Spain and the United Kingdom combined.

The United Nations Climate Change Secretariat on Friday pointed towards a
slightly more equitable geographic distribution of the projects.

In Africa, there are currently 27 activities in the CDM pipeline of which 5
have been registered. This constitutes a five-fold growth within a year.

More than 800 projects are presently in the pipeline, of which 210 are
registered and another 58 are requesting registration. Last year, only
around 140 activities were registered or being considered for registration.

“Whilst the mechanism is seeing very strong growth, the growth is still too
unevenly distributed amongst regions", said Janos Pasztor, acting
coordinator for Project Based Mechanisms with the UN Climate Change
Secretariat. "Governments are expected to address this issue with inputs
from the CDM Executive Board at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change
Conference in Nairobi in November", he said.

Ends

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