Empirical analysis of performance of CDM projects: case study Brazil

The paper analyzes nine Brazilian CDM projects, finding that forecasted CER generation typically decreases as projects move from validation to issuance due to methodology changes, lower-than-expected output, and delays. While additionality arguments are generally credible, they are sometimes weakened by the rapid spread of technology. The study also concludes that the Brazilian national stakeholder consultation process is insufficient for gathering local concerns, as fewer than 5% of projects receive comments through the standard procedure.

• Access to long-term financing with reasonable interest rates is a widespread barrier for CDM projects in Brazil, with unilateral and small-scale projects potentially facing greater difficulties.
• Forecasted CER generation generally declines as projects progress from validation to registration and issuance. This trend was observed in animal waste, biomass, and wind projects, driven by changes in monitoring methodology, operating margin carbon emissions factors, lower output, and delays in the crediting period.
• The standard stakeholder consultation procedure established by the Brazilian Designated National Authority (DNA) is ineffective, with less than 5% of projects receiving comments, most of which are general and do not inform project design.
• While the additionality argumentation for the analyzed projects is considered credible, it is occasionally weakened by the fact that the technologies used are becoming common practice in Brazil or by the age of the equipment being replaced.
• Project developers' expectations for sustainability benefits significantly exceed the expectations and concerns expressed by local stakeholders, suggesting that sustainability goals are not sufficiently informed by local views.
• Delays in the start of the crediting period are primarily attributed to lengthy validation processes by Designated Operational Entities (DOEs) struggling with high workloads or delays in project implementation, rather than the Brazilian DNA's approval process.

APA

Friberg, L., & Castro, P. (2008). Empirical analysis of performance of CDM projects: case study Brazil. Climate Strategies. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/cdm-case-brazil-friberg-castro02-08.pdf

Chicago

Friberg, Lars, and Paula Castro. Empirical analysis of performance of CDM projects: case study Brazil. Climate Strategies, 2008. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/cdm-case-brazil-friberg-castro02-08.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Friberg |first1=Lars |last2=Castro |first2=Paula |title=Empirical analysis of performance of CDM projects: case study Brazil |publisher=Climate Strategies |date=February 2008 |url=https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/cdm-case-brazil-friberg-castro02-08.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{friberg2008empirical, author = {Friberg, Lars and Castro, Paula}, title = {{Empirical analysis of performance of CDM projects: case study Brazil}}, institution = {Climate Strategies}, year = {2008}, month = feb, url = {https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/cdm-case-brazil-friberg-castro02-08.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }