Local realities of CDM projects

The report documents systemic failures in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) across seven projects in five countries. It highlights consistent patterns of inadequate stakeholder consultation, violations of indigenous rights, and environmental degradation. Specific examples include coal power plants in India causing pollution and displacement, hydroelectric projects in Panama, Honduras, and Guatemala ignoring indigenous consent and destroying ecosystems, and a waste incinerator in China causing local pollution. The document argues that CDM safeguards are insufficient to protect local populations and ensure genuine sustainable development.

• The Sasan Ultra Mega Power Project in India's Singrauli region is accused of violating labor rights, ignoring the rights of the indigenous Baiga community, and causing water pollution through fly ash.
• The Adani Mundra coal power project in western India is reported to violate national environmental legislation, harming fishing communities, salt-pan workers, and pastoralists while destroying mangroves.
• The Barro Blanco Hydroelectric Power Plant Project in Panama failed to properly consult the Ngabe indigenous people, leading to impacts on their lands, religious sites, and increased flooding risks.
• The Chengdu Luodai MSW Incinerator in China has caused local pollution, including strong odors, loud noise, and suspected leachate discharge that turned well water blackish.
• The Kukke Stage I Hydro Electric Project in India's Western Ghats is alleged to have bypassed environmental appraisals and ignored stakeholder consultations despite modelling showing it would submerge 388 hectares.
• The Aurora I Hydroelectric Power Project in Honduras is reported to have used coercion and military repression against the Lenca indigenous population and blocked access to the river, a primary water source.
• The Palo Viejo Hydroelectric Project in Guatemala is accused of violating the rights of Mayan-Ixil inhabitants, including the right to prior consultation and freedom of movement, while failing to deliver promised community infrastructure.

APA

Carbon Market Watch (2013). Local realities of CDM projects. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/case-studies-06-mail-2-dec-2013_final_light.pdf

Chicago

Carbon Market Watch. Local realities of CDM projects. 2013. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/case-studies-06-mail-2-dec-2013_final_light.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Carbon Market Watch |title=Local realities of CDM projects |date=November 2013 |url=https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/case-studies-06-mail-2-dec-2013_final_light.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{carbonmarketwatch2013local, author = {{Carbon Market Watch}}, title = {{Local realities of CDM projects}}, institution = {Carbon Market Watch}, year = {2013}, month = nov, url = {https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/case-studies-06-mail-2-dec-2013_final_light.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }