Request for recommendations that the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) take action to protect the rights of indigenous people affected by the Barro Blanco dam and other CDM projects

A coalition of organizations urges the UN Special Rapporteur to recommend that the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) integrate human rights protections into its governing policies. The request is driven by documented abuses associated with the Barro Blanco hydroelectric dam in Panama and other CDM projects in Honduras and India. The authors propose four specific reforms: establishing international safeguards, strengthening stakeholder consultation, creating a project de-registration process for human rights violations, and implementing a grievance mechanism for affected communities.

• The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has not ensured that its projects are designed, implemented, or monitored to guarantee the full and effective enjoyment of human rights, despite obligations for Kyoto Protocol Parties to respect human rights in climate actions.
• The Barro Blanco hydroelectric dam in Panama, a registered CDM project, is described as emblematic of development projects that threaten the lives and livelihoods of indigenous peoples in the country.
• The authors propose that the CDM establish clearly defined international safeguards to protect the rights of those adversely affected by its projects.
• The authors recommend strengthening and defining requirements for local and global stakeholder consultation to ensure participation is meaningful and effective.
• The authors call for a mechanism to de-register CDM projects that fail to meet sustainable development criteria or violate domestic and international standards regarding human rights, labor, health, and the environment.
• The authors request the establishment of a grievance process allowing affected communities to report social and environmental harms or violations of CDM Modalities and Procedures.

APA

Carbon Market Watch (2013). Request for recommendations that the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) take action to protect the rights of indigenous people affected by the Barro Blanco dam and other CDM projects. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/FINAL-Letter-to-SR-James-Anaya-re-CDM-Reform-20-Sep-2013.pdf

Chicago

Carbon Market Watch. Request for recommendations that the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) take action to protect the rights of indigenous people affected by the Barro Blanco dam and other CDM projects. 2013. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/FINAL-Letter-to-SR-James-Anaya-re-CDM-Reform-20-Sep-2013.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Carbon Market Watch |title=Request for recommendations that the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) take action to protect the rights of indigenous people affected by the Barro Blanco dam and other CDM projects |date=20 September 2013 |url=https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/FINAL-Letter-to-SR-James-Anaya-re-CDM-Reform-20-Sep-2013.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{carbonmarketwatch2013request, author = {{Carbon Market Watch}}, title = {{Request for recommendations that the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) take action to protect the rights of indigenous people affected by the Barro Blanco dam and other CDM projects}}, publisher = {Carbon Market Watch}, year = {2013}, month = sep, url = {https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/FINAL-Letter-to-SR-James-Anaya-re-CDM-Reform-20-Sep-2013.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }