Global call to end the Clean Development Mechanism

The document argues that the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) should be ended by 2020 because it undermines domestic climate action, increases global greenhouse gas emissions through 'junk' credits, and violates human rights. It specifically urges UNFCCC Heads of Delegation and the ICAO Council to stop allowing CDM credits to be used for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and aviation emissions targets.

• The CDM is viewed as a zero-sum game that discourages domestic climate action and the transition to zero-carbon sectors by allowing entities to emit while others reduce, which undermines the ability of countries to meet and expand their NDCs.
• The use of CDM credits has led to an increase in global greenhouse gas emissions, with an estimated increase of 580 million tonnes of CO2 in the EU due to their use in the EU Emissions Trading System. This is attributed to the fact that only 2% of CDM projects are likely to have environmental integrity, with the majority issuing 'junk' credits.
• CDM projects have caused human rights violations, specifically regarding indigenous peoples' rights and land exploitation leading to community displacement, such as in the Barro Blanco hydrodam project. The mechanism lacks a system to remedy these impacts and continues to register projects with adverse effects, including coal power plants and large hydro dams.
• The benefits of the CDM have been distributed inequitably, with the majority of credits issued in fewer than five countries, leaving the most vulnerable and least developed countries with minimal profit.

APA

Carbon Market Watch (n.d.). Global call to end the Clean Development Mechanism. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Global-call-to-end-the-Clean-Development-Mechanism_EN_final-1.pdf

Chicago

Carbon Market Watch. Global call to end the Clean Development Mechanism. n.d. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Global-call-to-end-the-Clean-Development-Mechanism_EN_final-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Carbon Market Watch |title=Global call to end the Clean Development Mechanism |url=https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Global-call-to-end-the-Clean-Development-Mechanism_EN_final-1.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{carbonmarketwatchndglobal, author = {{Carbon Market Watch}}, title = {{Global call to end the Clean Development Mechanism}}, publisher = {Carbon Market Watch}, url = {https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Global-call-to-end-the-Clean-Development-Mechanism_EN_final-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }