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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.
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Document type: Case study
Exploring Trends in Low-Carbon, Climate-Resilient Development
The report examines the evolution of low-carbon, climate-resilient development (LCCRD) in developing countries, highlighting the integration of mitigation and adaptation into national planning. It identifies critical barriers, including limited human capacity and a significant imbalance in climate finance, where adaptation receives far less funding than mitigation. The document analyzes the shift from top-down to bottom-up international governance and the role of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) as a vehicle for sustainable development. It also discusses the challenges of monitoring and evaluating adaptation investments and the proliferation of online knowledge platforms, recommending a greater focus on user needs and the translation of high-level strategies into concrete actions.
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Document type: Report
The Green Economy in the G-20, Post-Mexico: Implications for China
The document examines China's approach to the green economy, noting a domestic consensus on the need for green transformation due to severe environmental degradation, while highlighting China's reluctance to accept mandatory international obligations that might hinder economic growth. It analyzes the 2012 G-20 summit in Mexico, where the concept of 'inclusive green growth' was introduced to balance environmental goals with the social and economic concerns of developing nations. The author argues that China's internal organizational framework—where the Ministry of Finance coordinates G-20 affairs but the Ministry of Environmental Protection is excluded—contributed to its lack of engagement with the G-20's green growth agenda. Ultimately, the paper suggests that while the G-20 process has not yet directly shaped Chinese national policy, increasing domestic pressure and international dialogue may eventually push China toward more active participation and acceptance of green obligations.
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Document type: Research paper
The Green Economy in the G-20, Post-Mexico: Implications for Brazil
The document examines the tension between the 'green growth' agenda promoted by developed nations and Brazil's preference for 'sustainable development' and autonomous industrialisation. It argues that while Brazil possesses significant environmental assets, its domestic policies—including those of the BNDES and Petrobras—continue to prioritise short-term economic growth and fossil fuel consumption over a green transition. Internationally, Brazil aligns with BRICS and other emerging economies to resist binding emissions commitments and protectionist 'green' trade barriers, despite its own voluntary GHG reduction targets.
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Document type: Research paper
Strengthening Peer Learning in the African Peer Review Mechanism: The Case for Best Practices
The document examines the underutilisation of best practices within the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), noting that while over 200 practices have been identified across 15 country review reports, they remain largely confined to those reports. It argues that best practices should serve as a central anchor for peer learning to drive governance reform. The author recommends that the APRM define best practices more clearly, integrate their identification into the initial country self-assessment phase to increase national ownership, and establish a central repository and dedicated learning forums to disseminate these home-grown solutions across the continent.
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Document type: Policy brief
The Green Economy in the G-20, Post-Mexico: Implications for India
The document examines India's adoption of the G-20's 'green growth' framework, which posits that economic growth and environmental sustainability are compatible. While the Indian government integrates this into its Five-Year Plans through technocratic solutions like renewable energy missions and energy efficiency schemes, a counter-discourse argues that such growth continues to marginalize the poor and deplete natural capital. The author highlights a contradiction between India's G-20 alignment and its stance in multilateral climate forums, where it emphasizes historical responsibility and the need for financial support from developed nations.
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Document type: Research paper
Climate and Development Outlook: Rwanda: Pioneering steps towards a climate resilient green economy
The document outlines Rwanda's approach to climate compatible development, highlighting the shift toward implementing sustainable development across various government levels. It specifically discusses the identification of 'big wins' for the national Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy and the creation of FONERWA, a national funding mechanism designed to support green growth initiatives while aligning with international climate finance requirements.
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Document type: Research paper
Open letter to EDF Trading regarding the involvement of EDF Trading in the CDM project 2716 Grid connected energy efficient power generation
A group of international organisations is calling on EDF Trading to clarify its relationship with CDM project 2716 ("Grid connected energy efficient power generation") in India. While the company issued a correction in Enerpresse stating it is no longer contractually associated with the supercritical coal plant project and has never purchased its credits, the signatories note that this information is missing from the company's website. The letter highlights concerns over the project's compliance with national legislation and sustainable development criteria, as well as impacts on local communities, and asks for details on when and how EDF Trading ended its involvement.
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Document type: Statement
Open letter regarding authorization and approval letter for CDM project 2716 grid connected energy efficient power generation
A coalition of organizations requests transparency regarding EDF Trading's involvement in CDM project 2716 and calls for the project's approval to be withdrawn. The letter cites a Ministry of Environment and Forest report indicating that the project fails to meet sustainable development criteria, harms local fishing and pastoralist communities, and causes significant air pollution. Additionally, the authors argue that the project lacks additionality and relies on a flawed crediting methodology that was suspended in 2011.
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Document type: Statement
OPEN LETTER regarding the involvement of EDF Trading in the CDM project 2716 “Grid connected energy efficient power generation”
A group of international organisations has written to EDF Trading to seek clarification and public disclosure regarding the company's involvement in CDM project 2716, a supercritical coal power plant in Mundra, India. The letter references a statement in Enerpresse claiming EDF Trading is no longer contractually associated with the project, while noting that 25 Indian NGOs have called for the project's approval to be withdrawn due to non-compliance with national legislation and sustainable development criteria.
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Document type: Statement
OPEN LETTER regarding authorization and approval letter for CDM project 2716 “Grid connected energy efficient power generation”
A coalition of organizations requests that the French government provide transparency regarding EDF Trading's involvement in and subsequently withdraw its approval for CDM project 2716, a coal-fired power plant in Mundra, India. The authors argue the project fails sustainable development criteria due to environmental damage, lack of community consultation, and flawed carbon crediting methodologies.
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Document type: Statement
Europejski przemysł wstaje z kolan
The document proposes the RISE strategy to revitalize European industry by focusing on energy and resource efficiency, green technologies, and innovation. It argues that industrial competitiveness is impossible without a low-carbon transformation and criticizes current EU budget cuts in strategic sectors like Horizon 2020 and COSME. The author suggests specific financial mechanisms, such as feed-in tariffs for energy efficiency and eco-efficient loans, alongside legislative measures like ecodesign to reduce energy imports and costs.
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Document type: Statement
Will carbon markets help or hinder a new climate deal?
The document examines the negotiations surrounding the Framework for Various Approaches (FVA) ahead of COP-19, highlighting the tension between parties seeking minimal guidance and those calling for centralized oversight. It argues that for carbon markets to support a new climate deal, they must be predicated on ambitious mitigation targets, strict environmental integrity, and the prevention of double counting. The author specifically warns that a proposed FVA pilot phase, advocated by Poland, could set a dangerous precedent by allowing early action units to be recognized in a post-2020 regime before fundamental accounting rules are established.
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Document type: Briefing
Demand to withdraw approval letter for Adani Power's registered CDM project “Grid connected energy efficient power generation” (Project 2716)
A group of organizations is calling for the withdrawal of CDM project approval for Adani Power's thermal power plant in Gujarat, India. They cite a 2013 MoEF inspection report that found non-compliance with environmental regulations, specifically regarding fugitive emissions and reporting failures, arguing that the project no longer meets sustainable development criteria.
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Document type: Statement
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.
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Document type: Statement
Business Model Framework: Results Management Framework
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) proposes a four-phase Results Management Framework (RMF) consisting of result area definition, target setting, implementation and monitoring, and evaluation and learning. The framework emphasizes a 'continuously learning institution' approach, balancing standardized core performance indicators with flexibility for country-driven priorities. For mitigation, the GCF suggests using carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq) as a primary metric, while adaptation requires sector-specific measures due to the lack of a unitary quantifiable measure of vulnerability. The document recommends annual reporting and a combination of funding pilot activities and utilizing the experience of other entities to set initial targets. Key performance criteria beyond core indicators include the potential for a paradigm shift, development co-benefits, and cost-effectiveness.
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Document type: Report
DECLARATION ON CLIMATE JUSTICE
The Declaration on Climate Justice argues that the global response to climate change must prioritize human rights, equity, and the needs of the most vulnerable. It outlines six priority pathways: empowering affected communities, transitioning to a low-carbon economy, reforming investment models, ensuring government accountability, and strengthening the rule of law. The declaration emphasizes that developed countries must lead in reducing emissions and providing climate finance to ensure a just transition and a sustainable global society.
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Document type: Statement
Submission to Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources on the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Amendment Bill [B15-2013]
A joint submission by five environmental and social justice organisations to the South African Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources, asserting that the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Amendment Bill [B15-2013] does not rectify systemic failures in administrative justice. The authors argue that the Bill maintains inadequate consultation timeframes, restricts access to critical mining application data, and fails to protect the rights of rural and marginalized communities against the interests of mining companies and traditional authorities.
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Document type: Statement
Submission to Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources on the MPRDA Amendment Bill: Environment authorities are more appropriately placed to consider, issue and ensure compliance with environmental authorisations for mining activities
The submission contends that the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) lacks the human resource capacity, budget, and track record to effectively implement the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and its EIA regulations. It highlights a conflict of interest between the DMR's mandate to promote mining and its obligation to protect the environment, citing poor decision-making in sensitive areas and negligible compliance monitoring. The authors argue that transferring these powers to the DMR would be an inefficient use of public funds and potentially unconstitutional, as it impinges on provincial mandates. They recommend that the Minister of Environmental Affairs and provincial Executive Councils remain the sole authorities for issuing and enforcing environmental authorisations.
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Document type: Statement
Building Capacities to Improve Mainstreaming of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) Into Development Strategies and Policies in the Caribbean Region
The document evaluates the application of a training module focused on integrating Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) into development priorities in the Caribbean. Using the Driving Forces–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework, the approach helps policy-makers identify synergies between environmental obligations and economic sectors such as tourism and agriculture. Findings from three case studies in Suriname, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia highlight that while the tool improves the ability of policy-makers to articulate MEA relevance, significant barriers remain, including limited cross-sectoral collaboration, insufficient data for target setting, and a lack of political will to alter high-level development priorities.
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Document type: Research paper