Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
8.6 Conclusions
The Clean Development Mechanism is a first approach to integrate developing
countries in climate change mitigation with a combination of climate protection,
emission trading and promotion of sustainable development. While CDM is In
theory ecologically and economically effective, in reality problems exist due to
imprecise criteria for sustainability and additionality. Currently, activities under
the CDM are inequitably distributed, with the result that only the most developed
regions, those which already receive a considerable share of traditional foreign di-
rect investments, may profit.
A more detailed view of CDM activities in Brazil as one of the favoured host
countries reveals that the above mentioned issues are also relevant within the
country. Brazil is not only one of the world's most unequal countries in terms of
economic and social equity, but also made major contribution towards the estab-
lishment of the Clean Developing Mechanism with its proposal of a Clean Devel-
opment Fund. Comparable to the global situation, CDM projects in Brazil concen-
trate in the more developed regions, most notably the federal state of São Paulo,
Brazil's economic centre. Particularly the poorly developed Northeast and the
Amazon region host only a few projects. Therefore, the CDM in Brazil seems to
be not an appropriate measure contributing to reduction of inequalities, as it rather
partakes in worsening the existing situation. Despite its controversies, the Plantar
case furthermore suggests that an impact assessment on the project level alone
might be insufficient to address all impacts, especially those of projects with a
high potential of replication.
Further, the major source of Brazilian greenhouse gas emissions is related to
the deforestation of the Amazon rain forest, which is currently not tackled at all by
the project based Clean Development Mechanism, but measures to reduce emis-
sions by avoiding deforestation are already under discussion and might be an op-
tion available for the time after 2012.
References
Betz R, Rogge K, Schleich J (2005) Flexible Instrumente im Klimaschutz: Emissions-
rechtehandel, Clean Development Mechanism, Joint Implementation [Flexible Mecha-
nisms for Climate Protection: Emission Trading, Clean Development Mechanism,
Joint Implementation]. Umweltministerium Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart
Böswald K, Martini S, Rumberg M, Schulte A (2001) Das Kyoto-Protokoll und die
möglichen Folgen für die Weltforst- und -holzwirtschaft [The Kyoto Protocol and pos-
sible Impacts on Forestry worldwide]. In: Schulte A, Böswald K, Joosten R (eds)
Weltforstwirtschaft nach Kyoto: Wald und Holz als Kohlenstoffspeicher und regenera-
tiver Energieträger. Shaker Verlag, Aachen, pp. 34-47
Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology (2008) Current status of the project activities
under the Clean Development Mechanism in Brazil and the world. Internet address:
http://www.mct.gov.br/upd_blob/0026/26986.pdf,
last accessed on 15.10.2010
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