Understanding CDM Methodologies - SuSanA
Understanding CDM Methodologies - SuSanA
Understanding CDM Methodologies - SuSanA
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Special Status of<br />
the Marrakech<br />
Accords<br />
“Ordinary” COP<br />
decisions<br />
The Marrakech Accords – a special form of COP/MOP Decisions<br />
The Marrakech Accords are a group of decisions by COP 7 in 2001 and<br />
defined the details that could not be specified in the Kyoto Protocol 3 . So in<br />
theory they can be changed easily. However, there has been a tacit consensus<br />
that changing a part of them would destroy the carefully crafted equilibrium<br />
and jeopardize the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. Nevertheless, some<br />
amendments have been made over time.<br />
During each COP, a decision on <strong>CDM</strong> issues will be made which is usually<br />
framed as “guidance” to the EB. This type of decision belongs to the<br />
discretionary decision making.<br />
2.1.1 General <strong>CDM</strong> Principles<br />
The UNFCCC<br />
UNFCCC Principles<br />
regarding Market<br />
Mechanisms<br />
Annex I<br />
Commitments<br />
As the term <strong>CDM</strong> was only defined in the Kyoto Protocol, the UNFCCC<br />
obviously does not contain <strong>CDM</strong>-specific rules. However, it contains a<br />
number of important principles that were preconditions for development of<br />
the <strong>CDM</strong>. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities means<br />
that countries with a low degree of economic development and historical<br />
responsibility do not have to take up commitments, while those with a<br />
high development status and high responsibility do so 4 . However, all states<br />
participate in some action against climate change. While the UNFCCC did<br />
not introduce any legally binding emission commitments, it specified that<br />
industrialized countries (so-called Annex I countries) should take the lead<br />
in combating climate change and that they can implement commitments<br />
jointly 5 . This clause is the foundation stone of all market mechanisms in<br />
international climate policy.<br />
The Kyoto Protocol<br />
The cornerstone of the Kyoto Protocol is the set of legally binding emission<br />
commitments for a group of 38 industrialized countries and countries<br />
in transition (so-called Annex B countries). These commitments relate to<br />
a basket of six types of greenhouse gases that are converted into CO 2<br />
equivalents by using their Global Warming Potentials for a 100-year<br />
timeframe, as specified in the IPCC’s 2nd Assessment Report of 1995. The<br />
commitments are to be reached in the commitment period 2008-2012 and<br />
quantified in comparison to a base year of 1990 6 . On this basis, an emissions<br />
budget is defined for the commitment period.<br />
3<br />
They were put in the form of a COP decision to be substituted by a decision of the first Conference of the Parties<br />
serving as a Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP) once the Kyoto Protocol had entered into<br />
force. As entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol took until 2005, the first COP/MOP was only held in December of<br />
that year in Montreal and rubber-stamped the decisions made in Marrakech, repeating them word by word. The<br />
references used here relate to the Annex of Montreal decision 3/CMP.1, which was derived from the Annex to<br />
Marrakech decision 17/CP.7<br />
4<br />
UNFCCC, Art. 4,1<br />
5<br />
Ibid., Art. 4,2 a<br />
6<br />
Countries in transition were allowed to use a different base year; some countries chose the year or period in the<br />
late 1980s when their emissions reached their peak.<br />
9