Understanding CDM Methodologies - SuSanA

Introduction
The success of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a key feature
of the Kyoto Protocol, engaging the private sector in mitigation and
delivering substantial investment to developing countries. The CDM and
the EU Emissions Trading Scheme are cornerstones of the global carbon
market. Linking the two has been one of the most significant policy decisions
undertaken in building that market. The UK is currently at the centre of the
market, and UK approved project participants form a major proportion of the
total CDM projects.
This is why I am delighted to support the publication of this guidebook to
methodologies, which I hope will make some small contribution to increased
transparency in the system. The process of project quantification is admittedly
complicated and the detailed rules are not always fully understood. The
robustness of these calculations is essential to confidence in the market.
The CDM Executive Board and the UNFCCC Secretariat has shown it is
committed to the continuous improvement of the CDM, ensuring efficient
and robust decision making. This guidebook is intended as a contribution
to that improvement. The book was commissioned to help clarify the area
and processes surrounding it, but it does not give the views of the UK
government. The opinions expressed in this book are the authors’ own and
offer an independent guide to the implementation and interpretation of the
CDM methodologies. It aims to provide a reference for practitioners, foster
debate, and most of all help those not directly involved in the process to gain
an understanding of the key principles involved in the CDM methodologies.
I hope this book can play a part in assisting host country governments
and the private sector in countries currently not participating in the CDM
to engage in the process and begin to implement projects in their own
countries.
Mike Anderson
Director General, Climate Change Group, UK Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs
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