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Context for CDM and philosophy behind CDM
Some definitions
How CDM works
Basic eligibility criteria
Types of CDM projects
Disqualifications
Additionality and baseline assessment

Context for CDM and philosophy behind CDM

The basic thinking behind the fact that only the developed countries have targets for the first commitment period is that these countries generally have a high standard of living (are rich), bear a disproportional historical responsibility for the build-up of GHG, have access to sophisticated technologies, and thus can both afford and are ethically compelled to “go first” on the renewable path, where at least initially energy is more expensive than the fossil fuel products most nations are reliant upon at this time.

The expectation is that, in time, these countries will develop new technologies that will make renewable energy more competitive with fossil fuels so that poorer countries could in time, using these technologies, also venture down the renewable path without exposing their more fragile economies to undue damage.

CDM aims to do exactly this and also to transfer technology to developing countries even in the period before they have targets/emission reduction duties so that they can be started down the renewable path as soon as possible. This implies, given the constraints mentioned above, a project in a developing country subsidized by money from somewhere else.

For more information on how CDM works, click on the menu on the bottom left of the page.

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