Climate Change & The Clean Development Mechanism - Fall

Advisor: Tanya Heikkila 

This report examines the potential role of forestry projects in mitigating climate change under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Climate change, driven by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, poses significant ecological and socio-economic risks worldwide. The CDM was established to allow developed countries to meet part of their emissions reduction commitments by investing in projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gases in developing countries. Forestry projects, including afforestation and reforestation initiatives, offer the potential to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through carbon sequestration. However, the use of forestry projects within the CDM has been controversial due to uncertainties about measuring carbon sequestration, ensuring the permanence of forest carbon storage, and safeguarding biodiversity and local livelihoods.

To address these challenges, the report proposes a new initiative known as the Capacitate Program, designed to build institutional and technical capacity for forestry projects within the CDM framework. The program would establish a Forestry Implementation Committee to provide guidance on project design and evaluation, as well as regional Forestry Development Resource centers to support stakeholders involved in CDM project development. These institutions would help resolve procedural barriers, improve project monitoring and evaluation, and promote best practices for sustainable forestry projects. The report also provides recommendations for program staffing, funding mechanisms, and performance management tools. By strengthening institutional capacity and improving project oversight, the proposed program aims to facilitate credible forestry projects that contribute to climate mitigation while supporting sustainable development in host countries.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.