UN Division of Sustainable Development: sustainable development criteria used in the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is one of three "flexibility mechanisms" within the Kyoto Protocol, and the only control mechanism applicable within developing countries. Its two specific goals are reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and furthering sustainable development within the "host" developing country. Students interviewed a cross section of developing country governments, prepare sample case studies, and, to the extent possible, prepare an evaluation of some of the existing criteria and offer practical recommendations for countries currently developing them.