Luis Carneiro from LRQA, reports live from COP 16
3rd December 2010
By Luis Carneiro, Climate Change Manager Latin America, LRQA Ltd
Follow LRQA on Twitter @LRQA_CC_CSR
I was excited to witness the official meeting of the SBSTA (Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice) yesterday on subjects relating to the CDM, at the impressive Moon Palace.
More than 200 Environmental Ministries had the chance to place their positions on 3 main topics, and common sense was emerging on the need for more transparency, enhanced approval flux and risk mitigation, so things look good in this regard.:
- CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) as a CDM project. Norway, Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia expressed the benefits of sequestrating CO2 through CCS, and supported its integration as a CDM project activity. Brazil and Saudi Arabia however did not support it, on the basis that such an activity would not comply with the premise of the Kyoto protocol. Mexico thus defended the need for further discussions, later in the negotiations
- Standardized baselines under CDM. Assuming that standardized baselines for CDM would minimize transaction costs, simplify procedures and mitigate risks towards carbon credit generation, the EU, Switzerland, Australia and Papua New Guinea defended its acceptance. Brazil again were in opposition, stating that such a proposal would impact upon additionality and hence would not comply with CDM requirements
- Implications of exhaustion forests into CDM. The EU proposed that Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) would be an instrument to discuss exhaustion forests as part of CDM. Saudi Arabia. Ethiopia, Brazil and Bolivia proposed a technical meeting to be conducted prior to the next COP.
For all of the above, it was clear that progress, albeit slow, was being made. Follow up draft texts on each subject were requested by the SBSTA chair, in order that they can be further discussed on Friday 3rd, with targeted approval by Saturday. This would be very rapid progress which I eagerly await.
Visit LRQA website to see the full event coverage from Madlen King.
Follow LRQA on Twitter @LRQA_CC_CSR or visit www.climate-change.lrqa.com