The Kyoto Protocol’s clean development mechanism (CDM) has registered its 1000th project, an energy efficiency project in Andhra Pradesh, India, expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 34,000 tonnes annually. “The CDM has passed another milestone, time to reflect on our success and redouble our efforts to improve and expand the mechanism,” said Rajesh Kumar Sethi, Chair of the CDM Executive Board, who signed off on the 1000th project at a joint coordination workshop in Bonn, Germany.

CDM projects have so far generated more than 135 million certified emission reductions (CERs). The mechanism is anticipated, as of today, to generate more than 2.7 billion CERs in the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. “With 1000 projects in 49 countries in just two and half years, the ‘infant’ CDM has shown its potential, and is maturing into a ‘junior’. It’s clear that there is still much greater potential that can be realized, while respecting the imperative of ensuring environmental integrity and making the mechanism as simple as possible,” said Mr. Sethi.

In summarizing the workshop, which brought together about 240 representatives of CDM regulatory implementers and national stakeholders, Mr. Sethi noted the productive discussion on registration of CDM projects and issuance of CERs; emissions baseline setting and monitoring methodologies; and accreditation of third-party certifiers. He made particular note of the work on the Nairobi Framework, a multi-agency initiative launched by former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to increase CDM activities in lesser developed countries, especially in Africa.