Implementation of the clean development mechanism in Asia and the Pacific

Change is the essence of evolution. But the change in recent years has been much faster and unforeseen, which is a matter of concern. Climate change and global warming attributed to emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from human activities are a major threat to our survival and well-being. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) mooted at the Earth Summit in 1992 is a landmark agreement of the global community to meet the challenge of climate change. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol set the targets and time tables for the reduction of emissions to implement the Convention.

GHG emissions are the product of complex dynamic systems dictated by socio economic conditions and technological change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has developed various scenarios to represent the driving forces and emissions based on available scientific knowledge. IPCC has been involved in analysis of technologies and measures for the abatement of GHG emissions in various sectors, including agriculture, energy, forestry, housing, industry, transport and waste management. These options and opportunities deserve serious consideration in the pursuit of sustainable development, even without the threat of climate change.

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), one of the three "flexibility mechanisms" pronounced in the Kyoto Protocol, has the potential to garner additional sources of financing sustainable development projects in developing countries along with the global reduction of GHG emissions.
This publication provides a synoptic overview of the various issues relating to climate change abatement initiatives with specific reference to the issues, challenges and opportunities for the effective implementation of the CDM in countries of Asia and the Pacific particularly in metropolitan cities.