Benget Besalicto Tnb. , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Wed, 10/21/2009 10:53 AM | Business
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The forestry ministry is drafting a proposal to facilitate growth of a domestic voluntary carbon trading market, while regulated markets are demanding for local firms to administer and uncertain after 2012.
The plan emerges as a response to the state of the current international carbon credit market, which is considered too costly and complex by local industry players interested in sustainable development projects.
Director general of forest production development Hadi Daryanto told The Jakarta Post on Monday that Indonesia’s potential to contribute to green house gas emission reduction had been held back by barriers such as cost and complexity.
Hadi hinted that the voluntary domestic carbon market could be more accessible to local companies if the government could help establish Indonesia’s own voluntary certification agency for carbon trading.
Nevertheless, he said, such an agency could adopt most standards currently adopted by the existing global voluntary carbon market. He assured domestic firms this was different from the regulated markets.
“We’ve been meeting with businessmen and institutions that are concerned [with emission reduction], and a number of non-governmental organizations. We’ll also meet with capital market watchdog Bapepam-LK to discuss the draft,” Hadi said.
He said that his ministry was still open to any inputs from other institutions or the general public.
“This is part of our effort to improve the effectiveness of institutional structures governing the forestry sector so that we can attract more investors,” Hadi said.
Taufiq Alimi, Executive Chairman of the National Forestry Council, said he supported the initiative and there were two international standards on voluntary carbon trading that could be adapted.
“With some adjustments, Indonesia can apply either of the two standards now prevailing in the international market. They are the VCS [Voluntary Carbon Standard] and the CCBS [Community Climate Biodiversity Standard],” he said.
VCS and CCBS operate criteria for validating, measuring, and monitoring carbon offset projects on similar lines to the Kyoto Protocol.
Agus P. Sari, Country Director of Eco Securities in Indonesia, said good regulations are key factors in attracting carbon traders to enter the Indonesian carbon market.
Agus added analysts saw the voluntary carbon market as weak, with strong supply but weak demand.
“But the demand will be created through the soundness and effectiveness of regulations prevailing in the market and the growing awareness of green principles,” he said.
Indonesia has huge potential to trade carbon from its forestry, energy, and marine sectors. In the forestry sector alone, he quoted a report from the foundation of Prince Charles that estimated Indonesia had about 88.4 million hectares of forests with a total potential carbon market value of US$852 million.
Based on data from the Indonesian National Council on Climate Change (DNPI) between 2008 and 2012 Indonesia would have the potential to trade about 125 million tons of non-emitted carbon or 25 million tons per year from the energy sector, and up to 23 million tons per year from the forestry sector.
Source : http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/22/govt-allow-some-export-protected-forest-wood.html
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Hmm .... Carbon Trading [?]
by: Nordin *)
We now state carbon emissions or greenhouse gases in the world is very dangerous for the erosion of the ozone layer is a protective blanket of the earth from ultraviolet light and infra red sun. Danger due to this depletion is a kind of diseases and skin cancer more dangerous is global warming causes the melting of ice at the poles of the earth. This case may lead to continuous sinking islands in the world.
Who was lucky with Carbon Trading?
Global warming and climate change is a global problem because its impact is felt throughout the earth's surface. International negotiations have provided several alternatives to prevent the increase of this effect. One of them is carbon trading with a variety of mechanisms.
Lots of carbon emissions caused by industries that have emerged since the industrial revolution in northern countries (forward), so the biggest contributor to ozone destruction is a developed country with a variety of industries. Therefore, to reduce the level of carbon emissions, developed countries must reduce capacity and require industries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5 percent below 1990 emissions levels in 2012. For example the U.S. should reduce greenhouse gas intensity (Grk) by 18 percent over 10 years (2002-2012 period), ie from 183 tons per million dollars of GDP in 2002 to 151 tons per million dollars of GDP in 2012.
Another way is to stop illegal forest carbon sinks and rehabilitating the region. But those three things can not (do not even want to) be done by the developed countries such as America, Japan, Russia, Canada, and Australia. It is said that Canadian officials are also in the UNFCCC COP 7 says no need for sanctions for violating the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol. Why? due to lower industry capacity will be tossing their countries economies, unemployment will rise, crisis and economic paralysis. While preparing the forest carbon exploiters, the developed countries no longer have destroyed forests and had ever since the industrial revolution and world wars occurred much less to rehabilitate the region, of course it will cost a very expensive and nearly impossible in regions such as in-kawasn America is a barren area of the former mine.
With this condition, the easiest option and probably cheaper, and most are "urgent" tropical countries to continue to maintain their forests as carbon exploiters by "trade". Unfortunately the urge to provide a vacuum carbon in tropical countries are on average poor, not accompanied by [also] reduce the capacity of developed country industries. This means that the amount of emissions is still circulating in the atmosphere high world. Supposedly these two [the provision of carbon exploiters and the reduction of carbon-producing industry] done in tandem, resulting in a balance of responsibilities between the state north to the southern states.
Carbon Trade and the Environment Destroyer Wash Sins
As has been stated above that one of the main causes of the increasing depletion of the ozone layer is the result of emissions from industrial waste, primarily oil and gas industry. Despite undeniable that the demand for oil and gas are human needs that are still difficult to be replaced by other fuels, but due to industries that mengelurakan carbon into the atmosphere that is the contributor of ozone and air damage.
High Level Convention on Earth 13 years ago in Rio de Jenerio, Brazil recommends to do emissions of carbon reduction, but again and unfortunately developed countries in and with a sly hit the southern states to be responsible for this problem. In this case the northern states more accountable to see that the form of the answer is through environmental funds [such bio carbon fund].
Corporate producing their own carbon, which have been on a lot of natural resources and to dredge to the destruction of the environment and even human rights violations and working with a corrupt government and an oppressive military accountable only to the development fund without doing efforts for a comprehensive environmental improvement.
Sophisticated methods offered by the Corporate Thus, commonly called the greenwash, that is providing funds for environmental improvement works konvensasi they damage the environment. Environmental destruction is an area where funds are generated and then slyly given to institutions fund managers [funding agency] to perform like an improvement in other areas. The process undertaken is an attempt "wash sins' by Coorporate which actually only" pennies "or" chewing gum "only when compared with the value of the resulting damage.
Ironically, with this method many people who use them, especially the opportunists and the "unemployed" in developed countries [although in Indonesia they are usually regarded as the expert] by way of promises and false development and conservation projects in the southern environment . An example is a mining company Shell's oil and gas [Royal Dutch Shell] is based almost throughout the world who do greenwash by secreting several billion dollars of funds for forest protection projects and the rehabilitation of orangutans mammals [one of them in Central Kalimantan]
This project alone has claimed the unilateral governance area and close access to the people of the people with the justification that people can not manage it well or say that people are wrecking the environment. The approach taken covers 2 things, the grandiose promises of social and economic improvement in communities around the project site and perform the pressure through the authorities approach [usually always sell the names of key officials at the central government or regional]. Yet Shell itself is very bad behavior and human environment in place to work, for example in Nigeria, Africa [one of which is the case of murder Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 other Ogoni tribesmen in Nigeria.]
With maps such conditions, it can clearly be seen that the carbon trading mechanisms and the like have not been able to answer the global environmental damage even just provide the opportunity for damaging the environment for capital laundering made sin.
Other issues in carbon trading is the funding mechanism "above the sky", can not be touched directly by the public and can only be done by groups of intelligent [and sly] alone. Community back only to be spectators and recipients and the object of the show called carbon trading. In fact, not only the base communities are very vague and can not access this fund carbon mechanism, the government [areas] and the NGOs themselves are also very difficult and not yet understood this with carbon trading.
Only weakness is happening is that we are still happy to listen to the promises and fanciful to be "lottery" is called carbon trading. But we do not realize that whoever is the most disadvantaged, who reap the benefits and who is looking for a profit. Clearly there is no explanation that can provide enlightenment about access and opportunity to local communities.
*) Activists Save Our Borneo, former Director of WALHI Kalteng 1999-2006
We now state carbon emissions or greenhouse gases in the world is very dangerous for the erosion of the ozone layer is a protective blanket of the earth from ultraviolet light and infra red sun. Danger due to this depletion is a kind of diseases and skin cancer more dangerous is global warming causes the melting of ice at the poles of the earth. This case may lead to continuous sinking islands in the world.
Who was lucky with Carbon Trading?
Global warming and climate change is a global problem because its impact is felt throughout the earth's surface. International negotiations have provided several alternatives to prevent the increase of this effect. One of them is carbon trading with a variety of mechanisms.
Lots of carbon emissions caused by industries that have emerged since the industrial revolution in northern countries (forward), so the biggest contributor to ozone destruction is a developed country with a variety of industries. Therefore, to reduce the level of carbon emissions, developed countries must reduce capacity and require industries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5 percent below 1990 emissions levels in 2012. For example the U.S. should reduce greenhouse gas intensity (Grk) by 18 percent over 10 years (2002-2012 period), ie from 183 tons per million dollars of GDP in 2002 to 151 tons per million dollars of GDP in 2012.
Another way is to stop illegal forest carbon sinks and rehabilitating the region. But those three things can not (do not even want to) be done by the developed countries such as America, Japan, Russia, Canada, and Australia. It is said that Canadian officials are also in the UNFCCC COP 7 says no need for sanctions for violating the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol. Why? due to lower industry capacity will be tossing their countries economies, unemployment will rise, crisis and economic paralysis. While preparing the forest carbon exploiters, the developed countries no longer have destroyed forests and had ever since the industrial revolution and world wars occurred much less to rehabilitate the region, of course it will cost a very expensive and nearly impossible in regions such as in-kawasn America is a barren area of the former mine.
With this condition, the easiest option and probably cheaper, and most are "urgent" tropical countries to continue to maintain their forests as carbon exploiters by "trade". Unfortunately the urge to provide a vacuum carbon in tropical countries are on average poor, not accompanied by [also] reduce the capacity of developed country industries. This means that the amount of emissions is still circulating in the atmosphere high world. Supposedly these two [the provision of carbon exploiters and the reduction of carbon-producing industry] done in tandem, resulting in a balance of responsibilities between the state north to the southern states.
Carbon Trade and the Environment Destroyer Wash Sins
As has been stated above that one of the main causes of the increasing depletion of the ozone layer is the result of emissions from industrial waste, primarily oil and gas industry. Despite undeniable that the demand for oil and gas are human needs that are still difficult to be replaced by other fuels, but due to industries that mengelurakan carbon into the atmosphere that is the contributor of ozone and air damage.
High Level Convention on Earth 13 years ago in Rio de Jenerio, Brazil recommends to do emissions of carbon reduction, but again and unfortunately developed countries in and with a sly hit the southern states to be responsible for this problem. In this case the northern states more accountable to see that the form of the answer is through environmental funds [such bio carbon fund].
Corporate producing their own carbon, which have been on a lot of natural resources and to dredge to the destruction of the environment and even human rights violations and working with a corrupt government and an oppressive military accountable only to the development fund without doing efforts for a comprehensive environmental improvement.
Sophisticated methods offered by the Corporate Thus, commonly called the greenwash, that is providing funds for environmental improvement works konvensasi they damage the environment. Environmental destruction is an area where funds are generated and then slyly given to institutions fund managers [funding agency] to perform like an improvement in other areas. The process undertaken is an attempt "wash sins' by Coorporate which actually only" pennies "or" chewing gum "only when compared with the value of the resulting damage.
Ironically, with this method many people who use them, especially the opportunists and the "unemployed" in developed countries [although in Indonesia they are usually regarded as the expert] by way of promises and false development and conservation projects in the southern environment . An example is a mining company Shell's oil and gas [Royal Dutch Shell] is based almost throughout the world who do greenwash by secreting several billion dollars of funds for forest protection projects and the rehabilitation of orangutans mammals [one of them in Central Kalimantan]
This project alone has claimed the unilateral governance area and close access to the people of the people with the justification that people can not manage it well or say that people are wrecking the environment. The approach taken covers 2 things, the grandiose promises of social and economic improvement in communities around the project site and perform the pressure through the authorities approach [usually always sell the names of key officials at the central government or regional]. Yet Shell itself is very bad behavior and human environment in place to work, for example in Nigeria, Africa [one of which is the case of murder Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 other Ogoni tribesmen in Nigeria.]
With maps such conditions, it can clearly be seen that the carbon trading mechanisms and the like have not been able to answer the global environmental damage even just provide the opportunity for damaging the environment for capital laundering made sin.
Other issues in carbon trading is the funding mechanism "above the sky", can not be touched directly by the public and can only be done by groups of intelligent [and sly] alone. Community back only to be spectators and recipients and the object of the show called carbon trading. In fact, not only the base communities are very vague and can not access this fund carbon mechanism, the government [areas] and the NGOs themselves are also very difficult and not yet understood this with carbon trading.
Only weakness is happening is that we are still happy to listen to the promises and fanciful to be "lottery" is called carbon trading. But we do not realize that whoever is the most disadvantaged, who reap the benefits and who is looking for a profit. Clearly there is no explanation that can provide enlightenment about access and opportunity to local communities.
*) Activists Save Our Borneo, former Director of WALHI Kalteng 1999-2006
Sunday, October 18, 2009
317,615 hectares of Lampung ogled Protection Forest Carbon Trading
BANDAR LAMPUNG, TUESDAY (28/10/08) - Forest protected areas covering 317,615 hectares of Lampung current ogled developed countries to be included in carbon trading. Currently the Government of Lampung Province and contract review procedures offered by carbon trading.
Assistant II Governor of Lampung for the Economy, Finance, and Development (Ekubang), Djunaedi Jaya, Tuesday (28/10) in the exposure of international carbon trading partnership in the building said the Governor of Lampung, carbon trade cooperation will be beneficial Lampung. So far, known to protected forests in Lampung has a lot of damage.
"The damage occurs due to economic factors, communities and penetrated into the forest. Also damaged forests due to illegal logging as well. While we do not have sufficient funds to maintain and preserve the forest," said Djunaedi Jaya.
Based on the exposure, one ton of carbon valued around 1013 U.S. dollars (U.S.). Pricing is expected to continue to increase to 100 U.S. dollars per ton in 2012.
According Djunaedi, offer quite attractive. If Lampung with protected forest area of 317,615 hectares located in five districts are able to keep the forests, Lampung could get compensation of about 80 percent of carbon trading.
"Lampung Provincial Government will study the design of the carbon trading partnership. We will soon expose this offer to father the governor to follow up," said Djunaedi.
Erlyn Rommel, the local partner Carbon Strategic Global Ltd. (CSG) atai IBN Group based in Australia at the exposure, said the compensation fund should be used to preserve the forest. Appropriate trading mechanisms, CSG will see the potential of protected forests in Lampung and carbon production capacity.
Production capabilities will be multiplied by the price per ton of carbon. The result will be divided between the provincial government of Lampung, district forest owners, as well as CSG. If during the contract period forest damage severe enough, the contract will be terminated immediately.
In order to maintain the forest, CSG will facilitate the Lampung provincial government in terms of care and supervision of the forest. CSG rangers will recruit and pay high fees to help protect forests from logging or ebangan pen acts of vandalism. CSG will also provide education about forestry to the community around the protected forest.
According to Erlyn, carbon trading is attractive. Carbon trading is the compensation from industrialized countries come forward to pay for environmental damage they have created. The smoke generated carbon dioxide plants in Europe and the U.S. are destroying the ozone layer.
One way to repair the damage the ozone is to maintain the production of carbon from forests in Indonesia, Asia Pacific, South America or Papua New Guinea. Payment of compensation to be taken from developed countries are the environmental damage created.
CSG seeks to facilitate the regions in Indonesia which has the forest to obtain compensation for the carbon produced, as well as to maintain and preserve forests. (HLN)
Kompas.com
from : http://www.greenmining.info
Monday, October 12, 2009
GSK-BB Save One Billion Tons of Carbon
From : Kapanlagi.com
Forest Area Giam Siak Kecil, Bukit Batu (GSK-BB) which affirmed the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural (UNESCO) as a world biosphere reserve capacity to store carbon to one billion tons.
But of that amount, said Director of Environmental Sinar Mas Forestry (SMF), Canecio P. Munoz, in Jakarta, Tuesday, the potential for carbon sequestration that will be offered approximately 466 million tons. "SMF and some other parties have to calculate the potential carbon credits could reach 1 billion tons of carbon, but that will be offered in the carbon credit scheme of about 466 million tons," Munoz said after giving an explanation about the forest received GSK-BB into the World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 21st session Session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB-ICC).
Munoz explained that the carbon trading scheme will do is follow the SMF voluntary carbon trading mechanisms (voluntary carbon trading mechanism) which is also part of a pattern of "Reducing Emission from Deforestration and Degradation" (REDD).
For a while, he continued, SMF has done an assessment with several institutions engaged in projects and carbon emissions reductions such as the Global Eco Rescue (GER) Switzerland and Ausaid (Australia). "For a while only with the two institutions, but not final," said Munoz. In addition to carbon, he said, the potential for very large biodiversity as well as the flora that can be utilized as a medicinal plant. "Preserve the biosphere that can also be eco tourism," he said.
Because of its location close to Malaysia and Singapore, both countries can become eco tourism market that the biosphere reserve potential. Biosphere reserve could be a learning center site that could be marketed mainly to Singapore and developed countries around the world.
On May 26, 2009, UNESCO has established GSK-BB region into the World Biosphere Reserve. Chairman of the National Committee for Man and the Biosphere Indonesia, which is also Deputy LIPI Biological Sciences, Prof. Dr. Endang Sukara, said Indonesia received this proposal becomes even more special because the determination of the biosphere reserve was originally actually initiated by the forest industry sector.
"Proposed construction of the proposed biosphere reserve Sinar Mas is the first time in the world comes from the industrial sector. We hope this awareness can continue to be seamless, but it's also an example and a good starting point for the industry to be concerned with biodiversity conservation," said Endang.
Biosphere Reserves GSK-BB as one of 553 biosphere reserves spread over 124 countries and incorporated in the "UNESCO` s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) or a World Biosphere Reserve Network, UNESCO became so important and valuable to Indonesia. With the following area's uniqueness and biodiversity is owned, before the new Indonesia has six biosphere reserves. The last two biosphere reserves, namely Gunung Leuser Biosphere Reserve and the island of Siberut, established in 1981.
Thus, after 27 years of Indonesia have yet another new biosphere reserves. Munoz added very important for Sinar Mas to keep the environment as a prop to operate in a sustainable and bring benefits to the nation and state.
To be able to continue to produce, he said, Sinar Mas always planting and maintaining landscape (landscape) surrounding ecosystem as forest management concept of sustainable crop.
Biosphere Reserves GSK-BB which lies between the region and Bengkalis Regency Siak. In 2004, SMF with his partner - who had served as the main raw material supplier for Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) - setting aside forest areas covering 72,255 hectares of production as an ecological corridor, so the area Giam Siak Kecil and Bukit Batu incorporated into a conservation area .
Peat swamp forests Wildlife Giam Siak Kecil area of 84,967 hectares and Wildlife Bukit Batu area of 21,500 hectares is part of the eco-forest region of Sumatra which had previously been identified LIPI as an area that was inhabited at least 159 species of birds, 10 species of mammals, 13 species of fish, The following 8 species of reptiles 52 species of rare and protected plants.
Meanwhile, Secretary of Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (PHKA) Department of Forestry, Dr. Himawan Haryadi, assess inaugural biosphere reserves makes environmental resilience in the region increased. That, he says, means ensuring the existence of two wildlife reserves there. (Editing / cax)
Forest Area Giam Siak Kecil, Bukit Batu (GSK-BB) which affirmed the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural (UNESCO) as a world biosphere reserve capacity to store carbon to one billion tons.
But of that amount, said Director of Environmental Sinar Mas Forestry (SMF), Canecio P. Munoz, in Jakarta, Tuesday, the potential for carbon sequestration that will be offered approximately 466 million tons. "SMF and some other parties have to calculate the potential carbon credits could reach 1 billion tons of carbon, but that will be offered in the carbon credit scheme of about 466 million tons," Munoz said after giving an explanation about the forest received GSK-BB into the World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 21st session Session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB-ICC).
Munoz explained that the carbon trading scheme will do is follow the SMF voluntary carbon trading mechanisms (voluntary carbon trading mechanism) which is also part of a pattern of "Reducing Emission from Deforestration and Degradation" (REDD).
For a while, he continued, SMF has done an assessment with several institutions engaged in projects and carbon emissions reductions such as the Global Eco Rescue (GER) Switzerland and Ausaid (Australia). "For a while only with the two institutions, but not final," said Munoz. In addition to carbon, he said, the potential for very large biodiversity as well as the flora that can be utilized as a medicinal plant. "Preserve the biosphere that can also be eco tourism," he said.
Because of its location close to Malaysia and Singapore, both countries can become eco tourism market that the biosphere reserve potential. Biosphere reserve could be a learning center site that could be marketed mainly to Singapore and developed countries around the world.
On May 26, 2009, UNESCO has established GSK-BB region into the World Biosphere Reserve. Chairman of the National Committee for Man and the Biosphere Indonesia, which is also Deputy LIPI Biological Sciences, Prof. Dr. Endang Sukara, said Indonesia received this proposal becomes even more special because the determination of the biosphere reserve was originally actually initiated by the forest industry sector.
"Proposed construction of the proposed biosphere reserve Sinar Mas is the first time in the world comes from the industrial sector. We hope this awareness can continue to be seamless, but it's also an example and a good starting point for the industry to be concerned with biodiversity conservation," said Endang.
Biosphere Reserves GSK-BB as one of 553 biosphere reserves spread over 124 countries and incorporated in the "UNESCO` s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) or a World Biosphere Reserve Network, UNESCO became so important and valuable to Indonesia. With the following area's uniqueness and biodiversity is owned, before the new Indonesia has six biosphere reserves. The last two biosphere reserves, namely Gunung Leuser Biosphere Reserve and the island of Siberut, established in 1981.
Thus, after 27 years of Indonesia have yet another new biosphere reserves. Munoz added very important for Sinar Mas to keep the environment as a prop to operate in a sustainable and bring benefits to the nation and state.
To be able to continue to produce, he said, Sinar Mas always planting and maintaining landscape (landscape) surrounding ecosystem as forest management concept of sustainable crop.
Biosphere Reserves GSK-BB which lies between the region and Bengkalis Regency Siak. In 2004, SMF with his partner - who had served as the main raw material supplier for Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) - setting aside forest areas covering 72,255 hectares of production as an ecological corridor, so the area Giam Siak Kecil and Bukit Batu incorporated into a conservation area .
Peat swamp forests Wildlife Giam Siak Kecil area of 84,967 hectares and Wildlife Bukit Batu area of 21,500 hectares is part of the eco-forest region of Sumatra which had previously been identified LIPI as an area that was inhabited at least 159 species of birds, 10 species of mammals, 13 species of fish, The following 8 species of reptiles 52 species of rare and protected plants.
Meanwhile, Secretary of Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (PHKA) Department of Forestry, Dr. Himawan Haryadi, assess inaugural biosphere reserves makes environmental resilience in the region increased. That, he says, means ensuring the existence of two wildlife reserves there. (Editing / cax)
KYOTO PROTOCOL
KYOTO PROTOCOL The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or FCCC), aimed at combating global warming. The UNFCC is an international environmental treaty with the goal of achieving "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system." The Protocol was initially adopted on 11 December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan and entered into force on 16 February 2005. As of February 2009, 183 states have signed and ratified the protocol. The most notable non-member of the Protocol is the United States, which is a signatory of UNFCC. The Protocol establishes legally binding commitment for the reduction of four greenhouse gases (GHG) (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride), and two groups of gases (hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons) produced by "annex I" (industrialized) countries, as well as general commitments for all member countries. Under the Protocol, industrialized countries agreed to reduce their collective greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2% from the 1990 level. National limitations range from the reduction of 8% for the European Union and others to 7% for the United States (non-binding as the US is not a signatory), 6% for Japan, and 0% for Russia. The treaty permitted the emission increases of 8% for Australia and 10% for Iceland. The Protocol allows for several "flexible mechanisms", such as Emissions Trading, the Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation to allow annex I countries to meet their GHG emission limitations by purchasing GHG emission reductions credits from elsewhere, through financial exchanges, projects that reduce emissions in non-annex I countries, from other annex I countries, or from annex I countries with excess allowances. In practice this means that non-annex I countries have no GHG emission restrictions, but have financial incentives to develop GHG emission reduction projects to receive "carbon credits" that can then be sold to annex I countries, encouraging sustainable development. In addition, the flexible mechanisms allow annex I countries with efficient, low GHG-emitting industries, and high prevailing environmental standards to purchase carbon credits on the world market instead of reducing greenhouse gas emissions domestically. Annex I countries typically will want to acquire carbon credits as cheaply as possible, while non-annex I countries want to maximize the value of carbon credits generated from their domestic Greenhouse Gas Projects. All annex I countries have established Designated National Authorities to manage their greenhouse gas portfolios, and countries including Japan, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain and others are actively promoting government carbon funds, supporting multilateral carbon funds intent on purchasing carbon credits from non-annex I countries, and are working closely with their major utility, energy, oil and gas and chemicals conglomerates to acquire greenhouse gas certificates as cheaply as possible.[citation needed] Virtually all of the non-annex I countries have also established Designated National Authorities to manage the Kyoto process, specifically the "CDM process" that determines which GHG Projects they wish to propose for accreditation by the CDM Executive Board. Source Wikipedia |
CLIMATE CHANGE, AND FORESTS IN INDONESIA peatlands (CCFPI)
by I Nyoman Suryadiputra
Project Fasilitator – CCFPI
Direktur Teknis Wetlands International – Indonesia Programme
Climate Change, Forests and peatlands in Indonesia (CCFPI) is a joint project
undertaken by Wetlands International - Indonesia Program in cooperation with the Wildlife Habitat Canada. The project is funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Climate Change Development Fund), and had implemented during the period August 2001 - March 2005. This project is specifically designed to support the implementation of Framework for the UN Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) for Canada and Indonesia and organized through various activities involving the participation of various stakeholders (communities and government elements) within the framework of conservation and rehabilitation of land and peat forests in Indonesia.
We have several projects (including CCFPI) in Indonesia that explicitly focus
attention on the issue of climate change and even some of the LULUCF sector (Land Use, Land Use Change on Forestry) at the community level. However, CCFPI is the first project to adopt the modalities "learning by doing" on a specific ecosystem, namely peatlands. The advantages of this project, which in turn are expected to have contributed to efforts to increase understanding and coping with climate change, lies in the existence of inisiatifinisiatif follows:
1. Get involve local communities and social considerations-economic-ecological
efforts into the prevention of climate change
2. He raised the issue of land and peat forests as an important component of climate change terrestrial carbon store in bulk and importance in the global scale as well as current existence is threatened
3. Inclusion of the efforts of local community income with activities protection and rehabilitation of peatlands in terms of climate change.
Of the three elements mentioned above are expected to form a pattern of peatland management of community-based coupled with economic benefits and environmental benefits, namely the binding of carbon by peatlands and can be measured by the community. In operate in the field, CCFPI project will take place at various locations in Central Kalimantan and Sumatra. For Central Kalimantan, the project will be conducted at CCFPI Natural Laboratory of Peat Swamp Forest Sebangau / LAHRGS (area about 50,000 ha), the location of ex-Block C Peatlands Project and One Million Hectare-Buntok Puning River.
Activities in the Laboratory of Natural HRGS aimed at businesses:
1. Improving the status of protection HRGS Natural Laboratory
2. LAHRGS management plans
3. Peatland areas rehabilitate logged-over, burnt and degradation
4. Involving local communities in protection efforts and the rehabilitation LAHRGS
5. Increasing the options increase in local livelihoods
Activities at the site Block C, ex-Project One Million Hectare Peat will be devoted to efforts:
1. Restoration of hydrological systems in several ex-canal PLG Million Hectare by closing / blocking these channels. With the closure of the canal is expected to face water in peat land will rise and the potential of peat fires in the future can be reduced. In the canals will be closed all aquaculture activities so that these activities can provide product to surrounding communities.
2. Establishment of a model of the canal restoration is expected to be applied also to lokasilokasi
others in Indonesia's peatlands
3. Reducing the rate of damage and risk of peat fires
Activities at the site-Buntok Puning River aims to:
1. Creating a pattern of management of community-based peatland
2. Create economic activities are environmental friendly
3. Community participation in conservation efforts Puning River peatland
4. Strengthening the structure of social organizations Puning River Village
Both locations on the first activity will be done through CCFPI Cooperation Program (in this case, WI-IP) with CIMTROP - University of Palangkaraya. As for the location of the three activities, namely the River Puning - Buntok, will be done through partnership programs with CCFPI KEHATI Foundation (WI-IP) and the field was facilitated by the Joint Secretariat Buntok NGOs. All activities in Central Kalimantan CCFPI in kordinasikan by Field Coordinator (Kalimantan Site Coordinator) who is the representative CCFPI in Central Kalimantan.
To Sumatra, the project will be conducted in CCFPI two province, the Jambi and South Sumatra. For Jambi Province, took place in village activities Mendahara Ulu / Simpang Kiri (Peat Protected Forest near Feather River); at River Village Rambut, Aur river and Air Hitam Dalam river (near National Park Buffer Area Berbak). In South Sumatra Province, the activities took place in the village of Sungai Merang, ie candidate buffer region Sembilang National Park.
Basically, all the activities carried out in Sumatra is to include people from several villages around the area of conservation and protected areas (ie: Berbak National Park in Jambi, candidates Sembilang National Park in South Sumatra and Protected Forest Areas in the Feather River Ulu Mendahara Jambi) in saving measures peat lands and forests around it, through various economic activities are environmentally sound. Community participation from the villages mentioned above were facilitated by local NGOs, namely the NGOs Yasasan Pinang A (Pinse) to locations in Jambi and activities by the NGO Wahana Bumi Hijau (WBH) for activities in South Sumatra. All the activities in Sumatra is coordinated by the Coordinator of Field (Sumatra Site Coordinator) CCFPI representative based in Jambi.
Economic activities (eg agricultural cultivation, fishery, animal husbandry, etc.) that will be made public will be funded by a grant CCFPI but as compensation, the community groups who receive grants are required to conduct investment activities / rehabilitation and maintenance of his land and the surrounding peat. All the activities above will receive aid / technical direction by the CCFPI project. The assistance may include training in the sectors of economic activity (such as agroforestry techniques, silviculture, making handicrafts, aquaculture, animal husbandry, agriculture, etc.) or referral to the service sector environment.
In addition to activities that took place in the buffer mentioned above, will also CCFPI
doing rehabilitation efforts burnt land contained in Berbak TN area. This activity will involve the private sector (HPH), the manager of TN and the surrounding community Berbak TNB. Recently (in August-September 2002), in cooperation with the CCFPI TNB managers, local NGOs and communities around TNB has conducted programs in extinguishing the fire in TNB and the surrounding area. Similar activities are also conducted at the project site plan in Central Kalimantan by involving various government agencies and the general public.
At the national and international level, CCFPI Project supported by the involvement of experts peat. Their involvement is more aimed at providing technical guidance on measurement techniques in a simple carbon in the pilot sites, identifying management practices best peat (best management practice) that can be applied at the pilot locations, preparing bahanbahan environmental campaigns and public awareness (both for the officials and the general public) in the field of preservation of peat, especially in the context of the UNFCCC climate change issues and CDM.
CCFPI project also allocates some funds (small grants funding) that will be given to
a number of community groups around the project site. These funds will be allocated through a special programs, in which groups of people who are interested are required to submit proposals (course must meet the requirements set by the project CCFPI) to the Co-ordinator CCFPI Field in Central Kalimantan and in Sumatra.
Project Fasilitator – CCFPI
Direktur Teknis Wetlands International – Indonesia Programme
Climate Change, Forests and peatlands in Indonesia (CCFPI) is a joint project
undertaken by Wetlands International - Indonesia Program in cooperation with the Wildlife Habitat Canada. The project is funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Climate Change Development Fund), and had implemented during the period August 2001 - March 2005. This project is specifically designed to support the implementation of Framework for the UN Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) for Canada and Indonesia and organized through various activities involving the participation of various stakeholders (communities and government elements) within the framework of conservation and rehabilitation of land and peat forests in Indonesia.
We have several projects (including CCFPI) in Indonesia that explicitly focus
attention on the issue of climate change and even some of the LULUCF sector (Land Use, Land Use Change on Forestry) at the community level. However, CCFPI is the first project to adopt the modalities "learning by doing" on a specific ecosystem, namely peatlands. The advantages of this project, which in turn are expected to have contributed to efforts to increase understanding and coping with climate change, lies in the existence of inisiatifinisiatif follows:
1. Get involve local communities and social considerations-economic-ecological
efforts into the prevention of climate change
2. He raised the issue of land and peat forests as an important component of climate change terrestrial carbon store in bulk and importance in the global scale as well as current existence is threatened
3. Inclusion of the efforts of local community income with activities protection and rehabilitation of peatlands in terms of climate change.
Of the three elements mentioned above are expected to form a pattern of peatland management of community-based coupled with economic benefits and environmental benefits, namely the binding of carbon by peatlands and can be measured by the community. In operate in the field, CCFPI project will take place at various locations in Central Kalimantan and Sumatra. For Central Kalimantan, the project will be conducted at CCFPI Natural Laboratory of Peat Swamp Forest Sebangau / LAHRGS (area about 50,000 ha), the location of ex-Block C Peatlands Project and One Million Hectare-Buntok Puning River.
Activities in the Laboratory of Natural HRGS aimed at businesses:
1. Improving the status of protection HRGS Natural Laboratory
2. LAHRGS management plans
3. Peatland areas rehabilitate logged-over, burnt and degradation
4. Involving local communities in protection efforts and the rehabilitation LAHRGS
5. Increasing the options increase in local livelihoods
Activities at the site Block C, ex-Project One Million Hectare Peat will be devoted to efforts:
1. Restoration of hydrological systems in several ex-canal PLG Million Hectare by closing / blocking these channels. With the closure of the canal is expected to face water in peat land will rise and the potential of peat fires in the future can be reduced. In the canals will be closed all aquaculture activities so that these activities can provide product to surrounding communities.
2. Establishment of a model of the canal restoration is expected to be applied also to lokasilokasi
others in Indonesia's peatlands
3. Reducing the rate of damage and risk of peat fires
Activities at the site-Buntok Puning River aims to:
1. Creating a pattern of management of community-based peatland
2. Create economic activities are environmental friendly
3. Community participation in conservation efforts Puning River peatland
4. Strengthening the structure of social organizations Puning River Village
Both locations on the first activity will be done through CCFPI Cooperation Program (in this case, WI-IP) with CIMTROP - University of Palangkaraya. As for the location of the three activities, namely the River Puning - Buntok, will be done through partnership programs with CCFPI KEHATI Foundation (WI-IP) and the field was facilitated by the Joint Secretariat Buntok NGOs. All activities in Central Kalimantan CCFPI in kordinasikan by Field Coordinator (Kalimantan Site Coordinator) who is the representative CCFPI in Central Kalimantan.
To Sumatra, the project will be conducted in CCFPI two province, the Jambi and South Sumatra. For Jambi Province, took place in village activities Mendahara Ulu / Simpang Kiri (Peat Protected Forest near Feather River); at River Village Rambut, Aur river and Air Hitam Dalam river (near National Park Buffer Area Berbak). In South Sumatra Province, the activities took place in the village of Sungai Merang, ie candidate buffer region Sembilang National Park.
Basically, all the activities carried out in Sumatra is to include people from several villages around the area of conservation and protected areas (ie: Berbak National Park in Jambi, candidates Sembilang National Park in South Sumatra and Protected Forest Areas in the Feather River Ulu Mendahara Jambi) in saving measures peat lands and forests around it, through various economic activities are environmentally sound. Community participation from the villages mentioned above were facilitated by local NGOs, namely the NGOs Yasasan Pinang A (Pinse) to locations in Jambi and activities by the NGO Wahana Bumi Hijau (WBH) for activities in South Sumatra. All the activities in Sumatra is coordinated by the Coordinator of Field (Sumatra Site Coordinator) CCFPI representative based in Jambi.
Economic activities (eg agricultural cultivation, fishery, animal husbandry, etc.) that will be made public will be funded by a grant CCFPI but as compensation, the community groups who receive grants are required to conduct investment activities / rehabilitation and maintenance of his land and the surrounding peat. All the activities above will receive aid / technical direction by the CCFPI project. The assistance may include training in the sectors of economic activity (such as agroforestry techniques, silviculture, making handicrafts, aquaculture, animal husbandry, agriculture, etc.) or referral to the service sector environment.
In addition to activities that took place in the buffer mentioned above, will also CCFPI
doing rehabilitation efforts burnt land contained in Berbak TN area. This activity will involve the private sector (HPH), the manager of TN and the surrounding community Berbak TNB. Recently (in August-September 2002), in cooperation with the CCFPI TNB managers, local NGOs and communities around TNB has conducted programs in extinguishing the fire in TNB and the surrounding area. Similar activities are also conducted at the project site plan in Central Kalimantan by involving various government agencies and the general public.
At the national and international level, CCFPI Project supported by the involvement of experts peat. Their involvement is more aimed at providing technical guidance on measurement techniques in a simple carbon in the pilot sites, identifying management practices best peat (best management practice) that can be applied at the pilot locations, preparing bahanbahan environmental campaigns and public awareness (both for the officials and the general public) in the field of preservation of peat, especially in the context of the UNFCCC climate change issues and CDM.
CCFPI project also allocates some funds (small grants funding) that will be given to
a number of community groups around the project site. These funds will be allocated through a special programs, in which groups of people who are interested are required to submit proposals (course must meet the requirements set by the project CCFPI) to the Co-ordinator CCFPI Field in Central Kalimantan and in Sumatra.
Sources of carbon offsets
The CDM identifies over 200 types of projects suitable for generating carbon offsets, which are grouped into broad categories. These project types include renewable energy, methane abatement, energy efficiency, reforestation and fuel switching.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy offsets commonly include wind power, solar power, hydroelectric power and biofuel. Some of these offsets are used to reduce the cost differential between renewable and conventional energy production, increasing the commercial viability of a choice to use renewable energy sources.
Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) are also sometimes treated as carbon offsets, although the concepts are distinct. Whereas a carbon offset represents a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a REC represents a quantity of energy produced from renewable sources. To convert RECs into offsets, the clean energy must be translated into carbon reductions, typically by assuming that the clean energy is displacing an equivalent amount of conventionally produced electricity from the local grid. This is known as an indirect offset (because the reduction doesn't take place at the project site itself, but rather at an external site), and some controversy surrounds the question of whether they truly lead to "additional" emission reductions and who should get credit for any reductions that may occur.
Methane collection and combustion
Some offset projects consist of the combustion or containment of methane generated by farm animals, landfills or other industrial waste. Methane has a global warming potential (GWP) 23 times that of CO2; when combusted, each molecule of methane is converted to one molecule of CO2, thus reducing the global warming effect by 96%. Methane can also be generated using an anaerobic digester.
An example of a project using a anaerobic digester can be found in Chile where in December 2000, the largest pork production company in Chile, initiated a voluntary process to implement advanced waste management systems (anaerobic and aerobic digestion of hog manure), in order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Energy efficiency
While carbon offsets which fund renewable energy projects help lower the carbon intensity of energy supply, energy conservation projects seek to reduce the overall demand for energy. Carbon offsets in this category fund projects of several types:
- Cogeneration plants generate both electricity and heat from the same power source, thus improving upon the energy efficiency of most power plants which waste the energy generated as heat.
- Fuel efficiency projects replace a combustion device with one which uses less fuel per unit of energy provided. Assuming energy demand does not change, this reduces the carbon dioxide emitted.
- Energy-efficient buildings reduce the amount of energy wasted in buildings through efficient heating, cooling or lighting systems. In particular, the replacement of incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps can have a drastic effect on energy consumption. New buildings can also be constructed using less carbon-intensive input materials.
Destruction of industrial pollutants
Industrial pollutants such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) have a GWP many thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide by volume. Because these pollutants are easily captured and destroyed at their source, they present a large and low-cost source of carbon offsets. As a category, HFCs, PFCs, and N2O reductions represent 71% of offsets issued under the CDM.
Land use, land-use change and forestry
Land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) projects focus on natural carbon sinks such as forests and soil. Deforestation, particularly in Brazil, Indonesia and parts of Africa, account for about 20% of greenhouse gas emissions. Deforestation can be avoided either by paying directly for forest preservation, or by using offset funds to provide substitutes for forest-based products. There is a class of mechanisms referred to as REDD schemes (Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation), which may be included in a post-Kyoto agreement. REDD credits provide carbon offsets for the protection of forests, and provide a possible mechanism to allow funding from developed nations to assist in the protection of native forests in developing nations.
Almost half of the world's people burn wood (or fiber or dung) for their cooking and heating needs. Fuel-efficient cook stoves can reduce fuel wood consumption by 30 to 50%, though the warming of the earth due to decreases in particulate matter (i.e. smoke) from such fuel-efficient stoves has not been addressed. There are a number of different types of LULUCF projects:
- Avoided deforestation is the protection of existing forests.
- Reforestation is the process of restoring forests on land that was once forested.
- Afforestation is the process of creating forests on land that was previously unforested, typically for longer than a generation.
- Soil management projects attempt to preserve or increase the amount of carbon sequestered in soil.
Purchase of carbon allowances from emissions trading schemes
Voluntary purchasers can offset their carbon emissions by purchasing carbon allowances from legally mandated cap-and-trade programs such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative or the European Emissions Trading Scheme. By purchasing the allowances that power plants, oil refineries, and industrial facilities need to hold to comply with a cap, voluntary purchases tighten the cap and force additional emissions reductions.
Links with emission trading schemes
Main article: Carbon Credit
Once it has been accredited by the UNFCCC a carbon offset project can be used as carbon credit and linked with official emission trading schemes, such as the European Union Emission Trading Scheme or Kyoto Protocol, as Certified Emission Reductions. European emission allowances for the 2008-2012 second phase were selling for between 21 and 24 Euros per metric ton of CO2 as of July 2007.
The voluntary Chicago Climate Exchange also includes a carbon offset scheme that allows offset project developers to sell emissions reductions to CCX members who have voluntarily agreed to meet emissions reduction targets.
The Western Climate Initiative, a regional greenhouse gas reduction initiative by states and provinces along the western rim of North America, includes an offset scheme. Likewise, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a similar program in the northeastern U.S., includes an offset program. A credit mechanism that uses offsets may be incorporated in proposed schemes such as the Australian Carbon Exchange.
Other
A UK offset provider set up a carbon offsetting scheme which set up a secondary market for treadle pumps in developing countries. These pumps are used by farmers, using human power, in place of diesel pumps. However, given that treadle pumps are best suited to pumping shallow water, while diesel pumps are usually used to pump water from deep boreholes, it is not clear that the treadle pumps are actually achieving real emissions reductions. Other companies have explored and rejected treadle pumps as a viable carbon offsetting approach due to these concerns.
Accounting for and verifying reductions
Due to their indirect nature, many types of offset are difficult to verify. Some providers obtain independent certification that their offsets are accurately measured, to distance themselves from potentially fraudulent competitors. The credibility of the various certification providers is often questioned. Certified offsets may be purchased from commercial or non-profit organizations for US$1–30 per tonne of CO2, due to fluctuations of market price. Annual carbon dioxide emissions in developed countries range from 6 to 23 tons per capita.
Accounting systems differ on precisely what constitutes a valid offset for voluntary reduction systems and for mandatory reduction systems. However formal standards for quantification exist based on collaboration between emitters, regulators, environmentalists and project developers. These standards include the Voluntary Carbon Standard, Green-e Climate, Chicago Climate Exchange and the CDM Gold Standard, the latter of which expands upon the requirements for the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol.
Accounting of offsets may address the following basic areas:
- Baseline and Measurement - What emissions would occur in the absence of a proposed project? And how are the emissions which occur after the project is performed going to be measured?
- Additionality - Would the project occur anyway without the investment raised by selling carbon offset credits? There are two common reasons why a project may lack additionality: (a) if it is intrinsically financially worthwhile due to energy cost savings, and (b) if it had to be performed due to environmental laws or regulations.
- Permanence - Are some benefits of the reductions reversible? (for example, trees may be harvested to burn the wood, and does growing trees for fuel wood decrease the need for fossil fuel?) If woodlands are increasing in area or density, then carbon is being sequestered. After roughly 50 years, newly planted forests will reach maturity and remove carbon dioxide more slowly.
- Leakage - Does implementing the project cause higher emissions outside the project boundary?
Co-benefits
While the primary goal of carbon offsets is to reduce global carbon emissions, many offset projects also claim to lead to improvements in the quality of life for a local population. These additional improvements are termed co-benefits, and may be considered when evaluating and comparing carbon offset projects. Some possible co-benefits from a project which replaces wood burning stoves with ovens which use a less carbon-intensive fuel include:
- Lower non greenhouse gas pollution, which improves health in the home.
- Improved safety for women who used to go alone into the forest to collect firewood, and were thus exposed to danger of violence.
- Better education for children who need no longer spend so much time collecting wood fuel.
- Better preservation of forests, which are an important habitat for wildlife.
In a recent survey conducted by EcoSecurities, Conservation International, CCBA and ClimateBiz, of the 120 corporates survyed more than 77% rated community and environmental benefits as the prime motivator for purchasing carbon offsets.
Carbon offset projects can also negatively affect quality of life. For example, people who earn their livelihoods from collecting firewood and selling it to households could become unemployed if firewood is no longer used. A paper from the Overseas Development Institute offers some indicators to be used in assessing the potential developmental impacts of voluntary carbon offset scheme :
- What potential does the project have for income generation?
- What effects might a project have on future changes in land use and could conflicts arise from this?
- Can small-scale producers engage in the scheme?
- What are the 'add on' benefits to the country - for example, will it assist capacity-building in local institutions?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
CARBON OFFSET
A carbon offset is a financial instrument aimed at a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e) and may represent six primary categories of greenhouse gases. One carbon offset represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases.
There are two markets for carbon offsets. In the larger, compliance market, companies, governments, or other entities buy carbon offsets in order to comply with caps on the total amount of carbon dioxide they are allowed to emit. In 2006, about $5.5 billion of carbon offsets were purchased in the compliance market, representing about 1.6 billion metric tons of CO2e reductions.
In the much smaller, voluntary market, individuals, companies, or governments purchase carbon offsets to mitigate their own greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electricity use, and other sources. For example, an individual might purchase carbon offsets to compensate for the greenhouse gas emissions caused by personal air travel. Many companies offer carbon offsets as an up-sell during the sales process so that customers can mitigate the emissions related with their product or service purchase (such as offsetting emissions related to a vacation flight, car rental, hotel stay, consumer good, etc). In 2008, about $705 million of carbon offsets were purchased in the voluntary market, representing about 123.4 million metric tons of CO2e reductions.
Offsets are typically achieved through financial support of projects that reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in the short- or long-term. The most common project type is renewable energy, such as wind farms, biomass energy, or hydroelectric dams. Others include energy efficiency projects, the destruction of industrial pollutants or agricultural byproducts, destruction of landfill methane, and forestry projects. Some of the most popular carbon offset projects from a corporate perspective are energy efficiency and wind turbine projects.
Carbon offsetting has gained some appeal and momentum mainly among consumers in western countries who have become aware and concerned about the potentially negative environmental effects of energy-intensive lifestyles and economies. The Kyoto Protocol has sanctioned offsets as a way for governments and private companies to earn carbon credits which can be traded on a marketplace. The protocol established the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which validates and measures projects to ensure they produce authentic benefits and are genuinely "additional" activities that would not otherwise have been undertaken. Organizations that are unable to meet their emissions quota can offset their emissions by buying CDM-approved Certified Emissions Reductions.
Offsets may be cheaper or more convenient alternatives to reducing one's own fossil-fuel consumption. However, some critics object to carbon offsets, and question the benefits of certain types of offsets.
Offsets are viewed as an important policy tool to maintain stable economies. One of the hidden dangers of climate change policy is unequal prices of carbon in the economy, which can cause economic collateral damage if production flows to regions or industries that have a lower price of carbon - unless carbon can be purchased from that area, which offsets effectively permit, equalizing the price.
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