From Clean Development to Strategic Sustainable Development: A strategic approach to the Clean Development Mechanism

Category: Climate & Carbon
Academic Level: Graduate
Type of Resource: Research Papers
Publisher: Blekinge Institute of Technology
Published Date: Jun 2006

Abstract:
Under the Kyoto Protocol, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has
the dual objectives of facilitating a cost-effective way of meeting
greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and contributing to global
sustainable development. Due in part to a lack of consensus on definitions
of sustainability and sustainable development and a lack of capacity to
address these concepts, there is a risk that CDM projects may fail to move
the host country towards sustainability. We suggest the use of a scientific,
principle-based definition of sustainability to guide project participants in
their decision-making process. We propose a user-friendly project planning
tool – CDM Select – that can build capacity for project developers to
employ a strategic, whole-system approach to sustainable development and
increase the likelihood that CDM projects move society towards
sustainability. Early review of CDM Select by experts and practitioners in
the CDM arena indicate that it has strong potential to assist in these efforts.

Keywords: Clean Development Mechanism, sustainable development,
strategic planning.