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Projects under Article 6 of the Kyoto Protocol: Joint Implementation
Presented by the UNFCCC
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Highlighting that Joint Implementation (JI) was a critical element of the Marrakech Accords, Christine Zumkeller, UNFCCC, noted that a balance was struck in Marrakech between environmental integrity and economic attractiveness. Acknowledging that more attention has been given to the CDM than to JI so far, she stated that the UNFCCC Secretariat envisions a dynamic process for JI following the first COP/Meeting of the Parties and the establishment of a JI supervisory committee.
Sushma Gera, Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, outlined the results of the first UNFCCC Workshop on the Implementation of Article 6 Projects, held in Moscow, Russian Federation, from 26-27 May 2004. She explained that Workshop participants discussed, inter alia, setting up national institutions, facilitating arrangements, and unlocking project potential. Gera noted that potential host and investor countries described their experiences with early project activities, and members of the CDM Executive Board also shared their experiences. She highlighted that all presentations from the Workshop are available on the UNFCCC website.
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Daniela Stoycheva, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Environment and Water, underscores that JI projects provide Bulgaria with economic, environmental and social benefits.
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Sergey Tulinov, Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and
Environmental Monitoring, identified the need to accelerate the establishment of simple and transparent national procedures for JI in the Russian Federation. He said the first UNFCCC Workshop on Implementation of Article 6 Projects was a good start as it allowed participants to exchange views, information and experiences.
Regarding JI projects in Bulgaria, Daniela Stoycheva, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Environment and Water, highlighted that her country has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland and the World Bank Protocol Carbon Fund, and noted that Denmark is helping Bulgaria update its JI procedures and criteria. She said Bulgaria is exploring the possibility of introducing a green investment scheme, and expressed concern that the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and Linking Directive might limit JI possibilities. Emphasizing that it is arduous for Bulgaria to follow the different criteria imposed by various investor countries, Stoycheva noted that the Netherlands will host a workshop to consider establishing common formats and procedures, at least within the EU. She expressed concern that the majority of JI investments will go to the Russian Federation, and urged investor countries to consider geographical balance.
Jan Pretel, Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, highlighted a reasonably high JI potential in the Czech Republic. He noted that the Czech Government recently approved a national climate change action plan, which is relevant for JI activities, and that the country would have a registry in place by the end of this year or next.
Peter Pedersen, Danish Environmental Protection Agency, highlighted that while Denmark has achieved considerable domestic emission reductions, it also intends to use the Kyoto Protocol mechanisms as they are cost effective. He said Denmark is interested in “greening” JI projects, such as Bulgaria’s potential green investment scheme, and would like to maintain a diverse portfolio of JI projects in a variety of Central and Eastern European countries.
Reginald Hernaus, Netherlands’ Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment, said the Netherlands will manage risk by maintaining geographical balance in its JI activities, and has already signed MOUs with Bulgaria, Latvia, Hungary, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. He said that harmonization of JI documents may be worthwhile, and expressed satisfaction that increased attention is now being given to JI.
Georg Børsting, CDM Executive Board, said the UNFCCC Workshop on the Implementation of Article 6 Projects demonstrated that while there is considerable potential for, and interest, in JI, there are also significant challenges. He stated that it is possible to learn from the experiences of the CDM, particularly with regard to institutions and procedures, accreditation, and methodolocial issues, but underscored that there are important differences between the CDM and JI.
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Panelists discuss the first UNFCCC Workshop on the Implementation of Article 6 Projects, held in Moscow, Russian Federation.
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