Under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), companies from developed countries can undertake projects in developing countries to reduce emissions and receive carbon credits. However, projects need to meet the stringent eligibility criteria set out in the CDM rules. For new participants, these can seem intricate and overwhelming — especially without a single, authoritative resource to consult. And first-time players are often from developing countries where English is usually a second language.
To help stakeholders navigate CDM complexities and promote best practices, our Global Climate Change practice has written the CDM Rulebook website located at www.cdmrulebook.org. A comprehensive online database for CDM regulations under the Kyoto Protocol, the Rulebook is the first logically-sequenced information source available. Members of the public and market participants can access the Rulebook online at no cost.
"The CDM Rulebook represents a major step forward in the dissemination and understanding of the CDM rules. The availability of the site will remedy the serious barriers to accessing information, particularly for those in developing countries, and will contribute to reducing transaction costs," said Paul Curnow, Climate Change partner and website editor.
A powerful search engine allows users to access content easily. Users can browse the rules by the stages of the CDM project cycle, by the bodies involved in the CDM process and through an A-Z index. A frequently asked questions page is also available, where users can submit questions or terms that need to be defined.
The website was developed with funding from eight donor organizations: the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Swedish Energy Agency, the Australian Department of Climate Change, the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment, the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations Development Program, the World Bank and the UNEP Risoe Center.
Following the successful launch of the CDM Rulebook, Baker & McKenzie has written and produced its sister in the JI Rulebook, which can be accessed through www.jirulebook.org.