12 nov 2007
Incentives to Reduce GHG Emissions from Deforestation
Katia Karousakis
Global deforestation is occurring at a fast rate, around 13 million ha/yr (FAO, 2006) and is a major contributor to climate change. Emissions from deforestation in the 1990s are estimated at 5.8Gt/CO2/yr, and account for one-fifth of global anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHG). Moreover, deforestation is the major source of GHG emissions from the land use, land-use change and forestry sector, it constitutes the main source of GHG emissions from many developing countries, and, at a global scale, GHG emissions from deforestation are higher than the total amount produced by the transport sector annually.
12 nov 2007
Policy Frameworks for Adaptation to Climate Change in Coastal Zones
Ellina Levina, John Jacob, Luis Enrique Ramos Bustillos, Ivonne Ortiz
The aim of this paper is to identify and analyse policy frameworks that are important for facilitating adaptation to climate change impacts in coastal zones. The paper is based on a case study analysis of the Gulf of Mexico and examines two countries, the US and Mexico. It considers two climate change effects specific to coastal areas: sea level rise and storms.
12 nov 2007
Overcoming Barriers to Clean Development Mechanism Projects
Jane Ellis, Sami Kamel
The market for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects is continuing to grow rapidly, with the current portfolio expecting to deliver 2 billion tons of CO2-eq greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions by 2012, equivalent to 17% of Annex I Parties’ base year GHG emissions. In total, governments and companies have earmarked over USD11 billion for CDM funding to 2012. This study analyses the various barriers to CDM market expansion in developing countries, and makes recommendations on how some of them can be removed or reduced. It also examines the distribution of CDM projects amongst regions and sectors.