News Archives
JI Action Group publishes Position paper on JI negotiations in Durban
(17 Oct 2011) At the international climate negotiations in Durban from 28 November till 9 December, the future of JI will be discussed based on several proposals from the JISC. The JI Action Group has analysed these proposals and drafted a Position Paper for the negotiators in Durban. The Paper addresses the issues which are most important for the future of JI. Download the Position Paper.
JISC request CMP to adopt post-2012 JI solutions
(22 Sep 2011) After 2012 there will be no Assigned Amount Units (AAUs) for the issuance of JI credits. As an interim solution until new emission targets enter into force the JISC proposed 1) use AAUs from the first commitment period for the issuance of JI credits for reductions under Track 2 after 2012, 2) adopt modalities to continue issuance of JI credits and deduct these from future emission targets adopted by countries.
UNFCCC organised a JI Workshop
(14 Sep 2011) The JISC organised a workshop on JI in Bonn at 12 September 2011. At the Workshop the UNFCCC and stakeholders presented their views on the future of JI. In its proposal to CMP the JISC presented JI as a "Universal offset standard for countries with emission caps" and emphasised that a lot of growth potential remains. More info and presentations: JI Workshop.
Romania suspended from trading
(29 Aug 2011) The UNFCCC announced the suspension of Romania’s participation in international carbon markets. Ukraine may face similar sanctions in October. The UNFCCC suspended these countries after concluding that they are not in compliance with the Kyoto Protocol’s reporting requirements on national emissions. The JIAG believes this is a disruptive way to ensure the environmental integrity of the Kyoto Protocol. More info: JIAG Statement.
Russia announces new JI tender
(28 Jun 2011) The Russian Sberbank announced a new tender for the sale of 70 million JI credits. Applications have to be submitted before 5 September 2011.
Medvedes calls for shift JI approvals
(27 Jun 2011) President Medvedec ordered the government to adopt a new JI resolution in two weeks. More info: Ria Novosti.
JISC25 Report published
(22 Jun 2011) The JISCintroduced electronic decision making on project reviews. The initiative is designed to shorten decision-making procedures and will take effect on 15 August 2011.The JISC is also developing an on-line interface for interaction with AIEs. Furthermore the JISC introduced various changes in the verification and review procedures. Downloads: JISC Report, JIAG submission, JIAG presentation on JI Status and Guidelines, Presentation on JI Guidelines.
Carbon Expo: Coalition of the Willing on Article 24a is growing
(3 Jun 2011) At an Event on Domestic Offsetting in the EU at Carbon Expo, Valdis Bisters (Director, Climate Policy and Technology Department, Ministry of the Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Latvia) stated that the Baltic States also support making Article 24a of the ETS Directive operational to maintain an offset mechanisms within the EU after 2012. This adds the Baltic States to the Visegrad countries (Hu, Pl, Sl, Cz) that already issued a statement in support of Article 24a.
The Council of the European Union supports Article 24a
(21 Jun 2011) Under the Hungarian presidency the Council referred to the EU ETS as a key instrument to achieve the ambitions in the EU low-carbon Roadmap. The council also "Recognises that complementary EU measures will also be needed in non-ETS sectors, and recals the possible role of Article 24a of the ETS Directive. Download: Council Conclusions.
German business supports JI
(18 May 2011) Several large German companies pubished a position paper on continued use of JI in Germany to stimulate emission reductions and energy efficiency. AGO AG,Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte, EnBW, Cofely, ECH, in an initiative from FutureCamp, published a paper in which they commit to sustained use carbon market mechanisms in Germany. Download: Discussion paper.
Carbon Expo hosts event on "Post-Kyoto JI uncertainties: How will EU ETS adapt its domestic offset policy?"
(6 Jun 2011) Carbon Expo hosted a discussion on domestic offsetting in the EU, covering both Joint Implementation ant Article 24a. The session made clear that- at this point in time- there is no clear future for offset emchanisms in the EU after 2012. This is partly due to the slow progress in the international negotiations; the other part is made up by the EU alone. The session was moderated by Benoît Leguet with contributions from Valdis Bisters, Lennard de Klerk, Kepa Solaun, Ingo Ramming and Jelmer Hoogzaad.
EBRD publishes report on “The low Carbon Transition”
(6 Apr 2011) European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the London School of Economics (LSE) have published a report on the Carbon Transition. The report points at the importance of carbon prices as a key tool to lower the carbon footprint in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The report also states that “International policy instruments can financially enhance the effectiveness of national climate-friendly policies. [..] The transition region has so far exploited only a fraction of its potential for carbon-finance transactions.” Downloads: item on the EBRD web-site, full report
Climate Focus publishes a study on “Carbon Offsetting in Europe Post 2012: Kyoto Protocol, EU ETS, and effort sharing” (6 Apr 2011) In a study commissioned by KfW on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety under the ongoing CDM/JI Initiative, Climate Focus provides an analysis of the regulatory situation post 2012 for JI and offsetting in and for the European Union. Download the report.
Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary call for non ETS offset system
(6 Apr 2011) The Visegrad countries (Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary, established in 1991) met early March to develop a joint position on a number of environmental topics, including climate change. The Visegrad countries currently have a special position in the EU since Hungary currently holds the EU chairmanship and will be succeeded by Poland in July. In their final statement the Visegrad countries emphasized that the Cancun Agreements ensure “the continuation of the Kyoto protocol and all its mechanisms, including Joint implementation”. In addition, the countries “agreed that domestic offsetting mechanisms are useful and cost-effective tools to reduce GHG emissions within the EU” and agreed to invite the EU to develop rules and procedures for an offset mechanism under article 24a of the revised EU ETS directive. Finally the countries called for “alternative and innovative options for managing the surplus of AAUs” which does not penalize countries with large surpluses while maintaining the environmental integrity of the Kyoto Protocol. Downloads: the Joint Statement and a press release from the Polish Ministry of Environment.
Roland Geres and Lennard de Klerk spoke at CMI on Domestic Offsets
(18 Feb 2011) At Carbon Market Insights, Roland Geres from FutureCamp and Lennard de Klerk from Global Carbon discussed the ETS Article 24a as a fall back option for JI and the role this artcile can play in reducing emissions within the EU. Download CMI programme.
Conference on Project Mechanisms in Europe
(21 Jan 2011) CDC Climat with Climate Focus organised a conference in Paris on policy options for project mechanisms in Europe after 2012. The conference brought together policy-makers, analysts and market participants to assess the outcome of Cancún, identify the appetite for a new project mechanism under Article 24a of the ETS directive and explore next steps. Download the background paper or read our report of the conference.
JI Decision at Climate Conference in Cancun
(22 Dec 2010) The Decision on JI was saved at the very last moment, along with the two documents that together make up the "Cancun Agreements". Bolivia opposed the agreements but was overruled by the Mexican presidency who courageously interpreted the UNFCCC rules on consensus against unanimity. Download the report on the JI negotations and the summary of the JI decision.
Climate conference in Cancun with modest results
(13 Dec 2010) Following the failure of last year’s climate conference in Copenhagen, the conference in Cancún, Mexico did conclude with an agreement. For Joint Implementation the following decisions were taken:
- JI will continue and will be part of a new agreement
- In 2011 JISC is requested to provide options for a reformed JI in such new agreement
- JI projects in Belarus can be developed and registered
- A fee will be levied on Track 1 projects to fund the activities of the JISC
The continued issuance of ERUs during a potential gap period will be considered at the next climate conference in Durban, South Africa in November 2011. Download the decisions on JI.
JIAG publishes a viewpoint on the role of JI
(8 Dec 2010) During the climate conference in Mexico Joint Implementation played an important role in the negotiations. The role that JI plays in reducing emissions in the short and medium term was elaborated by the chair of the JI Action Group in a viewpoint of the CDM&JI Monitor. Download the viewpoint or the full CDM&JI Monitor.
Press Release: Has the EU lost its way on Joint Implementation?
(2 Dec 2010). JI has proved to be a robust and credible mechanism for inspiring entrepreneurs and investors to invest in reducing emissions, with close to 400 projects initiated to date. The European Commission seems determined to undo much good that has been done and member states avoid taking concrete action in line with rhetoric. Download the Press Release.
Question and Answer paper on contiued issuance of CERs after 2012
(17 Nov 2010). In the run up to Cancun the JIAG published a paper addressing key concerns that policy-makers may have on continued issuance of ERUs after 2012. You can download the paper here.
Second JIAG Newsletter published
(1 Dec 2010) The JIAG circulated its second Newsletter with new publications on the EU position on JI after 2012 and how JI can bridge a possibile post-2012 gap. If you haven't received it, please send an e-mail to info@climatefocus.com with indication of "Subscribe JIAG" in the subject. Download: First JIAG Newsletter. Second JIAG Newsletter.