Durban: the outcome
(23 Dec 2011) The Durban Agreement is a positive signal to investors in JI projects. Clearly, both the actual targets and the mechanics of the new JI remain to be formulated and adopted; yet, there is at last some hope that the overall agreement to continue within the Kyoto Protocol will trigger palpable results in the near future.
For Russia, by many accounts the biggest JI market, the post 2012 countdown has started running: Will they join their Western partners and participate in ‘Kyoto II’ or will they step aside and take once more a long break from international climate policy? 2012 will be an interesting year. Download the Outcome.
JIAG Statement for Durban
(06 Dec 2011) JI has proved to be a robust and credible mechanism for inspiring entrepreneurs and investors to invest in reducing emissions, with 335 JI projects registered to date. As a gap period is likely to occur after 31 December 2012, the JI Supervisory Committee has proposed a temporary measure to continue JI during this gap period. JIAG applauds the courage and foresight of this proposal. Download statement.
New Study on domestic offsetting considers Article 24a
Adding to the growing discussion on the merits of a European domestic offset mechanism under Article 24s of the revised EU ETS Directive, a new study provides a comprehensive compendium of knowledge about this controversially discussed market-based instrument, including a detailed discussion of pros & cons, its interaction with other pollution-control instruments as well as an economic comparison of DOPs with other options to achieve certain GHG abatements. Download the Study.
Are ERUs flooding the market??
(26 Oct 2011) No, they are not. Despite announcements of a new JI tender in Russia, the supply of ERUs remains marginal compared to what the CDM is delivering. Still, in terms of mitigation impact on a national level, some JI countries rank among the most effective CDM countries. Download: Press Release.
JI Action Group publishes Position paper on JI negotiations in Durban
(17 Oct 2011) At the international climate negotiations in Durban from 28 November – 9 December 2011, the future of JI will be discussed based on several proposals from the JI Supervisory Committee (JISC). The JI Action Group analysed the proposals from the JISC and drafted a Position Paper for the negotiators in Durban. The Paper discusses the most important issues for JI. Download the Position Paper.
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.
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
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.
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.
Position paper JIAG for CMP-6 in Cancun
(26 Nov 2010) At the upcoming international climate conference in Cancun, negotiators will discuss the JISC report which includes measures to bridge the gap between the end of Kyoto Protocol and a new agreement coming into force. Download the JIAG paper.
Question and Answer paper on continued issuance of ERUs 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. Download the paper.
Article in Point Carbon Magazine: Joint implementation: Bridging the Gap
(November 2010). In the November issue of Point Carbon Lennard de Klerk, chair of the JIAG, provides perspectives on prolonging carbon trade in Ukraine and Russia after 2012. Download the article.
JIAG publishes an article on a JI bilateral agreement EU – Ukraine
(27 October 2010) The Joint Implementation Action Group (JIAG) published an article in the JI Quarterly on the desirability of a bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the European Union. This bilateral agreement can facilitate the investments in energy efficiency through the existing JI mechanism. As the negotiations on a new Kyoto agreement are stalled, this bilateral agreement can bridge the period between the end of the Kyoto Protocol in December 2012 and a future agreement entering into force. Download the article.
JI: Legal Issues in a post-2012 period
(October 2010) This legal opinion gives an overview of legal
issues arising for the continuation of JI after 2012 and
provides possible legal interpretations to these, assuming
the existence of a gap-period between the first and a
second commitment period under the Protocol. It concludes that
continued issuance and transfer of ERUs even for reductions achieved after 2012 is possible. Download Legal Opinion.
Legal Brief on JI Projects from Kazakhstan and Belarus
(June 2010) This Brief explains that JI projects from Belarus and Kazakhstan, both Annex I parties to the Kyoto Protocol (KP), can enter the determination and verification procedure under Track 2 of Joint
Implementation (JI) The transfer of ERUs can only take place once the countries have an emission reduction comittment specified in Annex B of the Kyoto Protocol.Download Legal Brief.
Position Paper on the Future of JI
(June 2010)
Aligning Track 1 and Track 2, Issuance of ERUs, Domestic and Unilateral JI, Governance of JI, Establishment of Multisectoral Baselines, Accreditation Procedures, Crediting Periods beyond 2012, Providing certainty beyond 2012.
Download Position Paper.
Background Paper on Article 24a ETS
(February 2010) Climate Focus, Caisse des Dépôts and the Belgian Ministry of Health Food Chain Safety and Environment jointly organised a Roundtable on Domestic Offsets under Article 24 (a). This Background Paper sets the scene, introduces the scope of the provision, and offers a point of departure for the discussions. Download the Background Paper.
JIAG 2009 Report and Strategy for 2010
(February 2010) This report looks back on the activities of the Joint Implementation Action Group (JIAG) in 2009 and presents the Group’s strategy for 2010. Annual report.
JIAG 2009 Report and Strategy for 2010
(February 2010) This report looks back on the activities of the Joint Implementation Action Group (JIAG) in 2009 and presents the Group’s strategy for 2010. Annual report.
Interview with JIAG chair Lennard de Klerk on CCTV
(December 2009) In Copenhagen at the Conference of Parties Lennard the Klerk was interviewed by Climate Change TV. See interview.
Article in Trading Carbon Magazine: Redefining JI
(December 2009) The December edition of Trading Carbon contains an article on JI in which Jelmer Hoogzaad and Moritz von Unger examine the role for carbon offsets under joint implementation in the post-2012 capped environment.
JI Chapter in book on 'Legal Aspects of Carbon Trading'
(October 2009) Chapter 8 of the new edition of 'Legal Aspects of Carbon Trading' is called 'A mechanism with a bright future: Joint Implementation'. It describes the current state of play for JI, explaining the procedural requirements for a successful participation in JI, providing insights in Track 1 JI, describing the post-2012 future of JI, elaborating upon options for JI reform as well as proposals to introduce new elements to expand the mechanisms’ sectoral coverage. Download flyer here.
Replies to JISC Call for Input on PoA and the DVM
(October 2009) The JIAG responded to the JISC Call for Input on the draft Guidelines for JI Programme of Activities and on the draft Determination and Verification Manual. The submissions can be found on the UNFCCC web-site: JIAG response to DVM, JIAG response for PoA Guidelines.
Joint Implementation Post 2012 -Opportunities and Role of Domestic JI under the Kyoto Protocol
(October 2009) Climate Focus was mandated with preparing a report on unilateral JI. The report provides on overview of domestic JI activities together with an analysis of its legal basis in the Kyto Protocol. The report found that bilateral approval prior to ERU generation, though a requirement under the Marrakesh Accords for Track 2 JI, is not required by the Kyoto Protocol. Under the primary rules, bilateral approval is needed for cross-border transfer of ERUs only. The report makes a case for unilateral JI and suggests proposals for regulatory changes at JISC, COP/MOP and Kyoto Protocol level. Download here
Caisse des Dépôts publishes article on 'The role of projects in the future international climate agreement
(October 2009) Caisse des Dépôts in its quarterly magazine 'ClimateSphere' published an article on the role of CDM and JI after 2012, pointing at lessons drawn from the past. Download here
JIAG presents recommendations on JI
(September 2009) At the JI Workshop in Kiev the JIAG published its positions on the two-track structure of JI, additionality, governance and the role of the JISC and ERU conversion and transfer. The recommendations are summarised in a new position paper. Download here
JIAG CMI Side Event Report
(April 2009) The JIAG held a side event at
Carbon Market Insights ,
Point Carbon's annual gathering of the carbon market in Copenhagen.
This report lists the key positions presented on post 2012 JI and
outlines the various suggestions from the audience. Download here.
JI strategies for a post-2012 World - Position paper for the 14th COP/MOP in Poznan (November 2008) Joint Implementation deserves
significantly more emphasis than it currently receivesin
international negotiations on mechanisms for tackling climate
change. The purpose of this paper is to help policy-makers at the
14th Conference of Parties/Meeting of the Parties (COP/MOP) in
Poznan understand the importance of JI and advice on practical
solutions for best structuring the JI mechanism in the post-2012
period. Download here.
Legal Paper - Reform and Expansion of JI: Proposal for
Reform
(July 2008) This paper presents a number of reform proposals for the
Joint Implementation mechanism on graduation of projects from CDM to
JI, JI governance, baseline setting and additionality and
contribution to sustainable development. The proposals are presented
together with suggested wording for their implementation in the
post-2012 legal framework. Download here.
JIAG response to the Call for Public Inputs on Determination and
Verification Manual
(January 2009) The JIAG welcomes the initiative to harmonise
determination and verification procedures among Independent Entities
(IEs) to facilitate the development of an industry standard.
However, the JIAG has strong doubts whether such guidance should be
a binding set of provisions and requirements under the JISC.
Download here.
JI Accreditation Process for Determinators
(November 2008) Delays in accreditation of IEs affects the ability
of JI track II to deliver the intended volumes of emission
reductions and project finance. The purpose of this paper is to
raise these issues to the JI Accreditation Panel, the JISC and the
COP/MOP and propose concrete actions to improve IE accreditation.
Download here.