6 November 2014: The UNFCCC Secretariat has published the annual report of the Executive Board of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP), which covers the Board’s work from 5 October 2013 to 30 September 2014 (FCCC/KP/CMP/2014/5).

The report describes the status of the CDM, outlining that by the end of the reporting period, 30 September 2014, a total of 7,828 projects (266 programmes of activities (PoAs) and 7,562 project activities) had been registered in 108 countries and approximately 1,066 further projects (114 PoAs and 952 project activities) are undergoing validation. It further outlines that by the end of the reporting period, 1.493 billion certified emission reductions (CERs) had been issued from 2,666 projects and PoAs (34% registered projects). The report highlights a significant decline in both the number of new projects being registered and in the number of projects issuing CERs, and provides some of the reasons for this decline, such as the economic recession and the level of the Kyoto Protocol second commitment period ambition.

The report contains a detailed summary of the work undertaken by the CDM in the reporting period, including the CDM’s achievements and challenges it faced in its operation. In addition, it highlights opportunities for the CDM beyond its use under the Kyoto Protocol.

The report also includes a number of recommendations for action by the CMP at its 10th session taking place in Lima, Peru, in December 2014. In exercising its authority over the CDM, the CMP will, at its 10th session, review this report, provide guidance and take decisions, as appropriate. [Publication: CDM Executive Board Annual Report to the CMP]