City-Wide Programmes of Activities - An Option for Significant Emission Reductions in Cities?

The Wuppertal Institute has published a new paper in the JIKO policy paper-series. The current publication analyses whether city-wide approaches to carbon finance under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) are a viable option for significant emission reductions in cities. For this purpose, the paper provides an overview of emission sources and possible mitigation activities in cities, discusses the current role of developing country cities in the CDM and identifies the main barriers that hinder the engagement of cities in the carbon market. The authors then analyse the CDM methodologies suitable for urban projects and review a proposal on a city-wide CDM PoA. The paper concludes with a discussion of alternative approaches to tap mitigation options in cities.

The JIKO Policy Paper 4/2012 is available for download.