Clean Development Mechanism Projects In China Research Articles

The clean development mechanism and corporate financial performance: Empirical evidence from China

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is one of the “flexibility mechanisms” defined in the Kyoto Protocol to deal with global climate change. This paper uses the event study methodology to determine the relationship between corporate CDM adoption and financial performance. We conjecture that implementing CDM projects is beneficial for non-core business returns but not corporate profitability because firms often have an ulterior motive in obtaining direct economic revenue from CDM projects without expending due effort on environmental protection and efficiency improvement. We extract a list of companies with operational CDM projects in China and identify them as the sample group. Using the propensity score methodology, we establish a control group based on estimations using a probit regression model that verifies the factors determining industrial companies’ participation in CDM projects. The control group comprises non-adopters of CDM projects that have a similar propensity score to CDM adopters based on their corporate financial indicators. The results from Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and one-sample binomial tests show that the major positive financial effect of CDM adoption is obtained from the growth of non-core business revenue. The profitability of the adopters is not significantly changed after the CDM adoption. There are no remarkable changes in sales growth after CDM certification.

Analysis on the carbon trading approach in promoting sustainable buildings in China

With the high growth urbanization and increasing new urban population, the huge demand for infrastructures and dwellings has become a great challenge for the sustainable development in Chinese cities. The building sector shares one fourth of total energy consumption in the country and plays an important role in reducing the energy consumption and the consequential green house gas (GHG) emissions. Some policies have been issued for promoting the low carbon sustainable development in China's buildings. However, existing barriers especially the investment barriers substantially prevent the low carbon technologies and service from being employed effectively. The carbon trading scheme of cap-and-trade is now widely accepted as one cost-effective way to deal with the climate change issue in the world, and it can be utilized for overcoming the barriers to carbon reduction activities in China's building sector. A new Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) energy performance based method is designed for reducing transaction costs in implementing CDM projects in China's buildings before 2020. And then a “step by step” approach is formed to establish the domestic and international carbon trading mechanism to effectively reduce GHG missions in China's building sector after 2020.

Costs of certified emission reductions under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol

This paper examines the cost structure of certified emission reductions (CERs) through various types of projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol. Using the CDM project data, the costs of CERs and their variation across technology and over time and space are estimated by applying alternative functional forms and specifications. Results show that the average cost of CERs decreases with the project scale and duration, scale and duration effects significantly vary across project types, and there is an upward trend in costs. The results also show that the distribution of the projects in the CDM portfolio or a given location does not strictly follow the relative cost structure, nor does the distribution of the CDM projects in different host countries follow the principle of comparative advantage. More than 84% of the CDM portfolio consists of various energy projects with substantially higher costs of CERs than afforestation and reforestation, industrial and landfill gas reduction, and methane avoidance projects, which are only 12% of all projects. While per unit cost of abatement plays an important role in the bottom-up and top-down models to evaluate emission reduction potential and analyze policy alternatives, the findings contradict the presumption of such models that project investors seek out low-cost opportunities. At the aggregate level, the cost of CER by the projects in Asia and Europe is similar but higher than those hosted in Africa, Americas, and Oceania. Yet more than 83% of the projects in the CDM portfolio are located in Asia; more than 69% of the projects are in China and India alone. China appears to have a comparative advantage (i.e., lowest opportunity cost) in energy efficiency projects, while India has a comparative advantage in hydro power projects and Brazil has a comparative advantage in wind power projects. In contrast, energy efficiency category accounts for only 8% of the CDM projects in China, hydro power accounts for 12% of the projects in India, and wind power accounts for 18% of the projects in Brazil. The results provide a basis for evaluating the incentives that the mechanism offers as a cost effective policy instrument that balances greenhouse gas mitigation across sectors and regions, while fulfilling the objective of the convention.

Determinants of technology transfer through the CDM: a within-country analysis for China

Technology transfer (TT) is not mandatory for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects, yet proponents of CDM argue that TT in CDM can bring new technologies to developing countries and thus not only reduce emissions but also foster development. We review the quantitative literature on determinants of TT in CDM and estimate determinants for CDM projects in China. China is by far the largest host country of CDM projects and it is therefore crucial to understand the factors that drive TT there. To gain better interpretation, we focus on heterogeneity within a single country and results can thus be linked to specific policies of the country. Our probit estimations confirm previous international cross-country studies, indicating that larger projects and more advanced technologies are more likely to involve TT. In addition, we find evidence that agglomeration effects are more pronounced at the province level rather than larger regions. We also find a positive effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) on TT, and academic research and development (R&D) is complementary to TT.Policy relevanceTechnology transfer (TT) is a goal of Chinese CDM legislation, but it is not a prerequisite for project approval. Our estimations show the project specific, technological and region-specific features that encourage more TT among CDM projects. Some variables analysed such as R&D spending and FDI (both are found to have positive effects on TT) can be, to some extent, influenced by the policy-makers. Moreover, we find some evidence for the presence of negative agglomeration effects on the provincial level: the likelihood of TT is decreasing in the number of previous projects operating in the same technology and province. This finding needs to be interpreted with great caution. It may suggest the existence of a learning externality, which could serve as a justification for policy intervention. Any policy intervention requires however careful analysis of potential positive or negative externalities resulting from the agglomeration of CDM projects and a comparison of possible benefits with the costs of TT.

Clean Development Mechanism and Carbon Trading Market Construction in China

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is one of the three “flexibility” mechanisms defined in the Kyoto Protocol. Chinese government implements the CDM projects as the only way and most important means to participate in the global carbon trading market, and provides a lot of policy support; however, there are still many problems and risks during the operation of CDM projects in China: the lack of legal system, Carbon leakage, the insufficient transfer of technology and the passive market position of Chinese enterprises. Starting from the strict GHG reduction target and pilot projects of carbon trading in China, this paper constructs domestic carbon trading market on the basis of experiences and lessons of CDM projects in China; then it puts forward the basic thinking of legal system, market management and supervision system in the process of China’s carbon trading market establishment.

Technology transfer in the clean development mechanism: Insights from wind power

International technology transfer is a key element in efforts to ensure low carbon growth in developing countries. A growing body of literature has sought to assess the extent of technology transfer in the clean development mechanism (CDM). In this paper we use the case of wind power CDM to expand the focus to how technology transfer occurs. We seek insights from the technology and CDM literatures to develop a framework with multiple technology transfer mechanisms. We then show empirically that technology transfer in CDM wind projects occurs through a greater variety of mechanism than is commonly assumed. The evidence suggests that the strengthening of host country capabilities changes the nature of technology transfer. The cases of China and India indicate that diversity in transfer mechanisms is an effect of the pre-existing industrial and technological capabilities. We show that CDM projects in China and India tend to utilise transfer mechanisms opened up prior to and independent of CDM projects, not the other way around. Our findings suggest that research and policy should pay more careful attention to the relationship between international low carbon technology transfer mechanisms and local technological capabilities.

The Development of Projects under the Clean Development Mechanism in China

Since 2005 when Carbon Fund was formally introduced to China, the development of projects under the clean development mechanism(CDM) has experienced enormous growth,contributing to the sustainable development of industry.While there are at least two general barriers to get a balanced development of CDM projects in China—namely the limitation of implementation of CDM projects both in sector and scale spheres and problems faced by enterprises in development of CDM project —for assessment of the applicability of project methodology，this article compares the national Chinese registered projects and corresponding methodologies in the world.In the end,My analysis argues the underlying reasons and proposes several schemes to solve the problems.

Waste energy recovery CDM projects in China: status, challenges and suggestions

The recovery potential for waste energy from major Chinese industries is significant. For example, the estimated waste energy recovery potential is 40 million tons of coal equivalent in the iron and steel industry, accounting for ∼10% of the total energy use in the industry. A detailed overview is presented of existing waste energy recovery Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in China. These projects have been developed predominantly in large enterprises and rarely in small or medium-sized companies. The chance of waste energy projects being reviewed or rejected by the Executive Board is slightly higher and delivery rates of certified emission reductions are generally lower than other types of CDM projects. Several major barriers that inhibit project development are identified, such as the lack of CDM awareness or development capacity among many small or medium enterprises, low internal rates of return of the projects, increasing review risk and long delays in the registration process, the varying quality of intermediary buyers, a lack of local Chinese Designated Operational Entities, and policy implementation inconsistency at different levels. Suggestions are put forward to address these problems and such critical issues as additionality are also discussed.

The role of offsets in a post-Kyoto climate agreement: The power sector in China

This paper considers how an offset scheme specific to the electricity generation sector could incentivize emissions cuts while avoiding the problems encountered by the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). It proposes an approach to project evaluation based on measures of additionality, economic viability and contribution to sustainable development specific to this sector and re-evaluates 460 registered CDM projects in China that generate electricity using wind, natural gas or small hydro. It concludes that many small hydro schemes would be viable without the CDM subsidy. Although these projects have zero emissions from operations, offsets issued to projects that are viable without subsidy permit increased emissions in developed countries and lead to a net increase in global emissions. To provide some indication of the sustainable development benefits that CDM projects bring to their host countries, the paper includes estimates of the projects’ benefit to public health due to the reduced use of coal for generation. The paper provides insights into the economics of projects and their value to host countries that are missed by the official CDM methodologies. It contributes to the debate over the design of sector-specific offset schemes that may be part of a new global agreement on combating climate change.

The domestic side of the clean development mechanism: the case of China

The clean development mechanism (CDM) has been widely considered a win–win scenario from which both developed and developing countries could benefit. However, in spite of its growing popularity and the increasing number of issued certified emission reductions, CDM has not been effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping developing countries to achieve sustainable development. By considering the case of China, it appears that, although there are fundamental weaknesses in the institutional design of CDM, it is the host country's domestic conditions that have the biggest impact on CDM's effectiveness. The Chinese government has implemented its own rules and regulations, and addressed the problems in CDM processes in ways that maximise its national interest, whilst preventing non-governmental actors from participating in the policy process. The combination of governmental intervention and weak non-governmental participation has shaped the outcomes of CDM projects in China. The balance between these two domestic factors may be critical in influencing the effectiveness of CDM governance.

Toward an effective implementation of clean development mechanism projects in China

With the already huge and growing amount of greenhouse gas emissions and a great deal of low-cost abatement options available, China is widely expected as the world's number one host country of clean development mechanism (CDM) projects. But, making this potential a reality represents a significant challenge for China, because there has been a general lack of awareness by both the Chinese government and business communities, clear institutional structure, and implementation strategy. This has raised great concern about China's ability to compete internationally for CDM projects and exploit fully its CDM potential. This paper aims to address how CDM projects will be effectively implemented in China by examining the major CDM capacity building projects in China with bilateral and multilateral donors, the treatment of low-cost, non-priority CDM projects, and how a system for application, approval, and implementation of CDM projects is set up in China and what roles the main institutional actors are going to play in the system. We conclude that these capacity building assistances, the establishment of streamlined and transparent CDM procedures and sound governance, and the lessons learned and experience gained from the implementation of the CDM project in Inner Mongolia and the two Prototype Carbon Fund’ projects will help China to take advantage of CDM opportunities. Moreover, in order to further capitalize on its CDM potential, there is a pressing need for the Chinese government to amend its current interim CDM regulations, in particular those controversial provisions on the eligibility to participate in CDM projects in China and the distribution of the revenues derived from CDM project between the project developer and the Chinese government. We believe that taking these capacity building projects and the recommended actions to clearly define the sustainable development objective of the CDM and disseminate CDM knowledge to local authorities and project developers as sectorally and geographically wide as possible, addressing those controversial CDM provisions with clearer guidance, and gaining experience from real practice will reduce the perceived project risks and lower the barriers to CDM project development in China. This is, in turn, likely to lead a much greater percentage of carbon credits to come from CDM projects in China over the next several years.

CDM potential in the power-generation and energy-intensive industries of China

China is one of the most promising countries for CDM (clean development mechanism) projects. Whilst this is true in terms of physical potential, of greater significance is the economic potential of CDM projects. In this article, I develop methodologies for estimating both the physical and economic potential of CDM activities in China and apply them to power generation and other energy-intensive sectors. This study adopts a thorough application of a bottom-up approach based on actual data collected from Tsinghua University and several power plants in China, and data from feasibility studies of Japanese companies sponsored by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, Japan). The article also provides useful tools for estimating CDM economic potentials by sectors/technologies, which are applicable not only at the current CER (certified emission reduction) price, but also for any other possible CER prices. Section 2 illustrates a methodology for exploring physical reduction potentials and applies this methodology to different energy-intensive sectors. The results show a physical (annual) reduction potential of 127 Mt-CO 2 in total. Section 3 presents a methodology for calculating the CO 2 abatement cost. Section 4 calculates transaction cost, yielding an estimate of approximately $350,000 per project. Section 5 examines the economic potential of CDM projects in China, taking into account current CER market price. The economic (annual) reduction potentials obtained are 15 Mt-CO 2 (far smaller than the physical potential). Section 6 explores other promising areas for CDM. The economic potential of CDM in China is shown to increase when CDM activities in ‘greenfield’ and landfill gas recovery are taken into account. Finally, I present various policy recommendations.

Technology choice and CDM projects in China: case study of a small steel company in Shandong Province

Corporate motives and strategies of both investing and hosting country affect the outcomes of a clean development mechanism (CDM) project— who introduces what technology to whom—and result in large differences in economic viability and the CO 2 emission reductions. This is particularly true for steel industry in which steel making consists of many detailed and complex processes, a given strategy could produce cumulative effects of the individual technologies used, leading to large energy savings overall. The objective of this study is to demonstrate some analytical methods that can be used to quantitatively evaluate the impacts of technology selection on the profit performance of CDM projects. Specifically, in this study we analyze a CDM project to introduce energy saving technology from Japan to a small steel manufacturer in China's Shandong Province, and conduct a simulation of the quantitative relationships between various technology options and profitability. Based on these results, we examine the environmental and economic significance of technology selection for CDM projects. To take this further, we then reconsider the profitability of a project as typical FDI activity (i.e., without the CDM), and by comparing this outcome with the CDM case, we clarify the significance and potential of the CDM.

Towards an Effective Implementation of CDM Projects in China

With the already huge and growing amount of greenhouse gas emissions and a great deal of low-cost abatement options available, China is widely expected as the world's number one host country of clean development mechanism (CDM) projects. But, making this potential a reality represents a significant challenge for China, because there has been a general lack of awareness by both the Chinese government and business communities, clear institutional structure, and implementation strategy. This has raised great concern about China's ability to compete internationally for CDM projects and exploit fully its CDM potential. This paper aims to address how CDM projects will be effectively implemented in China by examining the major CDM capacity building projects in China with bilateral and multilateral donors, the treatment of low-cost, non-priority CDM projects, and how a system for application, approval and implementation of CDM projects is set up in China and what roles the main institutional actors are going to play in the system. We conclude that these capacity building assistances, the establishment of streamlined and transparent CDM procedures and sound governance, and the lessons learned and experience gained from the implementation of the CDM project in Inner Mongolia and the two Prototype Carbon Fund (PCF)' projects will help China to take advantage of CDM opportunities. Moreover, in order to further capitalize on its CDM potential, there is a pressing need for the Chinese government to amend its current interim CDM regulations, in particular those controversial provisions on the eligibility to participate in CDM projects in China and the distribution of the revenues derived from CDM project between the project developer and the Chinese government. We believe that taking these ongoing capacity building projects and the recommended actions to clearly define the sustainable development objective of the CDM and disseminate CDM knowledge to local authorities and project developers as sectorally and geographically wide as possible, addressing those controversial CDM provisions with clearer guidance, and gaining experience from real practice will reduce the perceived project risks and lower the barriers to CDM project development in China. This is, in turn, likely to lead a much greater percentage of carbon credits to come from CDM projects in China over the next several years.