Energy Working Group talk: The Controversy over Chinese Wind in the Clean Development Mechanism: Implications for Strengthening Global Carbon Offset Policy   

Research in Progress Seminar

DATE AND TIME
January 20, 2010
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

AVAILABILITY
By Invitation Only

SPEAKERS
Gang He - Stanford University
Richard K. Morse - Stanford University

Gang He and Richard Morse examine one of the biggest controversies in the global carbon market - the additionality of Chinese wind power in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).   Addressing and moving beyond the binary question of whether such projects do or do not represent "real" CO2 reductions, they use insights drawn from detailed analysis of the entire Chinese wind CDM portfolio to argue that the current legal and economic structure of additionality is unworkable in the Chinese power sector when one takes into account how regulation and policy in those markets actually function. 

Therefore under the current CDM additionality regime, additionality cannot be credibly verified for Chinese wind - a problem that extends to multiple types of energy projects in numerous developing countries.  In short, the controversy over Chinese wind illustrates the need for large-scale reforms of how the world validates carbon credits in developing world power sectors.  In a post-Kyoto world that envisions a greatly expanded role for international carbon offsets, ensuring the integrity of carbon markets through smarter policy engagement with countries like China is more important than ever.

Topics: Energy | China

LOCATION
Richard and Rhoda Goldman Conference Room
Encina Hall E409 (fourth floor)
616 Serra St.
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305
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