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The technical document presents the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) as a key instrument for limiting greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable development. It takes the reader through basic concepts and the processes of developing baseline and baseline methodology. Additionally, it presents indicative methodologies for small scale CDM projects and examples of approved methodologies for project specific baselines.

This technical document addresses the barriers to CDM implementation by providing information aimed at both developing country financial institutions and at CDM project proponents. It should be noted that while the guidebook was developed particularly with the CDM in mind, most sections will also be relevant for Joint Implementation (JI) project activities.

This  technical document consists of the second edition of the PDD guidebook. It includes a revised version of the pitfalls during the validation process of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects and presents a new section dedicated to the pitfalls faced during the verification process. Also available in Portuguese.

This technical document addresses a wide range of legal and regulatory issues arising from the domestic laws, regulations and policies of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Host Countries that can affect the development and implementation of CDM projects. The Guidebook illustrates some Host Country laws that specifically address the CDM, as well as how general domestic legal regimes may impact or inhibit CDM project implementation, such as: property rights; environmental and planning laws; investment and taxation laws; and financial services regulations.

This technical document sheds light on the basic aspects of designing, developing and implementing GHG emissions reductions under the concept of Programme of Activities (PoAs). The publication clarifies some common misconceptions about CDM Programs (PoAs) and includes recommendations for the identification of stakeholders and contracting. Its principal goal is to enrich the reader’s understanding of what it takes to deliver certified emission reductions from PoAs.

This document addresses the importance of investment in the climate change sector and looks at the UNEP strategy in engaging the finance sector with climate change. For many applications, solar water heaters, solar photovoltaic systems, small hydro and various energy efficiency options are mature, cost-effective technologies with decreasing costs and substantial environmental and economic benefits. However, even in places with ample local renewable energy resources, markets for these technologies are still slow to develop – even with record oil prices and high costs of conventional energy.

This analytical report draws from a recent series of UN-sponsored workshops and UNEP’s own experience in supporting outreach activities. The handbook gathers together a range of practical experiences and common sense lessons in the field of awareness-raising from Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean.

This video presents the relationship between temperature rise and increase of diseases among children.

This analytical report is the first comprehensive report on the emergence of a “green economy” and its impact on the world of work in the 21st Century. It assembles evidence, quantitative and conceptual, for currently existing green jobs in sectors such as renewable energy, energy efficiency in buildings and vehicles, sustainable transportation, and organic agriculture.

This technical document describes and evaluates the project Assessments of Impacts and Adaptation to Climate Change in Multiple Regions and Sectors (AIACC) implemented over the period 2001-2007. The project had three objectives: enhance scientific capacity in developing countries to assess climate change impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation; advance scientific understanding of these issues; and improve links between climate change science and policy communities to enable adaptation planning and action.

This analytical report discusses the environmental measures taken by the organizers of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and assesses their effectiveness and lessons learnt, all of which will be useful for those planning future Olympic and other sporting events.

This policy document outlines the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s Climate Change strategy for the UNEP Programme of Work 2010-2011. The strategy is built on the analysis of UNEP’s political mandate, and the existing portfolio of climate change activities.

This policy document presents the second part of a two-phase study on the financial services sector and climate change commissioned by the UNEP FI Climate Change Working Group. In particular, the report discusses the underlying reasons why climate change is relevant to the financial services industry and the need for long-term, ‘beyond-Kyoto’market-based frameworks for fostering finance sector participation.  Part 2 examines in detail the possible future role of the finance sector in dealing with climate change.

This policy document summarises a United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) survey among financiers on lending activities and policy issues aimed at providing an evidence base on current lending activities in the energy efficiency space, as well as, views on this issue. The survey explored: whether and how external drivers to reduce energy use on the supply and demand side are impacting lending activities, both in terms of client demand, due diligence procedures, and new product development; specific financing issues for energy efficiency; the role of government regulation in developing this market; other issues relevant to the evolution of energy efficiency financing and investment.

This policy document presents the business case for financing renewable energy. It shows concrete examples and makes strong policy recommendations for further action. The briefing builds on the UNEP FI Climate Change Working Group’s study on climate change.

This policy document claims that, looking at future policy, financial institutions around the world are in need of a clear and long-term policy framework. The focus of this paper is on mitigation policies. The publication contains recommendations from the UNEP FI Climate Change Working Group to policy-makers.

This policy document presents the first part of a two-phase study on the financial services sector and climate change commissioned by the UNEP FI Climate Change Working Group. In particular, the report discusses the underlying reasons why climate change is relevant to the financial services industry and the need for long-term, ‘beyond-Kyoto’market-based frameworks for fostering finance sector participation. Part 1 presents an overview of the specific threats and opportunities facing the financial services industry and makes a series of strategic recommendations to policymakers and financial institutions for early action on the issue.

This policy document summarises the main findings of a major two-phase study on the financial services sector and climate change for corporate decision-makers at executive board level and for key government policy-makers. Also available in German.

This analytical report has been prepared by UNEP’s Sustainable Buildings and Construction Initiative (SBCI). It proposes changes to the CDM to encourage the development of more energy efficiency projects in buildings.

This policy document presents a “Global Green New Deal” (GGND) to create a post-recession economy that is sustainable in the medium to longer term. GGND has three broad objectives. In the short term, it should make a major contribution to reviving the world economy, saving and creating jobs, and protecting vulnerable groups. In the medium term, it should promote sustainable and inclusive growth and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Also in the medium term, it must reduce carbon dependency and ecosystem degradation.