The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a mechanism established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to help developing countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to assist developed countries in meeting their emission reduction targets.
The CDM allows developing countries to undertake emissions-reducing projects and to earn certified emission reduction (CER) credits, which can be traded on the carbon market. These CERs can be used by developed countries to offset their own emissions and to meet their emission reduction targets under the UNFCCC.
The CDM aims to promote sustainable development and to assist developing countries in adopting clean technologies. It is intended to provide a way for developed countries to support the emission reduction efforts of developing countries and to encourage the transfer of clean technologies to these countries.
There are many types of projects that can be undertaken under the CDM, including renewable energy projects, energy efficiency projects, and projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial processes.
The CDM has faced criticism for a number of reasons, including the lack of transparency in the project approval process and the failure of some projects to deliver the expected emission reductions. Despite these challenges, the CDM remains an important mechanism for addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development.