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Linking Directive

German Utility RWE Meets Climate Targets by Supporting Forced Evictions in China

Report shows Germany failing to enforce EU law on hydro carbon credits

A report released today reveals that German power utility, RWE, plans to buy carbon credits from a dam in China that fails to meet World Commission on Dams (WCD) guidelines, a breach of EU law. RWE, one of the biggest CO2 emitters in Europe, is buying the credits to avoid having to reduce emissions from its coal plants in Germany.

Xiaoxi and Xiaogushan CDM Hydropower Projects: Report from a Field Trip

EU legislation known as the Linking Directive states that CDM credits from hydropower projects larger than 20MW can only be used in the European Emissions Trading System (ETS) if the projects comply with the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams (WCD).

International Rivers' Comments on Draft EU Rules for Assessing WCD Compliance

Large hydro projects (>20 MW) that generate Clean Development Mechanism credits that are used in the European Emissions Trading System (ETS), need to comply with the World Commission on Dams' recommendations, according to the EU's Linking Directive. The European Commission is currently drafting guidelines for EU member states on how to assess WCD compliance.

Critique of the WCD Compliance Report for Xiaoxi Large Hydro Dam, China

By Ann-Kathrin Schneider

The following assessment by International Rivers compares the compliance report for the 135 MW Xiaoxi Dam to the Strategic Priorities of the World Commission on Dams, and the requirements of the German Emissions Trading Authority. The report is of very low quality and does not provide a basis for the German government to accept the project as WCD compatible.

Climate Action Network Submission on Developed Country Emission Reductions

A series of discussions are under way among the governments that ratified the Kyoto Protocol on what commitments developed countries (Annex I Parties, in the Protocol's jargon) should take on after the first phase of the Protocol expires in 2012. They are also discussing means to meet these commitments, including potentially redesigning the Clean Development Mechanism.

UK Government Checklist on WCD Compliance

The UK's Department of Environment (DEFRA) has prepared a checklist which can be used to assess whether a large hydro project complies with the World Commission on Dams criteria. The checklist is Annex C in DEFRA's "guidance on approval and authorisation to participate in Clean Development Mechanism project activities" which can be downloaded below.

Letter to Buyers of CDM Credits from Chinese Hydros

(A similar letter has been sent to the following buyers of carbon credits from Chinese hydros: ENEL, EDF Trading Limited, ICECAP, CAMS AB Sweden, RWE Power AG, MGM Carbon Portfolio, Kommunalkredit, EcoSecurities, Energy Systems International, Eco Energia, Endesa Generacion SA, CDCF, Factor Consulting, IXIS, Int System Energy Corporation, Arreon Carbon, Sindicatum Carbon Capital International, KfW, Ecoinvest, ICF, ESI BV, WBCF, CCAN)

German Government Guidelines on WCD Compliance

The German Environment Ministry in October 2007 issued a "Guideline for Determination of Compliance with the Recommendations of the World Commission on Dams Regarding Hydroelectric Power Projects with a Capacity over 20MW, within the Context of Joint Implementation (JI) and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Projects."

Letter to Carbon Investors on Voluntary Offset Standards

Similar letters to the below were also sent to ECIS (now known as INCIS) members Barclays, Citibank, Fortis, MorganStanley, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Dresdner Kleinworth and Climate Change Capital.

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The EU Linking Directive

In November 2004, the European Union adopted legislation regulating the admission of CDM credits (CERs) into the EU’s greenhouse gas Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The legislation, known as the Linking Directive, states that CERs from large hydro projects can only be used in the ETS if the projects meet the standards of the World Commission on Dams (WCD).