Development of a Framework for Assessing Sustainability Benefits of Landfill Gas Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Projects

Abstract

The twin objectives of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) are to assist developing country host nations in achieving sustainable development, and to assist developed countries in meeting their greenhouse gases (GHG) emission reduction targets. This is achieved through implementing GHG abatement projects in developing countries. There has been increased attention in the contribution of CDM projects to sustainable development in host nations. Previous research has suggested that, when left to market forces, the CDM does not contribute effectively to sustainable development. One likely reason is that host nations define and evaluate projects contribution to sustainable development. This has led to a “race to bottom” with regard to setting sustainability standards triggered by a concern that project developers prioritise CDM investments in countries with lower sustainability standards. Researchers have identified the need for an international standard for assessing sustainable development benefits of CDM projects. The main aim of this research was to develop an international level framework for assessing sustainable development benefits of CDM projects with a specific focus on landfill gas (LFG) projects.
An in-depth literature review was carried out to establish the link between sustainable development benefits of CDM projects in general, and LFG CDM projects in particular. A case study methodology was used to develop an understanding of landfill management practices at three existing landfill sites both in developed (n=1) and developing countries (n=2). The results from the literature review and case studies were utilized to develop the framework for assessing sustainable development benefits of LFG CDM projects. The developed framework comprises three sustainable development dimensions and 12 criteria with 16 matching indicators. Such a project specific assessment framework has not previously been developed. The results from the validation of the framework suggested that technology transfer is the most likely benefit of any LFG CDM project while balance of payments is the least likely benefit. The proposed framework can be utilised at two stages in a CDM project lifecycle. It can be used as: (i) a template to guide host nations’ Designated National Authorities (DNAs) on how to review projects before issuing Letters of Approval (LoA); and (ii) Designated Operating Entities (DOEs) can also use the developed framework to validate and verify that sustainable development benefits stated in project proposals have been realised at the project level.