Greenhouse Gas Offsets: a Case Study in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, Mexico
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University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies Legacy Theses 1999 Greenhouse gas offsets: A case study in the Sierra Gorda biosphere reserve, Mexico Hill, Maureen Debora Hill, M. D. (1999). Greenhouse gas offsets: A case study in the Sierra Gorda biosphere reserve, Mexico (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/12778 http://hdl.handle.net/1880/25067 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY GREENHOUSE GAS OFFSETS: A CASE STUDY IN THE SIERRA GORDA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, MEXICO by Maureen D. Hill A Master's Degree Project submitted to the Faculty of Environmental Design in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Environmental Design (Environmental Science) Faculty of Environmental Design Calgary, Alberta September, 1 999 O Maureen D. Hill, 1999 National Library Biblioth&que nationale 1*1 of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographic Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395. rue Wellington OnawaON KlAON4 OttawaON KlAON4 Canada Canada varrdlr Vomdhrrwr Our IUO Norre raW.nco The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accorde une Licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive pennettant a la National Library of Canada to Bibliotheque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, prster, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette these sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format electronique . The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriete du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d7auteurqui protege cette these. thesis nor substantial extracts fkom it Ni la these ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent 6tre imprimes reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. ABSTRACT Prepared in partial fblfillment of the requirements of the M.E.Des. (Environmental Science) Degree in the Faculty of Environmental Design University of Calgary Co-supervisors: Dr. Dixon Thompson and Dr. Michael Quim This Master's Degree Project explores the challenges and incentives of participation in Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) land use change and forestry projects that sequester carbon from the atmosphere. This topic was investigated through a literature review, interviews, conferences, a case study. and analysis of information. The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve in East Central Mexico (Reserve) w-as used to identify the incentives and bamers to development and successful implementation of CDM projects from the host country perspective, and to examine the co-benefits in addition to carbon sequestration. The Reserve is managed by the non- profit organization Grupo Ecologico Sierra Gorda (Grupo). Feasibility studies on the potentiaI for the Reserve as a CDM carbon sequestration project have already begun. As the issue of global warming achieves greater political recognition, the CDM, created under Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol, is gaining popularity in the international arena. A CDM project. in simplest terms. can be defined as an international project that results in a real, measurable and long-term decrease in net greenhouse gas emissions in a non-Annex I, or host, country. Although the host country does not receive credit for the emission reduction, it may receive many other benefits, including technology, expertise and funding. Many incentives for participating in a CDM project exist; however. currently numerous obstacles must be overcome before CDM can be considered a successfid and effective tool to manage GHG emissions. Key recommendations include: Parties to the Kyoto Protocol must ensure inclusion of land-use change and forestry projects under the CDM, and must ensure the goals of the CDM are more inclusive of host country participants. Key recommendations specific to the case study include: the Mexican government should identifjr multiple CDM projects and pool carbon resources, Grupo Ecologico Sierra Gorda should partner with a local university to conduct a comprehensive -Eap analysis of forest ecosystems in the Sierra Gorda, Grupo should consider CDM projects in addition to afforestation and deforestation, and Grupo must ensure local residents of the Sierra Gorda are provided with training and education opportunities. Key Words: Kyoto Protocol, Clean Development Mechanism, greenhouse gas offsets, climate change, global warming, carbon sequestration, Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, Mexico, developing country, biodiversity I am pleased to recognize the infallible support of the following individuals, without whom this project would not have been possible: Thanks to my supervisory committee members, Dr. Dixon Thompson and Dr. Mike Quinn from the Faculty of Environmental Design at the University of Calgary, and D. Neil Bird from Woodrising Consulting Inc. for their guidance and suggestions. Special thanks to Neil for the inspiration for this project, and the field support in the Sierra Gorda and Mexico City. Thanks to Mr. Bill from the FacuIty of Environmental Design for his unwavering willingness to assist whenever and wherever possible. Thanks to members of Grupo Ecologico Sierra Gorda for sharing their extensive knowledge and respect for the Sierra Gorda with kindness and candor. Thanks to Lesley Matthews, Sherry Sim. and Kim Ayrton, whose critical review and unfaltering encouragement kept me on-track, determined, and inspired. Thanks to John Wecels for his professional graphics. endurance, and encouragement. Thanks to Dr. Dave Devenny and Debra Zanewich of Komex InternationaI Ltd. for their critical review and insights. Finally, thanks to my family for their support and faith. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 -0 CHAPTER 1 Introduction ........................ .... .......................................... 1 1.1 Background ......................................................................................................................... 1 1 .2 Objectives ........................................................................................................................... 3 1 -3 Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 3 1.3.1 Literature Review ............. .... ................................................................................. 4 1.3.2 Conferences and Presentations ..................... .... ........................................................... 5 1-33 Casestudy .................................................................................................................. 6 1.3.4 Informal Interviews ..................................................................................................... 8 1.3.5 Data Analysis ......................................................................................................... 8 . 1.3 Research Limitations ........................................................................................................... 9 1 -5 Document Layout .............................................................................................................. 10 2.0 CHAPTER 2 Greenhouse Gas Offsets: The Clean Development Mechanism ................ 13 2.1 History .......................... .-.. ................................................................................................. 13 2.1 .1 Global Warming ........... .... ................................................................................... I3 2.1.2 International Political Initiatives ................................................................................ 17 2.1.3 Canadian Political Initiatives ..................................................................................... 24 2.2 Types of Greenhouse Gas Offset Projects ............................ .... .......................................... 26 2.2.1 Source Projects .................................................................................................... 26 2.2.2 Sink Projects .................... ... .............................................................................. 27 2.3 Actors and Participants ..................................................................................................... 31 2.4 Standards and Criteria ....................................................................................................... 32 2.4.1 Project eligibility ....................................................................................................... 33 2.3.2 Certification .......................................................... .. ............................................... 34 2.4.3 Emissions Trading ..................................................................................................... 37 2.5 Incentives and Benefits ..................................................................................................... 37 2.5.1 Incentives for Annex I Countries ............................................................................... 37