Local government units and groups from various industries in Negros Occidental were trained to do initial computations of carbon credits for potential projects they can develop and be eligible for the Clean Development Mechanism.

About 20 representatives from LGUs,  sugar mills and a  transport company as well as hog raisers and  organic agriculture advocates movement attended the recent two-day CDM capacity-building workshop in Bacolod City sponsored by the Manila Observatory's klima-Climate Change Center and   the Japanese government's Institute for Global Environmental Strategies.

Project coordinator Marina Mallare of the klima-Climate Change Center said that along with IGES, represented by Kazuhisa Koakutsu, their organization is offering free technical assistance to groups in Negros Occidental who have projects that can be eligible for the CDM.

She said that projects should be able to reduce any of the six greenhouse gasses covered under the Kyoto Protocol. These include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

One of the three mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol, the CDM, allows developed countries to invest in carbon emission reduction projects in development countries, and projects must assist developing countries in achieving sustainable development and generate carbon reduction credits for the carbon buyers from developed countries.

CDM eligible projects are those involving renewable energy, fuel switching (biomass or biofuel), end-use energy efficiency improvements, supply-side energy efficiency improvements, waste management, sink projects (afforestation and reforestation), industrial processes, and agriculture.      

In Negros Occidental, the First Farmers Holdings Corp. Bagasse Cogeneration Plant in Talisay City is already requesting registration, with a yearly Emissions Reduction estimate of 119,787 tons.

However, Bacolod City Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, whose office coordinates the CDM-related activities here, said the workshop participants have identified constraints in pursuing projects like lack of understanding by local leaders of the CDM process and the lack of funds.*NLG

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