THE KYOTO PROTOCOL:
A GUIDE AND ASSESSMENT
The authors deserve high marks for this
very useful book. They made good use of
their access to negotiators involved in the
Kyoto agreement, and draw extensively on a
number of government and NGO experts.
The chapter on the Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM), one of the most important
and most innovative aspects of the Kyoto
Protocol, is comprehensive and clearly
written. The authors forthrightly
acknowledge that the CDM opens up a
potentially large loophole in the overall
commitment targets, unless the projects for
which CDM credits are issued are truly
additional (see article page 5). This is a
fact that most negotiators around the world
are still loath to discuss. The chapters on
other flexibility mechanisms are also
excellent, including an enlightening
section on the potential trading of 'hot'
or 'paper' air (as a result of the high
commitment targets given to Russia and
Ukraine), and some ways around that
pitfall.
In sum, this book will reward a wide
range of readers. For those still involved
in climate change negotiations, it is a
small gold mine of useful facts, figures,
tips and suggestions. Put it on your
reading list for the millennium!
Jim Barnes, FoEI
'The Kyoto Protocol: A Guide and
Assessment', by Michael Grubb, Christiaan
Vrolijk and Duncan Brack. Available from
Earthscan Publications, Chatham House, 10
St. James's Square, London SW1Y
4LW.
