"CDM: Changing Lives" for the Worse

The Climate Secretariat of the UN puts its PR machine into gear every year with its "CDM Changing Lives Photo and Video Contest." Is it a way for the the UN to spruce up the image of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and deflect criticism?

The winners of the contest were announced earlier this week by the head of the UN Climate Convention. The winning photos were of a project to install energy efficient light bulbs in India, a methane avoidance project in Brazil, and a wind farm in Egypt. All very beautiful images.

Yet it is quite notable that hydropower is not showcased, even though it is the most prevalent project type in the CDM. But, of course, highlighting a project such as the Jorethang Loop Hydropower project in India wouldn't be good publicity, even though it is more representative of  CDM projects than the winning photos. The project developer did not carry out proper consultations with the local community (a requirement of the CDM) and claimed that hydro is not a common project type in India, although it accounts for one quarter of total power generation - higher than the global average.

Another poignant example of the CDM changing lives is the impact that the CDM has on waste pickers. They are replaced by landfills and incinerators, which results in loss of work for the waste pickers and higher emissions felt by the atmosphere. Our friends at GAIA have brought a delegation of waste pickers (see photo) to inform the CDM Executive Board, as well as delegates about their plight.

"Changing Lives" is an appropriate description for the people affected by CDM projects Unfortunately, many people's lives have been changed for the worse by the CDM.