Clean development mechanism (CDM)

Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol defines the clean development mechanism. “The purpose of the clean
development mechanism shall be to assist Parties1 not included in Annex I in achieving sustainable
development and in contributing to the ultimate objective of the Convention, and to assist Parties
included in Annex I in achieving compliance with their quantified emission limitation and reduction
commitments under article 3”.
At its seventh session, the Conference of the Parties (COP) adopted modalities and procedures for a clean
development mechanism (CDM modalities and procedures, see annex to decision 17/CP.7, document
FCCC/CP/2001/13/Add.2) and agreed on a prompt start of the CDM by establishing an Executive Board
and agreeing that until the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol (a) this Board should act as the
Executive Board of the CDM and (b) the Conference of the Parties (COP) should act as the Conference
of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP) as required by the
Protocol and the CDM modalities and procedures.
SOURCE: GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETING CDM-PDD, CDM-NMB and CDM-NMM