CCAP has been actively involved in the development of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol by helping design the rules for the CDM and through one-on-one work with developing countries. Beginning in 1999, CCAP’s CDM Dialogue brought together senior negotiators from up to 30 Annex I (developed) and non-Annex I (developing) countries on a number of occasions to discuss technical and legal issues surrounding development and implementation of the CDM. The format for the meetings consisted of presentations of technical papers by CCAP staff, consultants and partner organizations, followed by discussions among the participants. The Dialogue enabled negotiators to engage in informal discussions away from the negotiations; to focus on technical, rather than political, issues; and to come to a better understanding of the practical issues and their implications for rules negotiated by the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Working in the Caribbean in 1999 and 2000, CCAP continued its CDM work by exploring the development of regional emissions baselines for several key sectors. The goal of the project was to reduce transaction costs associated with energy efficiency and renewable energy project development under the CDM.

At the request of the government of Canada, CCAP facilitated an informal workshop on streamlining the CDM in the lead up to the international climate convention meeting in Montreal in December 2005 where CDM strengthening was a key issue. The workshop, held in Montreal, brought together representatives from developed and developing countries for an off-the-record exchange of views on options for strengthening the operation of the CDM under the Kyoto Protocol. CCAP was one of the key organizations facilitating discussions that helped arrive at a sound decision on strengthening the CDM at the climate change conference in Montreal.