United Nations Radio

The Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol is moving from the "infant" stage to "maturity."

That is how its Executive Board Chair Kumar Sethi described the registration of the 1000th project aimed at cutting carbon dioxide emissions.

The energy efficiency project in India is expected to reduce emissions by 34,000 tonnes annually. Under the Clean Development Mechanism or CDM, by participating in emissions reduction projects in developing countries developed countries can earn "points" or so called "certified emission reductions".

Currently there are 1000 such projects in 49 countries. Carbon dioxide emissions are responsible for global warming. According to the Kyoto protocol, developed countries need to reduce their greenhouse emissions by 5% compared with 1990 levels.

The Protocol expires in 2012. Work is under way to create a new comprehensive climate change agreement which would include developing countries.

Reporting for UN Radio, I am Elena Vapnitchnaia.

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