Russian President Vladimir Putin has now signed the Kyoto Protocol, which is an international treaty aimed at combating global warming. With Russia’s ratification the Kyoto Protocol enters into force three months from now, launching a new phase in the global campaign to reduce the risks of climate change. DNV has prepared for this for five years.
Once approved by President Putin, the Kyoto Protocol is ratified by the necessary 55 countries that accounted for at least 55 percent of global emissions in 1990.
“We have been waiting for this ratification for a long time,” says Trygve Røed-Larsen, who five years ago saw the potential and initiated the development of DNV’s climate change services. “Now everything is set for the international emissions trading to start.”
The Kyoto Protocol contains several so-called flexible mechanisms, which provide for transferable credits from greenhouse gas emission reduction projects. One of these is the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), where industrialised countries or companies can receive credits for financing emission-reducing projects in developing countries.
The CDM Executive Board, appointed by the parties to the UN Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC), has already accredited DNV for validation of climate change projects. DNV has also developed methodologies to secure credible audits, and is also accredited under:
• Californian Climate Action Registry, USA
• UK Emissions Trading Scheme
Well prepared
“DNV is well prepared to meet this new situation,” says Trygve Røed-Larsen. A climate change team established at Høvik works continuously to support and develop the worldwide network of DNV people working with climate change related services.
Trygve Røed-Larsen will from now on mainly concentrate on the Russian market.