Abstract

MERCADO GARCIA, Alfonso  and  MOLINA RODRIGUEZ, Cintya Berenice. Central America in the emissions market: a multi-criteria assessment of Clean Development Mechanism projects. Prob. Des [online]. 2021, vol.52, n.204, pp.35-58.  Epub Apr 06, 2021. ISSN 0301-7036.  https://doi.org/10.22201/iiec.20078951e.2021.204.69648.

This study evaluates Central American countries’ participation in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which was instituted by the Kyoto Protocol to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The authors examine whether this mechanism promotes sustainable development in host countries, whose economies are relatively small. Simultaneously, the authors conduct a multi-criteria evaluation of large- scale CDM projects in Central America. Findings show that the mechanism advances host countries’ current priorities, rather than promoting sustainable development, thereby failing to meet one of the objectives of the CDM. Economic progress is a high priority at the local level and, accordingly, economic benefits outweigh social benefits, with local environmental costs being incurred in the process.

Keywords : greenhouse gas emissions; environmental impact; sustainable development; investments; multi-criteria analysis; Clean Development Mechanism.