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Dept for International Development

Answer

Dr. Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) whether the extinguishing of burning coal mines falls within the scope of the clean development mechanisms introduced by the Kyoto Protocol; [209841] (2) what assistance his Department has provided to developing countries seeking to extinguish burning coal mines. [209842] Mr. Gareth Thomas: In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol established the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The purpose of the CDM is to enable developed countries and economies in transition (more precisely, those countries that are included in Annex I to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) to meet their greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets (5 per cent. compared to 1990 levels by the period 2008-12) at lowest possible cost by undertaking projects in developing countries. To be eligible under the CDM, projects must also assist in the achievement of sustainable development, and contribute to the attainment of the environmental goals of the Framework Convention. To fall within the scope of the CDM, any project proposal to extinguish burning coal mines would need to meet these three criteria. It would further need to be shown that the resulting emissions reductions were "additional" (i.e. going beyond what would have happened in the absence of the project) and calculated in accordance with an approved CDM methodology. To date, the Department for International Development (DFID) has not received any requests from developing countries to provide assistance to extinguish coal mine fires. We would encourage any country seeking international support to consider using the CDM.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

430 c249W; 209841;209842

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Coal Air pollution Climate change Developing countries Development aid Mining Pollution control Climate Change Convention

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk