Analysis of the Clean Development Mechanism As a Vehicle for Achieving Sanitation Objectives of the UN Millennium Goals
Abstract
The UN Millennium Development Goals identified sanitation objectives as being fundamental
to stopping the downward spiral of impoverished nations. This basic improvement is
so important to quality of life that it is the foundation for protecting public health,
the environment, and building economic stability. Climate change and its disproportionate
impact on the poor make achieving the goals more elusive as poor nations struggle
to adapt while limiting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Clean Development Mechanism
(CDM) provides market incentives for reducing GHG emissions while investing in sustainable
development. This master’s project looks at the feasibility of applying the CDM to
provide a financial incentive for improving wastewater treatment facilities in Durban,
South Africa. Specifically, it looks at algae based wastewater treatment systems
to create biofuel, fertilizers and other useful byproducts.
Algae wastewater treatment enhances water quality through nutrient removal and can
create certified emission reduction (CER) credits by replacing the secondary treatment
process to eliminate N2O emissions and reduce energy and chemical operations costs.
Algae research investment and venture capital have grown exponentially to create numerous
partnership opportunities for financing. South Africa and eThekwini Municipality
are competent in the CDM process, have experience with algae technology, and stand
poised to leverage opportunities.
A recent carbon market downturn and escalating administrative costs in the CDM make
a weak cost-benefit ratio for smaller scale projects. A “Sectoral” approach to include
the entire Water and Sanitation unit of eThekwini Municipality is recommended. CDM
proposals should consider multiple algae wastewater treatment plant retrofits with
production of algae biofuels. The biofuels should be used by the municipality to
increase offsets and credits to be more cost effective. This would increase the volume
of CERs that can be generated and therefore the economic incentive available to improve
sanitation.
Type
Master's projectSubject
Clean Development MechanismUN Millennium Goals
Wastewater Treatment
Algae to biofuels
eThekwini Municipality
Algae based wastewater treatment
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/977Citation
Loken, Lorraine (2009). Analysis of the Clean Development Mechanism As a Vehicle for Achieving Sanitation
Objectives of the UN Millennium Goals. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/977.Collections
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