§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place outside the remit of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change between his Department and the Governments of developing countries relating to the design of the Clean Development Mechanism. [112170]
§ Mr. MeacherI have been asked to reply.
Since the Fifth Conference of the Parties in Bonn in October-November 1999, there have been no discussions relating to the design of the Clean Development Mechanism between members of the UK Government and governments of developing countries. However, the intensified process in the run-up to the Sixth Conference of the Parties in November 2000 includes several opportunities for such discussions by Ministers and officials, both within and outside the formal UNFCCC process.
§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's definition of clean development. [112171]
§ Mr. MeacherI have been asked to reply.
In the context of the Clean Development Mechanism established by the Kyoto Protocol, there is no agreed international definition of "clean development". However, under the Kyoto Protocol, Clean Development Mechanism projects are defined as those that contribute to the overall objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change—to reduce and stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere—and assist the developing country host in achieving sustainable development.