What are certified emission reductions or CERs?

Certified emission reductions or CERs are electronic certificates issued for greenhouse gas emission reductions from clean development mechanism project activities or programmes of activities in accordance with the clean development mechanism rules and requirements. Each CER is equivalent to one metric tonne of carbon dioxide avoided or removed from the atmosphere.

The environmental benefit of CERs can be claimed to offset or compensate greenhouse gas emissions, among other uses.

Are CERs trusted offsets? How are CERs generated?

UN-certified offsets, also known as certified emission reductions or carbon credits, are generated from clean development mechanism projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions via a variety of methods. These projects can, amongst other approaches:

• REPLACE the use of dirty fossil fuels with clean renewable energy (wind, hydro, solar, biomass);

• REDUCE energy consumption and the use of fossil fuels through energy efficiency measures (clean cooking stoves, energy efficient light bulbs);

• CAPTURE already released carbon in trees and other plants (reforestation and forest regeneration projects), amongst other approaches.

Clean development mechanism projects adhere to strict technological standards and are rigorously scrutinized through an international monitoring, reporting and verification process.

Clean development mechanism projects have been credited with avoiding more than 1.5 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.