(August 7, 2009) The Carbon Development Mechanism (CDM), a market-based tool developed by the UN to cut green house gas emissions, may be heralding a boon in hydro development projects in China and the developing world – and doing so at the cost of the environment and local landowners. As policy makers and environmentalists across the globe prepare for the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this winter, criticisms of carbon credit schemes like the CDM are begining to surface.
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Carbon credit fraud in the UK
(August 6, 2009) A recent article in the Telegraph examines the rise in UK tax fraud in carbon emissions trading market. The scheme is a variation on the VAT carousel fraud, where criminals import products VAT-free from EU member states, then sell the goods in the UK with a VAT charge, only to quickly disappear without turning over the VAT charge to the UK’s customs and tax department, Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs.
More than 37,000 Chinese dams could collapse from excess rain
(August 5, 2009) Earthquake damaged many dams in Sichuan (where more than 90 per cent of China’s dams are located). Monsoon rains are becoming increasingly powerful. Emergency plans are lacking. This summer could bring dangers.
Fatal Mudslides in Southern and Central China
(August 3, 2009) Over the past four days, torrentials rains have caused havock in central and southern China killing a dozen people.
Beijing to set up fee system for renewable water
(July 31, 2009) The draft stipulated that the price of Beijing’s recycled water would be specified by the price control department of Beijing Municipal Government in accordance with relevant national provisions, and would take effect after publication. If the price of renewable water cannot make up for water supply costs, the Department of Public Finance will establish a system of subsidy.
Heavy Rains Create Mudslides and Mine Flooding in China
(July 25, 2009) A major rainstorm swept through central Hunan Province yesterday killing at least 14 people and forcing another 30,000 from their homes.
Xiluodu Hydropower Project Draws Auditors’ Criticism
(July 21, 2009) The Xiluodu hydropower project, China’s second-largest hydropower station, is under fire from government auditors for weak spending controls, costly contract alterations to speed up the project and other problems.
Three Gorges Water Control Project Feasibility Study
(March 27, 1988) The following are links to PDF files containing the full text of each volume of the Three Gorges Water Control Project Feasibility Study
Four people dead, 53 missing in China landslide
(July 23, 2009) A number of workers at the construction site of the Changhe hydroelectric dam on the Dadu river were killed in a recent landslide. According to the government, heavy rains triggered the landslide in a remote and mountainous area of southwest China.
Safety concerns at huge China dam project: auditor
(July 21, 2009) Developers building one of the world’s biggest hydropower projects in southwest China are taking dangerous shortcuts, state media reported Tuesday, citing the national auditor.
As a people, Americans giving more of themselves
The Globe and Mail’s Neil Reynolds breaks down the foreign aid numbers.
Interview with Dambisa Moyo
(July 20, 2009) Dambisa Moyo, economist and author of Dead Aid, discussing problems of foreign aid to the developing world. Moyo believes that pouring more aid into the coffers of African governments will do nothing to promote healthy economic growth. Instead, she calls for an opening of global trade, lower tariffs and a functioning tax system.
Carbon emissions trading system ‘seriously flawed’
(July 20, 2009) The system of trading carbon emissions at the heart of the ambitious low-carbon plan announced by the government last week is seriously flawed and close to becoming irrelevant, according to researchers behind a new analysis.
The Gr8 Escape: The G8 is doing very little to help Africa
(July 17, 2009) Foreign aid is again in the spotlight after the recent G8 meeting in L’Aquila, Italy. One area that garnered particular attention from the media was the decision by G8 leaders to increase aid to Africa for food security and agricultural development to $20-billion-a 33% increase from the previously promised $15-billion.
Obama’s plan to override Congressional conditions for US funding of World Bank is overwhelmingly rejected by lawmakers
(July 17, 2009) President Obama recently received a harsh lesson from Congress after he decided to openly ignore some of the environmental, labour and transparency regulations attached to funds allocated for the World Bank and IMF. Worse still for the President, the indictment came from both sides of the aisle—with 429-2 voting to negate the recent signing statement.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
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Probe International 