The National CDM Authority (NCDMA) in the Ministry of Environment & Forests took a further step in applying the principles of e-governance by launching a new website today.It will enable CDM Project Proponents to file applications and upload their project documents directly from the comfort of their offices.  They would no longer be required to submit hard copies of the Project Reports to the Authority.

            Inaugurating the  website, Shri Vijai Sharma, Secretary, Environment & Forests, said that this step was a major initiative to further streamline the working of  India’s National CDM Authority, which is reckoned as one of the most efficient and pro-active Designated National Authority (DNA) in this world.  With on-line uploading of project reports, a feature which has been made available from today, the handling of project reports and other paper work of the Authority will be reduced considerably.  E-filing will be mandatory with immediate effect. However as a transitional measure the project proponents shall also submit hard copies of project reports till 30 September 2009.

            The NCDMA’s new website is active at  www.cdmindia.in.  However the old site www.cdmindia.nic.in will also exist.  After completion of the second phase, the site will  resume the address of www.cdmindia.nic.in.

            Shri Sharma underscored India’s commitment to press hard for further strengthening of the CDM and its continuation beyond 2012.  India and other major countries are major players in the field of CDM.  Without their effective participation, this mechanism cannot survive and would make compliance of emission reduction targets by Annex-I countries much more expensive.  With this view, India had given a greater thrust to the adoption of  Programme of Activities under CDM as it offers a huge potential to innovate and conceive good quality projects.  One such example is that of promotion of CFL Lamps under Bachat Lamp Yojna.

            The Secretary also informed  that, India’s CDM potential represents a significant component of the global CDM market.  As on 17 March 2009, 398 out of total 1455 projects registered by the CDM Executive Board are from India, which is next only to China with 453 projects.  The National CDM Authority (NCDMA) in India has accorded Host Country Approval to 1226 projects facilitating an investment of more than Rs.151,397 crores.  These projects are in the sectors of energy efficiency, fuel switching, industrial processes, municipal solid waste and renewable energy.  If registered by the CDM Executive Board, all these projects have the potential to generate 573 million Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) by the year 2012.  At a conservative price of US $ 10 per CER, it corresponds to an overall inflow of approximately US $ 5.73 billion in the country by the year 2012.

            The National CDM Authority also considered more than 50 projects for Host Country Approval in its meeting today.

KP