Article 6 of the Paris Agreement enables the signatory states to cooperate in mitigating climate change. However, the market mechanism can also create false incentives, for example if host countries set less ambitious targets for themselves in order to be able to sell more internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMO). Together with an international research team, INFRAS developed four approaches to counter this phenomenon.

What climate-related risks will developing countries face in the future? What can they do themselves to strengthen their resilience and to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions? As part of a long-standing partnership, INFRAS supports the Climate Change & Environment Network of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) with subject-related expertise and knowledge transfer.

Road traffic in Kenya is growing rapidly. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions are also rising. INFRAS has calculated how much CO₂ could be saved with four mitigation options in the transport sector. The greatest reduction potential would come from more efficient freight transport.

Increased fuel tax or levy, fuel subsidy removal: How do pricing measures in the transport sector influence greenhouse gas emissions? INFRAS developed a guidance that allows policymakers and practitioners to estimate the impacts of transport pricing policies – in particular with respect to developing countries.

Liechtenstein's annual greenhouse gas emissions in 2015 were 13 percent lower than in 1990. They are likely to fall further still by 2030. That is the verdict of the 7th National Communication, which has been produced by the Office of Environment with support from INFRAS.

Climate action and blockchain? To use the advantages of an intersection of these two strands is the idea of the Climate Ledger Initiative.

How can a country evaluate its climate policy? A compendium by international experts shows methods by which countries can assess by themselves, how effective their climate policy is. And it shows what additional efforts are required in order to achieve their national climate protection goals. 

Greenhouse gas emission reduction projects of different countries can only be assessed, compared and plausibly certified when applying international valuation standards. This is a precondition for well-functioning crediting mechanisms, by which effective projects are awarded with tradable certificates. This is one of the conclusions reached by INFRAS, in cooperation with other climate experts, in a report commissioned by the Swedish Energy Agency.

Shopping malls, office buildings, residential buildings and public buildings in India shall become more energy efficient. An INFRAS valuation method helps to estimate and evaluate how effective energy efficiency measures in buildings are. (Photo: Sapsiwai, Fotolia)