Carbon markets, especially the CDM, have in the past been criticised for focusing too much on achieving GHG reductions, and too little on the potential harm that mitigation activities may cause on the ground to local stakeholders and the environment. With the advent of the Paris Agreement and the SDG agenda, Parties now have the chance to take these concerns into account when designing the new cooperative approaches according to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
The objective of this paper, Positive Results, no Negative Consequences - Do no harm options for Article 6, is to analyse and make recommendations on a safeguard system for Article 6 that aims at preventing potential harm that mitigation activities may cause on the ground to local stakeholders and the environment. Following some definitory aspects of what and how to safeguard, the paper analyses a number of safeguard systems and do no harm principles as well as tools to implement them. It then gives an overview on Parties' views on the matter, as uttered in their latest submissions on Art. 6 options, as well as an overview of the references in the UNFCCC’s SBSTA Chair’s text with respect to sustainable development, safeguards, and human rights issues. The paper closes with recommendations on a possible safeguard system for Article 6.