The Climate Protection Programme’s initial focus was to reduce and prevent greenhouse gas emissions. Today, most developing countries concentrate on placing such projects within the context of the Kyoto Protocol. This is because, the Protocol provides for "flexible mechanisms" that allow industrialised countries to meet at least cost their commitments arising under the Protocol. This means that emissions can be reduced where the resultant costs are lowest.

There are three flexible mechanisms. Among these, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) integrates developing countries into Kyoto Protocol implementation on a voluntary basis. The CDM allows companies in industrialised countries to use emission credits generated by projects carried out in developing countries to meet industrialised-country commitments.

Before CDM projects can be carried out in a developing country, the country in question must establish a CDM approval authority – the Designated National Authority (DNA) – and adopt the relevant decision-making rules. The identification and preparation of such projects in the energy sector, in waste management, and also in industry, requires special expertise that must be built up through advisory inputs, such as those provided by CaPP.

• to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• to assist participating developing countries on their path towards sustainable development.

CDM host countries face many challenges. In numerous countries, the institutional setting first needs to be created or optimised in order that the CDM can become a functioning climate protection instrument.

The Climate Protection Programme helps developing countries to build the institutional and human resource capacities required for the entire CDM process. This places the countries in a position to harness the CDM as a tool for sustainable development, notably in the energy, waste management and industrial sectors.

All International Cooperation projects in which greenhouse gases play a role are repeatedly examined to determine to what extent the use of climate-friendly technologies can prevent or reduce emissions, and to identify whether the CDM can be helpful in this respect.