The World Bank was a pioneer in the carbon market. The Bank’s operational engagement in carbon finance started with the establishment of the $180 million Prototype Carbon Fund (PCF) in 1999. This was rapidly followed by the establishment of other funds and facilities as the Kyoto Protocol was ratified. Today, the World Bank manages just over $2 billion across 10 carbon funds and facilities. Sixteen governments and 65 private companies from various sectors have made financial contributions to these funds.

The funds and facilities include the PCF; the Community Development Carbon Fund (CDCF), which extends c arbon finance to small poorer countries and communities; the BioCarbon Fund (BioCF), which applies carbon finance to forestry and land use projects; the Netherlands (Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) (*) Facilities; the Italian Carbon Fund; The Spanish Carbon Fund; the Danish Carbon Fund; the Umbrella Carbon Facility; and the Carbon Fund for Europe, launched in March 2007.

While the Bank’s initial role was to catalyze the global market for carbon emission reductions, carbon finance is now emerging into the mainstream of the Bank’s lending program. In December 2005, the Executive Directors endorsed the Bank’s approach for further engagement in carbon finance, focusing on three clear objectives – to:

Ensure that carbon finance contributes to sustainable development;
assist in building, sustaining, and expanding the international market for carbon emission reductions; and further strengthen the capacity of developing countries to benefit from the emerging market for emission reduction credits.

Operationally, the carbon finance program essentially supports the objectives of the second pillar of the Investment Framework for Clean Energy and Development, by providing incentives for transitioning to a low-carbon economy in the Bank’s client countries.

(*) The Clean Development Mechanism, (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) are flexible mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol that allow OECD countries to fulfill some of their greenhouse gas emission-reduction commitments through projects in the developing world (CDM) and countries with economies in transition (JI) .

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We have all heard about government grants and how they can benefit you, but the trick is how to find government grants that are available. If you are not familiar with a grant, simply put, it is free money. Probably the most popular type of government grant is those that are given for education. Most of those are based on need and availability. But these are not the only grants that are available through the federal government.

There are more free government grants available than most people realize. Another more common type of grant can be used to start a small business or to pay off debt. The most complicated part about getting a grant is locating them and completing the paperwork. The Small Business Association is a good place to begin your research, if you are looking for a grant to start a small business.

If you are looking for an education grant, the university or college you are considering is a great source for finding free money for you education.

Websites are another excellent source of information. This will take time, but it will be worth it. If you are looking for a particular type of grant, search websites associated with what you are looking for, such as; real estate websites for housing grants.

There are also companies that compile lists and sell them for a small fee. These tend to be more comprehensive. They give you a list of all types of government grants and not just particular categories of grants. These are a good option if you are interested in finding what is available.

If you are looking for assistance for education, a down payment for a home, to start a business, to make repairs to your home or to find a better job, you should research free government grants. These are just a few of the reasons that the government gives grants.

Before you spend money why not see if there is a grant that will help you meet your goals. The government has resources that vary from year to year for many tasks. Someone is going to get the money. Why shouldn't it be you?

Do you want to know how to find government grants that are available or government grants for older women returning to school? Visit GovernmentGrantsToday.com.

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