Joint Implementation

Joint implementation (JI) is an arrangement under the Kyoto Protocol allowing industrialised countries with a greenhouse gas reduction commitment (so-called Annex 1 countries) to invest in emission reducing projects in another industrialised country. Annex 1 countries with relatively high emission abatement costs can comply with their Kyoto targets by using credits from lower cost JI projects.

A JI project might involve, for example, replacing a coal-fired power plant with a more efficient combined heat and power plant. Most JI projects are expected to take place in the Annex I Parties with economies in transition in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, where the costs of reducing emissions are considered lower.

Emission reductions achieved with JI projects are awarded credits called Emission Reduction Units (ERUs). One ERU signifies an emission reduction of one tonne of CO2 equivalent.