A Certified Emissions Reduction, also known as CER, is a certificate issued by the United Nations to member nations for preventing one tonne of carbon dioxide emissions. These are usually issued to member states for projects achieving greenhouse gas reductions through the use of Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM). CDMs make it possible for these projects to occur and set a baseline for future emission targets.

Countries with developed or traditional economies (recognized as Annex 1 under the Kyoto Protocol) use CERs to help them reach their emission targets. Those nations are able to achieve their objectives and are able to set future goals as it makes the effort of reducing greenhouse gases more realistic many countries.

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Other Sources

Carbon 350. “Certified Emission Reductions (CERs).” Carbon 350. http://www.carbon350.co.uk/carbon-assets-and-offsets/cers/. Accessed July 28, 2016.

Clear. “Offset with the United Nations.” Clear. https://clear-offset.com/CERs-for-carbon-offset.php. Accessed July 26, 2016.