Benefits to U.S. Participants

1) Public recognition - USIJI participants receive public recognition for their efforts to reduce the threat of climate change and contribute to sustainable development. USIJI provides recognition of participants in the form of communications programs and rights to use the program logo and materials for public relations programs.

2) Information about new market opportunities - The global markets for new technologies and energy and natural resource management services are growing rapidly. Upon request, the Secretariat can direct participants to appropriate sources of information on export opportunities developed through the Department of Commerce, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and other federal agencies.

3) Technical assistance - The USIJI draws on technical experts from federal agencies, national laboratories, industry, industry associations, state and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, private consulting firms, international or host country organizations, host country government agencies, and/or academia to provide a limited amount of general technical assistance. The assistance is subject to the availability of resources and the development of appropriate mechanisms and consists of workshops, guidance documents, issues papers, and JI hotline assistance. Technical assistance can also include:

• identifying or developing appropriate methodologies for establishing a GHG emissions baseline and for measuring emissions reduced or sequestered
• providing guidance on monitoring and verifying GHG emissions reduced or sequestered as a result of the project

4) International credibility - Participation in USIJI helps establish a track record in international markets by facilitating relationships with governments, businesses, and organizations in foreign countries. 

5) Input to development of international criteria for joint implementation - The U.S. government includes USIJI projects in its presentations under the auspices of the United Nations Conference of the Parties for a Framework Convention on Climate Change (which replaced the General Assembly to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) in March 1995). Participation in JI activities affords the United States an opportunity to influence the direction and structure of JI beyond the pilot phase by demonstrating the potential for international collaboration to resolve environmental problems. 

6) Official tracking and recording of a projects’s emissions reductions

1) Technology transfer - The USIJI pilot program encourages the U.S. private sector to invest additional resources in the dissemination of innovative technologies that can help meet development priorities while reducing or sequestering GHG emissions.

2) Investment facilitation - By reducing transaction costs, USIJI facilitates investments in technologies and projects that reduce GHG emissions while contributing to overall host country development objectives.

3) Local environmental and health benefits - Measures that reduce or sequester greenhouse gases often generate other local environmental and human health benefits by preventing or reducing air, water, or soil pollution and/or by contributing to more sustainable use of natural resources.

4) Local economic benefits - USIJI projects may generate local economic benefits through training construction of new or improved facilities, public participation in projects, and provision of new energy services.

5) Opportunity to influence the future of JI - Participation in JI activities affords the host county an opportunity to influence the direction and structure of JI beyond the pilot phase by demonstrating the potential for international collaboration to resolve environmental problems.

1) Reduction in overall cost to reduce GHG emissions - Emissions of GHG are projected to grow on a global basis. Joint implementation offers a cost-effective solution to reducing or sequestering emissions of these gases. 

2) Promotion of sustainable development -  JI projects encourage additional private sector investment in the development and dissemination of technologies and practices that contribute to sustainable development while sequestering GHGs.