What I've stated clearly is that the clean development mechanism is a market-based mechanism that can be used for private sector entities to be able to purchase or invest in third world country projects for emission reductions. What I believe is necessary is that if the government is going to facilitate these kinds of projects, we should make sure we have oversight, that there is third-party verification that there are emissions reductions happening. If taxpayer money is involved, there should absolutely be third-party verification. I would rather see the government invest taxpayers' money directly in projects that will result in verifiable emissions reductions and therefore help us toward our Kyoto target.
On December 11th, 2006. See this statement in context.