Household biogas CDM project development in rural China

China has become the most important country in the development and implementation of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects. The CDM has brought an opportunity for the development of household biogas in rural China. The feasibility analysis, calculation methods and potential of emissions reduction, CDM project development process, problems and countermeasures of household biogas CDM projects in rural China are discussed in this paper. The results of our analysis indicated it's feasible to develop household biogas CDM projects in rural China. There are several constraints for household biogas CDM project development in rural China. These include a lack of CDM knowledge, scattered distribution of household biogas digesters, long CDM registration time, high investment costs and the problems of sustainable development of household biogas which include a shortage of raw materials, inefficient straw fermentation technology, and poor follow-up services. Also, training for managers and farmers should be strengthened. The construction of programmatic clean development mechanism (PCDM) needs to be promoted. The declaration process should be simplified and multi-channels financing must be found. Those measures should be taken to promote the sustainable development of household biogas: straw will replace animal manure as the main raw material of biogas; Farmer's need training in biogas digester operation and management; Establishment of Rural Biogas Service Station is needed to provide follow-up services.