Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
large emitters (buyers) who have the resources to audit the providers
(sellers). Sellers might be certified under ISO 9002 (quality systems,
including forest inventory and mapping systems) and ISO 14001
(environmental management systems). They might also be certified at the
national level or through such ENGO initiatives as the FSC that would
certify independent companies who have the expertise to conduct carbon
audits and/or certify and audit sellers.
A market for trading C sequestration credits is an important
development for several reasons. First, the futures market for C credits - a
futures market because it deals with C uptake in the Kyoto commitment
period (2008-2012) - establishes a price for C. While not tied to damages,
it does provide a useful indicator for both the private sector and policy
makers. Further, such a market can be integrated into a larger system of
carbon emissions trading; instead of purchasing -emission permits,
companies (or countries) can purchase C uptake credits. Finally, biomass
burning projects are likely more profitable with carbon credits than
without, because the credits have value.
5. CONCLUSIONS
Despite prolific research on the topic, many issues related to the role of
forestry in abating climate change remain to be resolved. Our research
indicates that, while researchers have focused on how management affects
C storage in the bole, information about non-bole C is limited. We have
only begun to estimate the soil C fluxes associated with “improved” land
management and land use changes. Even less is known about the costs of
the additional associated C uptake.
Likewise, our research indicates that little is known about the
supply of wood for biomass burning. We lack knowledge about whether
wood waste or fibre from plantation forests designated for biomass
burning. The economics of biomass burning are location specific and
related to wood fibre availability. They also depend on economic
institutions and incentives. Recent research (Suchanek 2001) suggests that
it will not be easy to convince farmers to switch their current land uses to
incorporate large-block planting of trees; significant subsidies appear to be
needed, but these are likely too large relative to other means for reducing
atmospheric Not surprisingly, farmers are interested in gaining carbon
credits for changing agricultural practices so that more organic matter (and
thus carbon) is stored in soil; these practices reduce soil erosion, and
include minimum tillage and reduced tillage summer fallow. However, the
technology of biomass burning is changing, driven by fossil fuel prices and
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