Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The main terrestrial carbon storage capacity, being about three times the current
atmospheric carbon quantity, is predominantly situated in forests, with resistance
against plant matter decay being very important. As one of the major organic consti-
tuents of plant biomass, lignin plays a key role in preventing microbiological decay
(see also Chapter 2). Terrestrial net primary production (NPP) is an important indica-
tor of natural carbon sequestration and is defined as the difference between gross
primary biomass production and respiration. The terrestrial carbon sequestration
degree is not yet reaching the limitation posed by current CO
2
concentrations
(Schimel, 1995). Thus, it forms a potential sink for anthropogenic carbon emissions,
although, depending on plant type, the saturation level is reached sooner or later.
Furthermore, nutrient availability (fixed nitrogen and phosphor) may hamper growth
already before the saturation level has been reached.
In the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) on December 11, 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted, aimed at the
“
stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would
prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system
(see tinyurl.
com/35t7t7). By September 2011, 191 countries had signed and ratified the Protocol;
this has been extended recently at Doha to the year 2020. The reference year for the
emissions counted is 1990. The European Union as a whole targets for a
”
8% differ-
ence compared to that year. Countries have a certain degree of flexibility in how they
make and measure their GHG emission reductions. In particular, an international
“
−
regime will be established, allowing industrialized countries to
buy and sell emission credits among themselves. This mechanism is targeted toward
accounting for external costs, which would otherwise be overlooked by the market,
into the price of energy sources. Countries will also be able to acquire
emissions trading
”
“
emission
reduction units
by financing certain kinds of projects in other developed countries
through a mechanism known as Joint Implementation (JI). In addition, a
”
“
Clean
Development Mechanism
(CDM) for promoting sustainable development will
enable industrialized countries to finance emission reduction projects in developing
countries and receive credit for doing so.
Operational guidelines will pursue emission cuts in a wide range of economic sec-
tors. The Protocol encourages governments to cooperate with one another, improve
energy efficiency, reform the energy and transportation sectors, promote renewable
forms of energy, phase out inappropriate fiscal measures and market imperfections,
limit methane emissions from waste management and energy systems, and protect
forests and other carbon
”
The measurement of changes in net emissions
(calculated as emissions minus CO
2
removals) from forests is methodologically com-
plex and still needs to be clarified. The Protocol will advance the implementation of
existing commitments by all countries. Under the Convention, both developed and
developing countries agree to take measures to limit emissions and promote adaptation
to future climate change impacts; submit information on their national climate change
programs and inventories; promote technology transfer; cooperate on scientific and
technical research; and promote public awareness, education, and training. The Protocol
also reiterates the need to provide
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sinks.
”
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new and additional
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financial resources to meet the
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agreed full costs
”
incurred by developing countries in carrying out these commitments.
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