CO{sub 2} offset opportunities in Siberian forests. Final report
With 2.3 million square miles of forests, Siberia represents over half of the world`s coniferous forests and an estimated 25% of the world`s wood volume. Many countries, including the US, are looking closely at this region for opportunities to help offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, before investing in projects in Siberia, there are key issues that must be understood. This report examines these key issues, summarizes what is known, and identifies where further research is still needed. Since from the perspective of CO{sub 2} concentrations is does not matter where in the world GHG emissions are offset, a growing number of projects are being developed internationally, where an entity in one country reduces GHG emissions (or increases sequestration) in another country. This strategy is known as joint implementation (JI). The report includes an examination of both US and international climate change policy since 1990, with a particular emphasis on implications for US utilities. Socioeconomic, political, and environmental issues in Siberia, including carbon storage and forest sequestration potential, are reviewed as well. Section Two examines reforestation, afforestation, and regeneration strategies. Section Three suggests various steps to implement forestry-based offset projects. In addition, the report contains an analysis of two forestry-based JI projects that are close to implementation and results of a Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis. 87 refs.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); Applied Environmental Research, Inc., Falls Church, VA (United States); Center for the Study of the Environment, Santa Barbara, CA (United States); EcoAnalysis, Inc., Ojai, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 378833
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-TR--106059
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON SINKS
CLIMATIC CHANGE
COMPILED DATA
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FORESTS
GREENHOUSE GASES
INVESTMENT
MITIGATION
POLITICAL ASPECTS
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
REVEGETATION
SIBERIA
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS