The contribution of forests to climate change mitigation has been acknowledged especially since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. A quarter of a century later, we in Ireland are finally discussing what the actuality of forestry and climate change means. Dr Eugene Hendrick points to 2015 EU legislation which he says is a
Forestry’s role in climate change debate" target="_blank">game-changer from a forestry and land use perspective, because for the first time this will cover “the full range of greenhouse gas emissions and removals (sequestration) from forestry, as well as managed cropland and grassland”. This has major benefits for Ireland as we can increase forest cover by 60% without negatively affecting agricultural production.
The contribution of forests to climate change mitigation has been acknowledged especially since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. A quarter of a century later, we in Ireland are finally discussing what the actuality of forestry and climate change means.
Dr Eugene Hendrick points to 2015 EU legislation which he says is a Forestry’s role in climate change debate" target="_blank">game-changer from a forestry and land use perspective, because for the first time this will cover “the full range of greenhouse gas emissions and removals (sequestration) from forestry, as well as managed cropland and grassland”. This has major benefits for Ireland as we can increase forest cover by 60% without negatively affecting agricultural production.
Vincent Nally’s suggestion that we adopt the Climate change and forestry practice" target="_blank">New Zealand approach to carbon trading has merit if we are to achieve increased planting programmes. Last month, the NZ government approved a second set of changes to its Emission Trading Scheme (ETS). Up to now, forest owners had to “surrender back to the Crown a large portion of the carbon credits” at clearfell even if they reforest.
Now, forest owners can use the new “averaging accounting” option and will no longer need to surrender NZ Units (NZUs) at clearfell provided they replant. Participants would instead receive fewer NZUs as their forest grows, up to a determined average level of long-term carbon storage. Doubtlessly, some will point to NZ’s less attractive state forestry supports compared with Ireland. However, NZ’s forest cover is 29% compared with Ireland’s 11%.
The continuation of NZUs after reforestation – albeit at a reduced rate until the forest matures – not only provides continuous earnings to forest owners who make the long-term commitment to forestry but in Ireland it would also make the replanting obligation more palatable.
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