Carbon Sequestration Frequently Asked Questions Carbon Sequestration Registry Info
Georgia’s 24.7 million acres of forestland have long been recognized as an important
source of timber. Forest products are a $26 billion industry in our state, and the region’s
economy depends on our forests’ continued health and performance.
Globalization and urbanization, however, have changed the landscape. Competition
from overseas is impacting southern timber markets, at the same time that development
and its consequences are reaching deeper into rural areas. It is a critical time for land
owners to be fairly compensated for the forest resources and ecological services they provide.
What resources are we talking about? Certainly timber and its many by-products are
the primary resource generated by well managed forests. But increasingly, the ecological
services provided by forests are becoming recognized and given value.
What are ecological services? Ecological services are the natural benefits of a well managed
forest: water filtration, erosion control, wildlife habitats, and clean air.
How does a forest provide clean air? Actively growing forests remove carbon dioxide
(CO2), a by-product of burning fossil fuels, from the atmosphere. Trees store the carbon in wood
fiber, and release oxygen. When trees capture and store carbon in forest vegetation,
soil and forest products, it is called “Carbon Sequestration.”
Why is “Carbon Sequestration” so important? Scientists say the world’s atmospher-
ic carbon dioxide levels are increasing by about three billion metric tons every year. As air
pollution increases, so do the number of health problems for Georgians. Planting trees
and managing their development is a proven way to reduce the number of harmful
particulates in the air. Carbon Sequestration is also an emerging market opportunity for
southern forest owners as they seek reasonable returns for the ecological services they provide.
How much carbon can southern forests process? Actively managed southern pine
plantations sequester from one to four tons of carbon, per acre, per year. Annually, Georgia's
forests offset approximately 8% of our state's carbon dioxide emissions.
How could a landowner realize value for Carbon Sequestration? The sale of
“carbon credits” could provide a new opportunity for income on a regular, ongoing basis.
Systems that match emission-dependent companies with tree growers have been
developed in Georgia, California, Maine, Oregon, and in other parts of the world.
Companies such as utilities cost-share tree planting or reforestation in exchange for
“carbon credits,” and transactions are recorded in a Carbon Registry. A national
protocol for establishing such a registry does not yet exist.
What’s happening in Georgia to encourage Carbon Sequestration? The Georgia
Forestry Commission and the University of Georgia have defined a Carbon Registry
protocol for Georgia and developed an online carbon sequestration registry to list and
track forestry projects that are managed to sequester carbon.
Why is this important? By developing a carbon sequestration registry Georgia landowners
will have the opportunity to certify that their forests meet specific standards required by those
companies wishing to purchase carbon credits. The Registry will also list potential carbon credit
markets and encourage those persons representing the market to contact Georiga forest owners
regarding potential carbon credit transactions. Furthermore, forest growth will be encouraged and
significant steps taken to protect Georgia's environment.
Resources
Carbon Sequestration - A Georgia Fact Sheet - pdf - (Dangerfield et. al. January 2004. CFB #13, UGA )
Senate Bill 356 - Carbon Sequestration Registry Act - 2004 Legislation
