• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.369-375
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• 2017

In this study, it was intended to compare the two methodologies for forest management project through extension of rotation age: Korean Forest Carbon Offset Standard (KFOS) and Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). The amount of carbon removals and offset credits based on the two methodologies and their trends were analyzed in this study. The major difference between two methodologies were found at the process of estimation of baseline carbon removals. For instance, average carbon stock during the project period was used for estimation of baseline carbon removals in KFOS, while average carbon stock change during the 100 years was used in VCS. Due to the different approach for estimation of baseline carbon removal, the estimated offset credits were also different according to the two methodologies. In this study, 15 project scenarios were considered for comparison of two methodologies : 5 major coniferous stands in Korea (Pinus densiflora in Gangwon region, Pinus densiflora in Central region, Pinus koraiensis, Larix leptolepis, Chamaecyparis obtusa) with 3 project periods (30, 35, 40 years). The results showed that estimated carbon offset credits based on the KFOS methodology were higher for all 15 scenarios compared to those based on the VCS methodology. The KFOS showed a steep decline in the annual offset credit as project period gets longer, thus it is not desirable for projects with longer period. VCS is more acceptable for longer projects with a small difference according to the project periods. The results also indicated that Pinus densiflora in Gangwon, Pinus koraiensis, and Larix leptolepis are more desirable species for forest management project through the extension of ration age.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.453-460
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to analyze the potential quantity of Korean Offset Credits (KOC) resulting from Certified Emission Reductions (CER) in 98 domestic Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects that were registered with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as of the end of 2016. Our results show that the total amount of potential KOC is 62,774 kt CO2eq. The potential KOC is only 23.4% of the total CER Issuance. During the first phase, this will be 3.2% of the allocated volume. This is because many projects are related to Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), HFC-23, and adipic acid N2O. There is a strong bias in some sectors and projects which could act as market distortion factors. Therefore, it is necessary to expand the target CDM project and activate non CDM offset projects. RPS projects bring fundamental changes to the energy sector, and it is worth reconsidering their acceptability. A wide variety of policy incentives are needed to address strong biases toward certain sectors and projects. The offset scheme has the advantage of allowing entities to reduce their GHG emissions cost effectively through a market mechanism as well as enabling more entities to participate in GHG reduction efforts both directly and indirectly. In contrast, having an inadequate offset scheme range and size might decrease the effort on GHG reduction or concentrate available resources on specific projects. As such, it is of paramount importance to design and operate the offset scheme in such a way that it reflects the situation of the country.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.185-191
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• 2016

Since 2013, the forest carbon offest scheme is operated by 'ACT ON THE MANAGEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF CARBON SINK'. Most of projects account for afforestation, reforestation and restoration. This study analyzed what is affected to pricing factors for the registered 71 project of forest carbon offset in Korea Forest Service. The purpose of this study is to introduce information on the business plans of forest carbon offset scheme and aid to understand the process from registration to issuing offset credits. Also it is meaningful to proposing a policy for price competitiveness and how to enable forest carbon offset schemes to produce activation by measuring the factors that affect the forest carbon offset scheme. The results showed forest carbon credit price is 92,827 won per ton on average, it could see less price-competitive than emission rights market when compared with the price.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2012

Forests as carbon sinks and sources, play an important role in mitigating global climate change. Nonpermanence problem of forest carbon offset projects should be addressed practically and properly for obtaining credible forest carbon credits. This study aims to analyze major non-permanence approaches and their applicability for Korean forest carbon offset projects. Introduction of the buffer system, one of the most generally used non-permanence approaches, should be considered first for domestic forest carbon offset schemes. From the research survey, experts preferred the buffer system to other approaches such as forest certification, conservation easement, and longer conservation period. Standard development including a buffer system with a risk assessment tool is required to assure project participation and permanence of carbon credits.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.391-396
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• 2016

This study was intended to analyze the average abatement cost (AAC) of forest carbon offset projects to suggest a basic credit price for government purchase of forest carbon credits. For this purpose, an a/reforestation project and a forest management project were designed with 30 years of project period. It is assumed to plant pine trees (Pinus densiflora) for the a/reforestation project, while it is assumed to replace rigida pine trees(Pinus rigida) with oak trees (Quercus acutissima) for the forest management project. For each project, the forest carbon stock was calculated and the revenue and the cost were analyzed with standardized management activities. Korea Forest Service has supported private forest owners the cost of management activities and the consulting fee for designing carbon offset project. Therefore, the AAC were analyzed for two cases : the one with subsidy for consulting fee (case 1) and the other with subsidy for both consulting fee and management costs (case 2). In addition, the sensitiveness of AAC was analyzed according to the 4 credit prices : ￦5,000, ￦10,000, ￦15,000 and ￦20,000. The result showed that the AAC analyzed for the case 1 was so high that net revenue would not be expected from all project types with any credit price. However the AAC analyzed for the case 2 was relatively lower than the AAC of case 1. Net revenue was expected from a/reforestation project with credit price over ￦10,000, while from forest management project with credit price over ￦15,000. Based on the AAC analyzed in this study, ￦15,000 was suggested as the basic price for government purchase of forest carbon credit.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2016

To achieve large-scale carbon removals, a carbon offset project based on forest management was designed and its carbon stock change was estimated in this study. The project was designed for 874 hectares of forests in the Jin-An Leading Forest Management Zone. For estimating the carbon stock change of the project, the Korean Forest Carbon Standard and VCS (Verified Carbon Standard) methodologies were applied. Three types of management options were considered in the project : extension of rotation age, conversion to productive forests, and conversion to selective harvesting. The estimated carbon removals from the project designed in this study were $259,936tCO_2$ ($8,664tCO_2$ annually), which is 98% of estimated carbon removals from the entire 69 projects currently registered to the Forest Carbon Offset Registry in Korea. The results of this study showed that a large-scale carbon offset project based on forest management could have a huge potential to produce carbon offset credits.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.283-288
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• 2016

In this study, applicability of GHG ETS Offset Program in Korea for a refrigerant sector was analyzed by reviewing foreign management policy and project status in progress related to refrigerants in the disposal stage. In order to derive the implication of the domestic Offset Program, it was looked into approved offset projects and certified offset credits current state in Korea. Offset Program has approved 22 methodologies up to the present, so it is necessary to enhance the accessibility to GHG reduction in various industrial sector including the refrigerant sector by developing appropriate methodologies. In this study firstly, it was investigated that management regulation of countries are managing the refrigerants in the disposal stage such as United States, Japan, Australia. Secondly, of CDM methodologies there were two methodologies associated with the refrigerant reduction(treatment), which were decomposition HFC-23 and destruction of HFC-134a. Also there were a non-registered methodology about destruction of HFC-134a of end of life vehicles. Lastly, in California according to Compliance Offset Program, there was Compliance Offset Protocol in ODS Projects that provided eligible conditions. Based on the review, it was examined the possible conditions for domestic offset project for refrigerant sector

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.97-107
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• 2010

A forest project for the sequestration of carbon dioxide helps to reduce the concerntration of greenhouse gas in atmosphere and provides various co-benefits. A lot of forestry-based carbon offset programs have been developing for the purpose of CSR(Corporate Social Responsibility), voluntary GHG emission reduction, and regulatory context etc. in worldwide. We studied major characteristics - project type and criteria, additionality, credits, permanence, carbon accounting and monitoring, co-benefit - of advanced forest carbon offset programs. Also, we tried to comprehend the direction and basic elements to design a domestic program.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.478-485
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• 2022

The certification performance issued through an external business is sold to companies subject to the emission trading system allocation, and the company subject to the allocation can secure the quota by converting the purchased external business certification performance into offset credits. In this methodology, when fossil fuels that used existing oil boilers (by oil type) were replaced with boilers using propane gas with a relatively low carbon content, the amount of carbon dioxide emission reduction by oil type was recognized. As an initial analysis to make up for the insufficient quota of large corporations, the amount of carbon reduction emissions and emission rights trading was calculated.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.110 no.3
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• pp.440-452
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• 2021

This study identified and evaluated conditions for continued participation of private forest owners in forest carbon offset programs. The probability of continuing forest carbon offset projects, which delays greenhouse gas emissions by extending harvesting periods, increases with increasing price of carbon offset credits, public recognition of forest value, and education level. Willingness to Accept (WTA) was estimated using a Multiple Bounded Dichotomous Choice Question, which was 17,039 KRW/tCO₂ for extending age to 60 years, and 23,070 KRW/tCO₂ for 100 years. The following findings aim to promote participation and supply of carbon offset programs in private forests according to the study outcomes. First, introducing policies supporting private forest owners bearing opportunity costs for avoiding greenhouse gas emissions by postponing timber harvest is needed. Second, educational programs for private forest owners whose awareness of and interests in the public value of forest is necessary. Third, although having participated from the beginning of the offset program, finding ways to lead continuous participation of forest owners who are less likely to accept WTA is also necessary.