• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.1
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• pp.165-176
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• 2022

To raise awareness of carbon reduction in climate change, the Korea Forest Service has developed and adopted a forest carbon offset program, which aims to reduce carbon levels based on forest management. However, to maintain the forest carbon offset program, challenges such as the lack of a forest monitoring system to manage and maintain the program, must be faced. In this context, we investigated the limitations of conducting forest carbon offset programs using a number of interview techniques, including in-depth interview and questionnaire survey methods. The questionnaire surveys were developed based on the results of a literature review along with a preinterview and in-depth survey of the people in charge of the forest carbon offset program. The Irving Seidman technique was adopted for the in-depth interviews. Additionally, descriptive and frequency analyses were conducted to identify the characteristics of perception. Lastly, logistic regression was used to identify the limiting factors that affect the willingness to perform forest carbon offset monitoring activity. Results showed that the project managers or people in charge of the forest carbon offset program lacked expertise in forest carbon offset programs, which negatively affected their willingness to perform monitoring activity. Additionally, the study revealed a number of limiting factors that hindered the monitoring of forest carbon offset projects. Improving understanding using the approaches presented in this study may contribute to increasing the benefits associated with the forest carbon offset program in South Korea.

• 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 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.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.951-962
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• 2020

One hundred ninety-five countries reached agreement on a new climate treaty in Paris, France to reduce the carbon emissions. South Korea has been selected as a target country for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) obligations since 2020. In this context, the Korean government developed several GHG emissions reduction programs using forests called the "Forest carbon offset scheme (FCOS)." The forest management method is one of the tools to implement FCOS. Most of the participants registered forest management as the preferred methodology to participate in the FCOS. For a successful implementation of the FCOS, it is necessary to explore the optimal methods by considering the cost-effective aspect of conducting the forest management as a tool to increase carbon absorption. In this context, this study investigated the value optimized FCOS projects based on the forest management methodology in South Korea. Three forest management scenarios, 1) extending the final age of maturity of Pinus densiflora stands (S1), 2) extending the final age of maturity of Quercus acutissima stands (S2), and 3) reforestation with new species (Pinus densiflora to Quercus acutissima) (S3), were examined and evaluated to identify the optimal carbon absorption and value optimized economic perspective. The results of the scenario-based modelling indicated that S3 showed value optimized from an economical perspective, and S2 was the most effective method to absorb carbon among the scenarios. It is anticipated that this paper will contribute to provide valuable information by presenting innovative approaches as a value optimized FCOS implementing tool in a GHG reduction program in South Korea.

• 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.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.64-73
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• 2022

Increasing carbon and PM_2.5 concentrations have been emerging as serious environmental issues worldwide. The purpose of this study was to quantify carbon and PM_2.5 reduction by urban parks in Gangneung, Korea. A total of 35 parks were sampled by applying a random sampling method to survey tree planting structures and the areal distribution of land cover types of urban parks. These survey data and the Green Evaluation Technique (GET) computer program were used to estimate carbon and PM_2.5 reduction by trees. Mean tree density and cover in the study parks were 3.5±0.2 tree/100 m² and 44.5±3.0%, respectively. Annual carbon uptake and PM_2.5 deposition per unit area by trees averaged 2.8±0.2 t/ha/yr and 30.2±2.8 kg/ha/yr. Gangneung's urban parks annually offset the carbon emissions by 3.4% and the PM_2.5 emissions by 3.5%. Thus, urban parks played a significant role in reducing atmospheric carbon and PM_2.5 concentrations. Total annual carbon uptake and PM_2.5 deposition of urban parks in Gangneung were about 1,338.2 t/yr and 14,433.2 kg/yr. This study is expected to contribute to raising awareness of the role and importance of urban parks regarding carbon and PM_2.5 reduction.