• Title/Summary/Keyword: forest carbon offset projects

Search Result 13, Processing Time 0.027 seconds

Development of the Forest Carbon Sink Index on Afforestation and Reforestation Activities (신규조림·재조림 활동의 산림탄소흡수원 지수 개발)

  • Song, Minkyung;Bae, Jae Soo;Seol, Mi Hyun
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
    • /
    • v.103 no.1
    • /
    • pp.137-146
    • /
    • 2014
  • We have developed the Forest Carbon Sink Index on afforestation and reforestation activities, a regulation stated in article 26 of the 'Law on the maintenance and enhancement of carbon sink (Carbon Sink Law)', which took effect on March, 2013. According to the legal purpose to evaluate the performance of individual forest carbon offset projects and to compare each other at a certain point, values of the forest carbon sink index were calculated by the scoring method. Three criteria were established based on the Carbon Sink Law: 'Carbon' (real greenhouse gas reduction), 'Human' (socio-economic effect) and 'Nature' (environmental effect). Continuously, 9 indicators from the three criteria were selected by top-down approach; the adequacy of each criteria and indicators were reviewed through on-line Delphi survey; and finally weighted value of each criteria and indicators were assigned. To reflect the characteristics of the domestic forest carbon offset projects, which focus on corporate social responsibility-typed projects, we applied the score weighting method to minimize gaps among criteria and ones among indicators. After applying our newly developed forest carbon sink index to five domestic forest carbon offset projects, we could confirm that the criteria of 'Human' and 'Nature', which criteria are in relatively low weight, can play a role as an actual incentive to reduce negative socio-economic and environmental impacts. Based on performance evaluation of the five forest carbon offset project by the forest carbon sink index, the best or good performance project developers could be rewarded, and further the performance evaluation would work as an incentive to stimulate the involvement of domestic project developers in the field of forest carbon offset project.

Estimation of Secondary Emissions from Forest Carbon Offset Projects (산림탄소상쇄 사업에 따른 이차적 배출량 산정에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Young-hwan
    • Journal of Climate Change Research
    • /
    • v.6 no.4
    • /
    • pp.257-265
    • /
    • 2015
  • For estimating a net removal of carbon dioxides from a forest carbon offset project, it is necessary to consider secondary emissions occurred from the use of machineries or vehicles. According to the forest carbon standard in Korea, a default rate (5%) could be applied for estimating secondary emissions of small projects, which provide annual net removals less than or equal to $600tCO_2$, while secondary emissions should be estimated for larger projects with field survey. In this study, we intended to develop a methodology for estimating the secondary emission of a forest carbon project. For this purpose, we analyzed the working process and the carbon emissions of the forest management activities for major tree species in Korea. Based on the developed methodology, we estimated the secondary carbon emission of a reforestation project. The result showed that the secondary carbon emission of a reforestation project was estimated between 0.42% and 1.19 % compared to net removals, that is to say that the current default rate in the forest carbon standard could give an overestimated secondary emission.

Analysis of Forest Carbon Offset Credits from Forest Management Project based on to the Korean Forest Carbon Offset Standard and the VCS Methodology - Case Study on the Methodology for Forest Management through Extension of Rotation Age - (국내 산림탄소상쇄 운영표준 및 VCS 방법론에 따른 산림경영 사업의 산림탄소흡수량 차이 분석 - 벌기령 연장 사업 방법론을 중심으로 -)

  • Kim, Young-hwan
    • Journal of Climate Change Research
    • /
    • v.8 no.4
    • /
    • pp.369-375
    • /
    • 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.

Developing a Large-scale Carbon Offset Project Based on Forest Management - In Case of Jin-An Leading Forest Management Zone - (산림탄소상쇄 사업의 흡수량 증대를 위한 대규모 산림경영형 사업모델 개발에 관한 연구 - 진안군 선도 산림경영단지를 중심으로 -)

  • Kim, Young-hwan
    • Journal of Climate Change Research
    • /
    • v.7 no.2
    • /
    • pp.137-142
    • /
    • 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.

Analysis of Forestry Carbon Offset Credits Using Project Design Documents (산림탄소상쇄 사업계획서를 이용한 산림탄소 배출권 분석)

  • Park, Jin Taek;Cho, Yongsung;Jang, Jin Koo
    • Journal of Climate Change Research
    • /
    • v.7 no.2
    • /
    • pp.185-191
    • /
    • 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.

Research on the Solution of Non-permanence Problem of Forest Carbon Offset Project Focused on the Introduction of Buffer System (산림 탄소상쇄 사업의 비영속성 처리 방안 -버퍼 제도의 도입을 중심으로-)

  • Cha, Junhee;Lee, Jong-Hak;Han, Kijoo;Bae, Jae Soo;Seol, Mihyun;Joo, Rin-Won
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
    • /
    • v.101 no.1
    • /
    • pp.83-90
    • /
    • 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.

Analysis of the Average Abatement Cost of Forest Carbon Offset Projects for the Government Purchase of Forest Carbon Credits (산림탄소흡수량 정부구매를 위한 산림탄소상쇄 사업의 평균저감비용 분석)

  • Kim, Young-hwan
    • Journal of Climate Change Research
    • /
    • v.7 no.4
    • /
    • pp.391-396
    • /
    • 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.

Investigation of Korean Forest Carbon Offset Program : Current Status and Cognition of Program Participants (산림탄소상쇄제도의 사업참여자 인식 및 현황 분석)

  • Sa, Yejin;Woo, Heesung;Kim, Joonsoon
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
    • /
    • v.111 no.1
    • /
    • pp.165-176
    • /
    • 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.

Investigating the value optimized forest carbon offset projects based on forest management scenarios in South Korea

  • Woo, Heesung;Park, Joowon;Park, Soo-Kyoo
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
    • /
    • v.47 no.4
    • /
    • pp.951-962
    • /
    • 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.

A Study on Conditions for Facilitating Forest Carbon Projects for Greenhouse Gas Reduction: A Forest Management Project Case with E xtended Rotation Age in Private Forests (온실가스 감축을 위한 산림탄소사업의 이행 가능 요건에 관한 연구: 사유림 벌기령 연장형 산림경영사업을 중심으로)

  • Park, Minyoung;YOUN, Yeo-Chang
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
    • /
    • v.110 no.3
    • /
    • pp.440-452
    • /
    • 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.