How is the CDM relevant to the land use sector?



1 What is the Clean Development Mechanism?
1 What is the Clean Development Mechanism?

How is the CDM relevant to the land use sector?

Rising atmospheric levels of CO2 are the main driver of climate change. Figure 1 below illustrates the global carbon budget. The boxes show the stocks of carbon held in different parts of the earth and atmosphere. The arrows indicate the annual flows of carbon between the main components. The largest flows between oceans, forests and the atmosphere occur naturally.

		But emissions from burning fossil fuels and producing cement upset the natural balance and increase CO2 in the atmosphere - leading to climate instability. People's impacts on forests and soils are also a key factor, with almost 25% of annual emissions of CO2 resulting from forest clearance. However, tree planting or regeneration of forest ecosystems removes CO2 from the atmosphere as vegetation grows; a process referred to as 'carbon sequestration'. (Around 50% of the dry weight of woody vegetation is carbon.) Soil management is also key, as soils contain substantially more carbon than is contained in the atmosphere. Different land use activities will therefore have different impacts on the carbon balance: some may result in net sequestration and others in net emissions.

Figure 1: Carbon stocks are presented in Gt and carbon Gty-1

The role of forestry in meeting the objectives of the Climate Change Convention has been contentious throughout the negotiations. Although it is recognised that land use is integral to the carbon cycle there is a diversity of opinions on its exact role in meeting emission reduction targets - How did current rules evolve? A decision was made in Bonn, in July 2001, to include afforestation and reforestation as the only eligible land use activities in the CDM. These may be large or small-scale, single or multiple species, pure forestry or on farm systems (illustrated below in Figure 2), such as: Establishment of woodlots on communal lands. Reforestation of marginal areas with native species e.g. riverine areas, steep slopes, around and between existing forest fragments (through planting and natural regeneration).
				Figure 2: Eligible land use activities in the CDM. With an estimate for their potential for generating carbon offsets (In tonnes of carbon per hecture, tC/ha)

New, large-scale, industrial plantations. Establishment of biomass plantations for energy production and the substitution of fossil fuels. Small-scale plantations by landowners. Introduction of trees into existing agricultural systems (agroforestry). Rehabilitation of degraded areas through tree planting or assisted natural regeneration.

What could I get out of the CDM?

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