Based on this compelling scientific evidence, 163 countries, including the United States, developed the Kyoto Protocol to the Framework Convention on Climate Change, which sets goals for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The Protocol recognizes that forests play a key role in global warming, since they are both sources and sinks of carbon dioxide emissions. In fact, forest loss to agriculture or development, along with overharvesting, have made forests the second largest source of CO2. However, as Article 2 of the Protocol states, when existing forests are conserved and sustainably managed, or cut-over forests are replanted, they become effective long-term sinks.

Conservation, good forest management
help reduce the threat of global warming

Forest carbon "flux," or change, in U.S. carbon stores can be precisely measured. Researchers have identified the forests of the U.S. Pacific Northwest -- especially coastal redwoods and Douglas-firs — to have the most capacity for increased carbon sequestration of any in the world.

A pragmatic and economical place to start restoring the balance of our global carbon cycle is in our forests. With good stewardship, forests will continue to provide not only carbon sequestration, but wood products and many other benefits, such as fish and wildlife habitat, biodiversity, clean water and recreation opportunities. Without good forest stewardship, we may lose the carbon battle -- and with it, most of the benefits our forests provide.

A new market in forest carbon
to provide revenue to landowners

The capacity of forests to become enhanced carbon sinks can bring added revenue to landowners through the emerging market in forest carbon credits. A well-organized forest carbon market can provide a financial incentive for landowners to permanently conserve more forests and practice the type of management that results in carbon-rich forests.

In this market, forest owners committed to increasing carbon stores can sell these gains to entities seeking to offset carbon dioxide emissions. The Pacific Forest Trust recently completed the first transaction in this emerging market through our Forest Climate Program when it sold forest carbon credits to Green Mountain Energy Company.

By using existing scientific forest measurement tools, and ensuring that forest carbon projects yield permanent gains by securing them through conservation easements , forest carbon sequestration projects can be verifiable, enforceable, and provide carbon stores clearly additional to those that would have accrued otherwise.

A sound policy framework for forests and carbon in the United States

PFT has been working with policy-makers, forest owners and carbon producers such as utilities since 1994 to develop the best policies to promote forests as a secure means to mitigate global warming. Toward this end, PFT has developed a set of proposed rules for recognition of carbon credits, which it advocated at the recent climate change treaty negotiation in the Hague, Netherlands.

PFT has published Forest Carbon in the United States: Opportunities and Options for Private Lands, written by leading forest scientists. This report details how forests can best be managed to increase carbon stores. It also discusses the importance of establishing consistent standards for the accounting of forest carbon change, including credits and debits, which will allow the forest carbon market to function more smoothly for buyers and sellers. This will benefit the public by increasing net forest carbon stores and encouraging forest restoration and conservation.