Options for accounting carbon sequestration in German forests.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Climate Science
• Forestry Management

Background:

• The Accra climate change talks (August 2008) proposed forestry carbon sequestration accounting options for the post-2012 framework.
• Key proposals included gross-net and net-net accounting methods and baseline establishment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the implications of the Accra Accounting Options on German national greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting.
• To assess the impact of these options on Germany's status as a carbon source or sink.

Main Methods:

• Evaluation of German national GHG accounting using current sequestration rates (1990-2007).
• Projection of future emissions and removals under three distinct forest management scenarios until 2042.
• Analysis of how different Accra options affect the net GHG balance.

Main Results:

• Implementation of certain Accra options could significantly alter Germany's GHG balance.
• Some accounting approaches may shift forest management from a carbon sink to a source, or vice versa.
• The study provides an updated assessment of German forest sequestration rates and future projections.

Conclusions:

• The choice of accounting system has profound consequences for national GHG inventories.
• An effective accounting system must align with the primary objectives of the climate convention.
• National preferences should not supersede the overarching goals of international climate agreements.