Economics of Forest Ecosystem Carbon Sinks: A Review

Gerrit van Kooten and Brent Sohngen

No 2007-02, Working Papers from University of Victoria, Department of Economics, Resource Economics and Policy Analysis Research Group

Abstract: Carbon terrestrial sinks are seen as a low-cost alternative to fuel switching and reduced fossil fuel use for lowering atmospheric CO2. In this study, we review issues related to the use of terrestrial forestry activities to create CO2 offset credits. To gain a deeper understanding of the confusing empirical studies of forest projects to create carbon credits under Kyoto, we employ meta-regression analysis to analyze conditions under which forest activities generate CO2-emission reduction offsets at competitive ‘prices’. In particular, we examine 68 studies of the costs of creating carbon offsets using forestry. Baseline estimates of costs of sequestering carbon are some US$3–$280 per tCO2, indicating that the costs of creating CO2-emission offset credits through forestry activities vary wildly. Intensive plantations in the tropics could potentially yield positive benefits to society, but in Europe similar projects could cost as much as $195/tCO2. Indeed, Europe is the highest cost region, with costs in the range of $50-$280 per tCO2. This might explain why Europe has generally opposed biological sinks as a substitute for emissions reductions, while countries rush to finance forestry sector CDM projects. In Canada and the U.S., carbon sequestration costs range from a low of about $2 to nearly $80 per tCO2. One conclusion is obvious: some forestry projects to sequester carbon are worthwhile undertaking, but certainly not all.

Keywords: climate change; Kyoto Protocol; meta-regression analysis; carbon-uptake costs; forest sinks (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C19 H43 Q2 Q25 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 53 pages
Date: 2007-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr, nep-ene, nep-env and nep-ppm
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (25)

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https://web.uvic.ca/~repa/publications/REPA%20work ... kingPaper2007-02.pdf Final version, 2007 (application/pdf)

Related works:
Journal Article: Economics of Forest Ecosystem Carbon Sinks: A Review (2007)
Working Paper: Economics of Forest Ecosystem Carbon Sinks: A Review (2007)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:rep:wpaper:2007-02

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