Finland’s environment minister says it is “vital” for decision makers at the upcoming Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen to consider the carbon storage ability of forests.
Minister Paula Lehtomäki, speaking at the 27th Forest Academy for Decision-Makers on September 16, said forests would occupy a significant role in discussions on climate policy.
“For Finland, the manner in which the ability of forests to absorb carbon is taken into account in the next climate agreement is especially important,” she said.
“In scientific terms, Finnish forests are defined as a carbon sink. In climate negotiations calculation models have been considered that would turn Finnish forests into sources of carbon.”
She said one of the calculation methods unfavourable for Finland could be to compare the size of forested area to a designated baseline year.
