California’s call to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 means new revenue for timber landowners willing to play the carbon offset market.
Speaking at the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference, in Anderson Steven Brink of the California Forestry Association said the Global Warming Solutions Act was an opportunity for the industry.
Under the Act, the state has identified more than 400 plants — oil refineries and cement manufacturers — that need to reduce their emissions. One way is by purchasing carbon allowances.
The forestry industry through land management would be able to sell carbon offsets. The landowners could register sequestered carbon from the management of their lands and then sell the credits on the open market, said Mr Brink.
In exchange for selling credits, the owner has to keep their land wooded for the next 100 years.
Small landowners were unlikely to take advantage of the scheme because of the costs of registering and participating in the programme and the requirement to lock up large swathes of land for the next century, said Mr Brink.
