Credits for carbon an illusion for most farm plantations

摘要

Recently, local radio reported on a conference about greenhouse gas emissions held at Lismore, NSW. The radio report discussed the possibility of local farmers obtaining credits for carbon stored in timber plantations they might establish on their farms. In particular, these plantations might be established to off-set future decreases in the value of the farmer's property. These decreases will occur because the property has the potential to produce greenhouse gases. One of the people interviewed stated that forest plantations might produce 50 tonnes of carbon a hectare a year. With carbon worth 40 dollar a tonne the potential gross annual income from such a plantation, because of carbon stored, would be 2000 dollar/ha/year. These figures made me sit up and take notice. I don't want to let the facts stand in the way of a good story, but such statements are a real concern to those people (mainly professional foresters) who for many years have been involved with the establishment of timber plantations in this country and involved with the possibility that credits might be obtained for carbon stored in such plantations. Enough exaggerated claims are being made about the production potential of forest plantations grown on farms without unrealistic values for carbon stored being added to them.