Carbon Sequestration
Environmental Concerns
An increasing number of people are becoming concerned with the environment. A particular area of interest is climate change, where carbon emissions have been implicated as a contributory factor.
The carbon produced by individuals as they go about their daily business is known as a carbon footprint. A typical carbon footprint for a UK family is 13.5 carbon tonnes (tC) per annum. This figure can increase significantly when above-average travel is undertaken, particularly air travel. One of the ways that individuals and organisations can offset the carbon they produce on a daily basis is by establishing a carbon sink in the form of a new woodland or forest.
Carbon sequestration through planting
The burning of fossil fuels releases fossil carbon that has been stored in the geosphere for millions of years, into the atmosphere. The carbon released in this way to date has not all been re-absorbed through natural processes, leaving a net balance or accumulation of carbon in the form of CO2 in the atmosphere. This accumulation is generally believed to contribute to global warming.
Forests play an important and dynamic role in the global carbon cycle and management of terrestrial carbon stocks is a significant part of international climate change strategy. Recent work shows that the combined contribution of deforestation and forest degradation accounts for about 15% of greenhouse gas emissions (Nature Geoscience: November2009). It is increasingly accepted that mitigation of global warming will not be achieved without the inclusion of forests in an international regime.
Converting unplanted land to new woodland has two benefits. Firstly, it creates a carbon sink, absorbing carbon emitted by the burning of fossil fuels. Even when mature trees are felled, the production of structural timber and furniture will lock up carbon for many years to come. Furthermore, the burning of any wood fuel produced from the new woodland is ‘carbon neutral’ i.e. the carbon released is no greater than that absorbed by the equivalent timber while it was growing.
Studies of carbon sequestration in the UK indicate that, over a 100 year period, a newly established hectare (2.47 acre) woodland of either oak or non-native conifer would absorb between 250 and 100 tonnes of carbon.
There are other environmental benefits that can be achieved by establishing woodland, particularly if it includes planting native tree species. Biodiversity can be promoted through the creation of a range of habitats suitable for a number of different species.
Expert woodland management and layout design, including the introduction of ponds, can further increase the biodiversity opportunities. These benefits can also be achieved within commercial woodlands, provided they are well planned and comply with sustainable forestry standards such as the United Kingdom Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS).
Sustainable woodland timber can be used to provide valuable resources such as timber, paper and importantly, energy resources, enabling us to reduce our reliance on imported timber and fossil fuels. They also remove the need for any use of timber harvested from virgin rainforests.
Fountains Forestry offers a comprehensive service in woodland establishment, from the inception and consultative stage through to the management and maintenance and disposal of the woodlands.
Our Services
- Working with our technical partners, we can calculate your individual or company ‘carbon footprint’;
- We will advise you on different options for offsetting this carbon impact through new planting. A possible range of locations and types of woodland can then be considered;
- Obtaining grants and carbon sequestration funding
- Planning of woodland to latest environmental standards;
- Full project management and implementation of the planting project;
- Ongoing management of woodland in order to maximise value and optimise tax protection.
Call: 01295 753233
for forest and land management, acquisition and brokerage services and environmental consultancy.
