The debate on the role of forestry in climate change mitigation began in earnest prior to the Kyoto Protocol two decades ago. Countries such as Denmark, Austria, Sweden and Finland have highlighted wood biomass as a key renewable fuel in energy security and climate change.
Climate change mitigation has been identified as an opportunity for forestry in Ireland through the increased contribution of forest-based biomass, carbon sequestration and wood products use, according to a spokesperson at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. “Forests’ contribution to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration and the use of wood products form an important element of the national climate change strategy,” he said.
“It is estimated that, after taking harvest and wood use into account, forests established since 1990 will remove from the atmosphere a net 3.4m tonnes in 2015. By 2025, the rate of removal is projected to be in the region of 4.7m tonnes.”
There are three areas where Ireland’s forests can assist in climate change mitigation:
Removal of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Recent projections show 4.5m tonnes per annum of carbon dioxide will be removed annually from the atmosphere by post 1990 forests over the period from 2021 to 2030.Provision of renewable fuels and raw materials. Climate change mitigation occurs when forest-based biomass replaces fossil fuels for heating or power generation.Use of timber in construction. Wood replaces more energy-intensive materials and stores carbon for extended periods of time until it is eventually released back into the atmosphere.“Afforestation not only supports Ireland’s approach to land-based climate change mitigation but also helps to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and supports the transition to a low carbon economy,” the spokesperson said. “It is estimated that over a million cubic metres or one third of the annual harvest, is used for energy purposes,” he claimed. “So, while dealing with climate change is a global challenge, those who invest in the development of forestry can and do make a difference.”
Retaining and expanding forest cover are important aspects of Ireland’s forest policy. The current forestry programme supports and facilitates Irish efforts in relation to climate change mitigation. These include a broad range of afforestation, native woodland, agro-forestry and other schemes. Support measures for thinning and forest road building also help to mobilise forestry biomass for heat and power.
“The new planting of forests is a viable land use enterprise, representing a 15-year income stream from forest premiums and income in the longer term from the harvesting of the eventual timber crop,” he said. “Forests, however, also represent a living legacy to future generations, both physically and in terms of the ongoing role they play in relation to the environment and climate change,” the spokesperson said.
The debate on the role of forestry in climate change mitigation began in earnest prior to the Kyoto Protocol two decades ago. Countries such as Denmark, Austria, Sweden and Finland have highlighted wood biomass as a key renewable fuel in energy security and climate change.
Climate change mitigation has been identified as an opportunity for forestry in Ireland through the increased contribution of forest-based biomass, carbon sequestration and wood products use, according to a spokesperson at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. “Forests’ contribution to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration and the use of wood products form an important element of the national climate change strategy,” he said.
“It is estimated that, after taking harvest and wood use into account, forests established since 1990 will remove from the atmosphere a net 3.4m tonnes in 2015. By 2025, the rate of removal is projected to be in the region of 4.7m tonnes.”
There are three areas where Ireland’s forests can assist in climate change mitigation:
Removal of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Recent projections show 4.5m tonnes per annum of carbon dioxide will be removed annually from the atmosphere by post 1990 forests over the period from 2021 to 2030.Provision of renewable fuels and raw materials. Climate change mitigation occurs when forest-based biomass replaces fossil fuels for heating or power generation.Use of timber in construction. Wood replaces more energy-intensive materials and stores carbon for extended periods of time until it is eventually released back into the atmosphere.“Afforestation not only supports Ireland’s approach to land-based climate change mitigation but also helps to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and supports the transition to a low carbon economy,” the spokesperson said. “It is estimated that over a million cubic metres or one third of the annual harvest, is used for energy purposes,” he claimed. “So, while dealing with climate change is a global challenge, those who invest in the development of forestry can and do make a difference.”
Retaining and expanding forest cover are important aspects of Ireland’s forest policy. The current forestry programme supports and facilitates Irish efforts in relation to climate change mitigation. These include a broad range of afforestation, native woodland, agro-forestry and other schemes. Support measures for thinning and forest road building also help to mobilise forestry biomass for heat and power.
“The new planting of forests is a viable land use enterprise, representing a 15-year income stream from forest premiums and income in the longer term from the harvesting of the eventual timber crop,” he said. “Forests, however, also represent a living legacy to future generations, both physically and in terms of the ongoing role they play in relation to the environment and climate change,” the spokesperson said.
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