Permanent Forest Sink Initiative Guidelines
Carbon assessment
Carbon Stock Assessment
The assessment of carbon stocks in a PFSI forest will be the basis for allocation of carbon units. Landowners will be eligible to earn units (or be liable for replacing units) due to assessed changes in carbon stocks in the forest sink areas. Carbon assessment is the process of estimating the amount of carbon stored within the live biomass of a tree (the trunk, branches, leaves and roots) and the dead biomass (the woody material and fine litter on the forest floor as well as the soil carbon).
The carbon assessment methodology for both the PFSI and the Emission Trading Scheme (Forestry) is currently under development. Once approved, the methodology will be set out in regulations and may be updated from time to time. The proposed methodology is based on the following principles:
• Carbon is to be assessed using either of two methods: by reference to standard look-up tables or by direct measurement.
• The use of either method will be governed by rules set out in regulation.
• Standard look-up tables or default carbon values will be available for all participants to enable them to claim units from 1 January 2009.
Participants with exotic forests will have the option of switching to a direct measurement of the carbon content of their forests once the methodology for this approach has been finalised and in regulation. It is expected that this will be available for claiming units by 1 January 2010.
• Participants who switch to a measurement approach can claim any additional units should the measurement exceed the units allocated from look-up tables but similarly must repay any excess units allocated to them if the measured figure is less than the amount eligible from look-up tables.
• A measurement methodology for indigenous forests is under consideration.
• A mandatory assessment of the net change in carbon stored in the participant’s forest over the first commitment period must be submitted at the end of that period (2012).
• Participants with exotic forests greater than 50 hectares in the scheme will be required to use the measurement approach for the mandatory assessment.
Further Guidance Material on Carbon Assessment and Sequestration Rates
Further details on the proposed carbon assessment methodology and the look-up tables are available in the draft forestry regulations for the Emissions Trading Scheme (Forestry).
MAF has commissioned a report from the forest research organisation Scion on indicative rates of carbon sequestration for forests in New Zealand.
Contact for Enquiries
Indigenous Forestry Unit
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
14 Sir William Pickering Drive
PO Box 20 280
Bishopdale
Christchurch 8053
NEW ZEALAND
Tel: 64 3 943 3700
Fax: 64 3 943 3701
Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park
99 Sala Street
PO Box 1340
Rotorua
NEW ZEALAND
Tel: 64 7 921 3400
Fax: 64 7 921 3402
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