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WOODCARB

 

Carbon stocks and stock changes in harvested wood products

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PROJECT TEAM
Dr Kenneth A. Byrne, University of Limerick*
Jennifer Donlan, University of Limerick

* Email: ken.byrne@ul.ie

COMPLETION DATE: May 2010

BACKGROUND
Wood products are an important store of carbon. The Kyoto Protocol allows C sequestration in forests to be used to offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Currently, the C stored in wood is regarded as oxidised at the time of harvest. Carbon in Harvested Wood Products (HWP), however, will likely play a role in 'second commitment period' climate change rules (beyond 2012). The results of this project will contribute to the assessment of the role of forests and HWP to Ireland's GHG reporting commitments.

OBJECTIVES

  • Conduct literature review.
  • Collect data about timber production, wood processing and HWP import and export statistics.
  • Develop a national C accounting model for HWP.
  • Use the model developed to analyse the impacts of the production accounting approach and to carry out an uncertainty assessment using Monte Carlo Analysis.
  • Develop national estimates for the service lives of the main HWPs used in Ireland.
  • Incorporate lifecycle data in the HWP accounting model.
  • Prepare final report.

    PROGRESS
    The literature and model reviews have been conducted. Sources for data have been identified. Data collection and construction of database has begun. Additional data needs will be identified as the model is developed.
    Several stakeholder meetings were held. A scoping meeting was held at COFORD in July 2009. Eugene Hendrick, Kevin Black, Alistair Pfeiffer and the WoodCarb project team were present. Contacts with Kim Pingoud (VTT, Finland), Sebastian Rueter (vTI, Germany) and Henry Phillips have been established. Meetings with Eoin O'Driscoll (DRIMA Marketing) and Kenneth Skog (FPL, USA) (via telephone) have also been held. In addition to these meetings, the following events were attended:
  • International Conference on Carbon Storage in Wood Products, Wood in Sustainable Development CEI-Bois Roadmap 2010, 1 September 2009, Brussels.
  • L.U.C.A.S. Land Use and Carbon Analysis System of New Zealand, Seminar by Peter Stephens, 14 September 2009, Dublin.
  • GIS tools for Private Sector Roundwood Forecasting, COFORD Workshop, 29 September 2009, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
  • Microsoft Office Excel 2003 Expert Skills, Training, 23 September 2009, University of Limerick, Co Limerick.
  • Networking and Presentation Skills, Training, 1 October 2009, University of Limerick, Co Limerick.

    ACTIVITIES PLANNED
  • Complete literature review.
  • Develop and test the model.
  • Present work at conferences.
  • Submit manuscript to scientific journal.
  • Develop national estimates for the service lives of HWP.
  • Incorporate lifecycle data into model.
  • Prepare final report.