The forest carbon sink and economic costs of implementation of the Kyoto protocol

The forest carbon sink is only one of the mechanisms recorded in the Kyoto Protocol to prevent the acceleration of the greenhouse effect. According to the Protocol, the carbon sink caused by afforestation and increased average volume of stands during the period 2008-2012 can be credited to substitute the reduction of GHG emissions. However, before carbon sinks can be used in exchange for GHG emissions, it is likely that the carbon sinks must be verified with internationally acceptable inventory calculations.

The impact of the Kyoto-Protocol compliant credited carbon sinks on national economy has been estimated using a global economy model. New Zealand will gain the biggest benefit from the sinks. Sweden, Canada and Japan will have considerable cost reductions, while in Finland the impact of credited sinks will be marginal. Credited forest sinks will only partially neutralise the economic burden caused by the Kyoto targets for different countries.