An analysis of forest-based projects funded through the sale of carbon credits shows that 10% of them may have a net warming effect on the climate because of the way they alter the Earth’s albedo, or how much sunlight is reflected back into space.
An analysis of forest-based projects funded through the sale of carbon credits shows that 10% of them may have a net warming effect on the climate because of the way they alter the Earth’s albedo, or how much sunlight is reflected back into space.
The study led by scientists in the Oregon State University College of Forestry also offers recommendations for how to avoid this unintended climate warming by incorporating albedo accounting into carbon crediting protocols. Additionally, the research indicates most projects come with comparatively minimal albedo consequences.
The collaboration, which included scientists at Clark University and The Nature Conservancy, used new, publicly available data to factor in albedo changes when determining the climate impact of afforestation, revegetation and reforestation projects, commonly abbreviated as ARR. Afforestation refers to establishing a forest where there previously wasn’t one.
Read More at: Oregon State University
