Carbon Neutral or High Emitter? Canada and the Forest Carbon Loophole

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Canada’s Forest Carbon Emissions

This report was co-authored with Dr. Jay Malcolm, Professor Emeritus, Forestry at Daniels, University of Toronto.

Introduction

Our new study published in Frontiers in Forests and Global Change and profiled by CBC shows how Canada’s official report on forest carbon emissions mischaracterizes the impacts of the forestry sector. Other research has also suggested that globally, the problem of undercounted forestry emissions could be explained by conceptual differences in what countries count as part of the “anthropogenic” (or human-caused) forest carbon flux and the way countries report on their forest harvesting sectors. Our research supports this case in Canada and reveals that, more accurately depicted, forestry’s emissions have averaged 91 Mt between 2005 and 2021, rivaling those of other high-emitting sectors.

Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory Reports

According to Canada’s greenhouse gas inventory reports, energy, transportation, and agriculture are the country’s biggest emitters. The inventory reports depict forestry as a slight carbon sink, meaning it is reported as responsible for capturing more carbon than it emits. However, a closer look shows that forestry is not carbon neutral as the reporting would suggest – rather the opposite. Forestry appears to be carbon neutral in the national inventory due to conceptually problematic and inconsistent reporting practices.

Methodology and Findings

Using methods developed by our colleague, Dr. Matthew Bramley, our study looked at the data in Canada’s published National Inventory Report and Common Reporting Format tables, isolating emissions and removals directly associated with forestry from those associated with forests more broadly. At an average of 91 Mt annually between 2005 and 2021 (annual mean = 90.8 Mt CO2e), forestry emissions are actually much closer to those of the highest-emitting sectors in Canada (e.g., in 2021, agriculture emitted 69 Mt, electricity emitted 52 Mt, and oil sands production emitted 85 Mt).

The Discrepancy and Loopholes

The discrepancy between Canada’s figure and our study results stems from loopholes in disentangling the natural and anthropogenic (human-caused) processes that determine forest-related fluxes. Only anthropogenic fluxes are meant to be reported as part of the sector’s actual emissions.

Natural removals and emissions are those that nature causes, whether humans are involved or not. On the other hand, human-caused removals and emissions are those that are under our control. Forestry-related factors that affect CO2 emissions and removals include tree harvesting, post-harvest forest regeneration and growth, and carbon storage in long-lived harvested wood products.

The Managed Land Proxy

As a pragmatic solution for determining what should be reported as anthropogenic fluxes, the IPCC developed the “managed land proxy”. This examines all GHG fluxes occurring on land identified by the country as “managed land” and separates GHG emissions and removals from the “managed land” as “natural” or “anthropogenic” (see map below). However, this approach presents challenges.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
   • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into their national policies, strategies, and planning

2. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally
   • Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management
   • Indicator 15.2.2: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type

Analysis:

The article discusses how Canada’s official report on forest carbon emissions mischaracterizes the impacts of the forestry sector. It highlights the undercounting of forestry emissions and the conceptual differences in what countries count as part of the “anthropogenic” forest carbon flux. Based on this analysis, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

The article addresses the issue of mischaracterization of forestry emissions, which is relevant to SDG 13 on Climate Action. The target under this SDG that can be identified is:

• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

This target is relevant because the article highlights the need for more accurate reporting practices and consistent accounting of forestry emissions in Canada’s national inventory.

2. SDG 15: Life on Land

The article also discusses the impact of forestry on forests and the need for sustainable forest management. This is relevant to SDG 15 on Life on Land. The targets under this SDG that can be identified are:

• Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

This target is relevant because the article highlights the need for accurate reporting of forestry emissions and the importance of sustainable forest management to address climate change.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Fuente: nrdc.org

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