• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.4
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• pp.548-557
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• 2011

REDD is recognized as a cost-effective and the most appropriate way of managing global GHG emissions. It is negotiated in a global context under the UNFCCC. The main issues of the REDD mechanism are divided into two parts: 1) developing forest carbon verification and measurement system for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, 2) establishing an appropriate system of incentives for developing countries. REDD can provide stability in carbon offset credits. However, the most important task is to establish a clear legal framework and appropriate governance structures with relevant countries. There is a wide opportunities for Republic of Korea to take a lead in cutting off greenhouse gasses in the Post-Kyoto period.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.257-265
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• 2015

For estimating a net removal of carbon dioxides from a forest carbon offset project, it is necessary to consider secondary emissions occurred from the use of machineries or vehicles. According to the forest carbon standard in Korea, a default rate (5%) could be applied for estimating secondary emissions of small projects, which provide annual net removals less than or equal to $600tCO_2$, while secondary emissions should be estimated for larger projects with field survey. In this study, we intended to develop a methodology for estimating the secondary emission of a forest carbon project. For this purpose, we analyzed the working process and the carbon emissions of the forest management activities for major tree species in Korea. Based on the developed methodology, we estimated the secondary carbon emission of a reforestation project. The result showed that the secondary carbon emission of a reforestation project was estimated between 0.42% and 1.19 % compared to net removals, that is to say that the current default rate in the forest carbon standard could give an overestimated secondary emission.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.391-396
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• 2016

This study was intended to analyze the average abatement cost (AAC) of forest carbon offset projects to suggest a basic credit price for government purchase of forest carbon credits. For this purpose, an a/reforestation project and a forest management project were designed with 30 years of project period. It is assumed to plant pine trees (Pinus densiflora) for the a/reforestation project, while it is assumed to replace rigida pine trees(Pinus rigida) with oak trees (Quercus acutissima) for the forest management project. For each project, the forest carbon stock was calculated and the revenue and the cost were analyzed with standardized management activities. Korea Forest Service has supported private forest owners the cost of management activities and the consulting fee for designing carbon offset project. Therefore, the AAC were analyzed for two cases : the one with subsidy for consulting fee (case 1) and the other with subsidy for both consulting fee and management costs (case 2). In addition, the sensitiveness of AAC was analyzed according to the 4 credit prices : ￦5,000, ￦10,000, ￦15,000 and ￦20,000. The result showed that the AAC analyzed for the case 1 was so high that net revenue would not be expected from all project types with any credit price. However the AAC analyzed for the case 2 was relatively lower than the AAC of case 1. Net revenue was expected from a/reforestation project with credit price over ￦10,000, while from forest management project with credit price over ￦15,000. Based on the AAC analyzed in this study, ￦15,000 was suggested as the basic price for government purchase of forest carbon credit.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-30
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• 2009

Emission trading schemes, exemplified by the EU Emission Trading Scheme, have been playing active roles in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions since the Kyoto Protocol employed an emission trading as one of the cost-effective mechanisms. The objective of this study is to investigate potential integration of forestry offsets in designing an emission trading scheme in South Korea. First, the study found feasible scopes in which forestry sectors can take part by analyzing five emission trading schemes: EU Emission Trading Scheme, Chicago Climate Exchange, New South Wales Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme, New Zealand Emission Trading Scheme, and Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The rationale of including forestry offsets in a domestic emission trading scheme was derived from the fact that forestry offset credits can provide cost-effective ways for market participants to commit their emission targets and expand abatement activities through reducing greenhouse gases in other geographical locations as well as other industrial sectors. Even though forestry offset credits have risks induced by their technical complexities in terms of accounting, additionality, and leakage, the integration of forestry offset credits into an emission trading scheme would be able to provide positive opportunities both to forestry sectors and other industrial sectors. In addition, there are technical questions which need to be answered in order to maintain these opportunities.