About the Forest Carbon Counts Project
Forest Carbon Counts is a collaborative project of the Environmental Paper Network to advance scientifically based accounting of the climate impacts of harvesting and burning of forests for products and energy. The forest and paper industry is the largest user of bio-energy in the United States. The energy is almost entirely consumed in the production of virgin fiber products.
A critical carbon accounting error, recently identified by a number of researchers, is perpetuating the myth of the carbon-neutrality of burning forests for energy. This error threatens climate progress by creating incentives leading to the over-consumption of virgin forests for products and energy. The error inhibits the communication of clear climate impacts and choices to policy makers and consumers and inhibits the adoption of true low-carbon solutions, such as recycled products and forest conservation outlined in the EPN's Common Vision.
Currently the project is focused on the following initiatives:
- The Working Group on Forest Carbon Accounting in Products
- Monitoring U.S. Policy and Educating Decision Makers
- Tracking Carbon Accounting and Standards Setting Processes {available late 2011}
- Compiling Scientific Research and Advocacy Efforts
