Summary
This commentary by Leifeld addresses a central tension in carbon farming: the apparent conflict between the non-permanence of terrestrial carbon sinks and their genuine climate mitigation potential. Rather than dismissing non-permanent sinks as valueless, the author argues that their beneficial climate effects are real and quantifiable, and proposes ex ante biophysical discounting as a framework to enhance the trustworthiness of carbon farming schemes within voluntary carbon markets.
UK applicability
The findings are applicable to UK agricultural policy and voluntary carbon certification schemes, particularly as the UK develops its regulatory framework for carbon farming and natural capital markets. The methodology for quantifying climate benefits of non-permanent sinks could strengthen UK carbon accounting standards in agriculture and forestry.
Key measures
Climate benefit quantification of short-lived carbon sinks; ex ante biophysical discounting methodology
Outcomes reported
The paper discusses and quantifies the climate benefits of non-permanent terrestrial carbon sinks in agriculture and forestry, addressing criticisms that carbon certificates lack mitigation value due to their temporary nature. It proposes ex ante biophysical discounting as a framework to improve the credibility of carbon farming certification.
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