Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Storage and Sequestration of Land Cover in the Leyte Geothermal Reservation

Lasco, R.D., J.S. Lales, M.T. Arnuevo, I.Q. Guillermo, A.C. de Jesus, R. Medrano, O. F. Bajar and C.V. Mendoza.  2002.  J of Renewable Energy 25:307-315.

This study estimated the existing stored carbon (C) and rate of sequestration by vegetation that can potentially serve as a sink for the carbon dioxide emitted from eight geothermal plants in Leyte Geothermal Reservation, Philippines.  For the 20,438 ha watershed in the vicinity of the power project, the total C storage is 3.84 Mt C (14.10 Mt CO2) while C sequestration based on biomass change was 47.35 kt C (173.77 CO2).  Relative to power plant emission, the C stored in the reserve is equivalent to more than 22 years of CO2 emission.  Annual C sequestration is 27% of CO2 emission per year.  For the next 25 years, two scenarios were projected.  Under Scenario I ("Business as Usual"), the forest reserve will be able to store and sequester more than 32 years of CO2 emission from the power plants.  Under Scenario II ("Accelerated Reforestation"), the reserve will be able to store and sequester about 34 years of CO2 emission.

In addition, the rate of C sequestration based on biomass change in vegetation was recorded to assess the optimum land use that can absorb the carbon emitted by the power project.  These are as follows: tree plantations (10.09 tC/ha/yr) > 

Climate Change Mitigation Activities in the Philippine Forestry Sector:  Application of the COMAP Model

Lasco, R.D. and F.B. Pulhin.  2001.  J of Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 6:313-334.

The forest sector in the Philippines has the potential to be a major sink for carbon (C).  The present study was conducted to evaluate potential forestry mitigation options in the Philippines using the Comprehensive Mitigation Assessment Process (COMAP) model.  The baseline scenario assumes that current trends continue up to the year 2030 ('business-as-usual', BAU).  Two mitigation scenarios were evaluated: high scenario (HS) and low scenario (LS).  The former is patterned largely from the government's forest master plan while the latter assumes a 50% lower success rate of the masterplan.  The results of the analyses show that b 2030, the total C stock of the Philippine forest sector in the baseline scenario decreases to 814 x 10⁶ Mg C, down by 37% compared to the 1990 level.  The C stocks of the HS nad LS mitigation scenarios were 22% and 18% higher than the BAU, respectively.  Of the mitigation options assessed, long rotation plantations and forest protection activities produce the greatest C gain (199 and 104 x  10⁶ Mg, respectively under HS).  The not present value (NPV) of benefits is highest in the bioenergy option with $24.48 per MG C (excluding opportunity costs) bioenergy.  The study also estimated potential investments needed under the mitigation scenarios.  The investment issues and decisions that may be useful for the Philippines to evaluate LULUCF mitigation  options under the UNFCCC Kyoto , are identified and discussed.

Disturbing Climate LUCF in the Philippines: Climate Change Impacts and Mitigation

Rodel D. Lasco and Florencia B. Pulhin  (2001)

Most of the current scientific and political debates that rage on the climate front are focused on how we as, a global community, are to exercise that responsibility for a changing climate in the 21st century. The Philippines is by all means actively engage in this global endeavor. This book documents that engage in the collection of essays that can very well mark the beginning of the Philippines response to the complex issue of climate change.

Mitigating climate change through forestry options in the Philippines

Lasco, R.D. and F. B. Pulhin.  1999.  In: Proc. Of the International Conference on Tropical Forests and Climate Change, CFNR, UPLB, Philippines.

Climate change is one of the most critical environmental threats mankind has ever faced. Tropical forests play a crucial role in the climate change problem as important sources and sinks of carbon.

 The first part of the paper summarizes the various ways by which tropical forests could serve as sink of carbon through conservation and expansion of sinks and substitution of wood products for fossil fuels.

The second part presents an estimate of the potential contribution of Philippine forest lands in storing and sequestering carbon. The 15.88 M ha of forest lands were divided into six major land uses: old-growth/protected forests, second growth forests, brushlands, grasslands, tree plantations and agroforestry farms. In general, forest lands store 884 M tons C distributed in the following order: protected forests > second growth forests > agroforestry farms > brushlands > tree plantations. They can also sequester 28.4 M tons C per year in the following order: agroforestry farms > brushlands > protected forests > tree plantations > grasslands > second-growth forests. This is equivalent to about 80% of total Philippine emissions from all sources.

The third part of the paper explores practical strategies for mitigating C through forestry inventions. These include: C-offset projects, reforestation by private groups, and urban forestry.  The last part of the paper deals with the implications of the Kyoto Protocol to tropical forestry. Opportunities and threats are presented.

Adaptation and Mitigation Measures for Climate Change: Impacts on the Forestry Sector

Cruz, R.V.O. 1998.  In: Proceedings of the Consultation Meeting for the International Conference on Tropical Forests and Climate Change: Status, Issues and Challenges. Sponsored by University of the Philippines Los Baños, Integrated Environmental Management for Sustainable Development - Department of Environment and Natural Resources, United Nations Development Programme. November 25, 1997. Makati, Philippines.

In broad terms, the forest greatly influence the carbon dioxide (CO2).  Through photosynthesis, forests can absorb and store CO2 away from the atmosphere.  However, through deforestation the vast amount of carbon tied up in plant tissues and the soil may be released back to the atmosphere.  In spite of the absence of an accurate prediction on the effecs of greenhouse gases, it is commonly believed that an elevated atmospheric CO2 will lead to global warming that can trigger off a wide range of climate change globally.

This paper will present a menu of options that could best adapt to and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and at the same time take advantage of the opportunities under altered climate scenario.

Forest Land Use Change in the Philippines and Climate Change Mitigation

Lasco, R.D. and F.B. Pulhin.  1998.  Paper presented at the GCTE-LUCC Open Science Conference on Global Change.  16 March 1998.  Barcelona, Spain.

Tropical forests in countries like the Philippines are important sources and sinks of carbon (C).  The paper analyzes the contribution of Philippine forests in climate change mitigation.  Since the 1500s, deforestation of 20.9 M ha (10⁶ ha) of Philippine forests contributed 3.7 Pg (10¹⁵ g) of C to the atmosphere of which 2.6 Pg were released this century.  At present, forest land uses store 1091 Tg (10¹² g) of C and sequester 30.5 Tg C/yr while releasing 11.4 Tg C/yr through deforestation and harvesting.  In the year 2015, it is expected that the total C storage will decline by 8% (1005 Tg) and total rate of C sequestration will increase by 17% (35.5 Tg/yr).  This trend is due to the decline in natural forest area accompanied by an increase in tree plantation area.  We have shown that uncertainty in national C estimates still exists because they are readily affected by the source of biomass and C density data.  Philippine forests can act as C sink by: conserving existing C sinks, expanding C stocks, and substituting wood products for fossil fuels.  Here we analyze the possible implications of the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol to Philippine forests.  Finally, we present current research and development efforts on tropical forests and climate change in the Philippines to improve assessments of their role in the nations C budgets.

Impacts of Climate Change on Tropical Forest Ecosystems

Cruz, R.V.O. 1998. In: Proceedings of the Consultation Meeting for the International Conference on Tropical Forests and Climate Change: Status, Issues and Challenges. Sponsored by University of the Philippines Los Baños, Integrated Environmental Management for Sustainable Development - Department of Environment and Natural Resources, United Nations Development Programme. November 25, 1997. Makati, Philippines.

This paper focuses on the relationship between global climate and tropical forests.  Specifically, the paper identifies the major systems and sectors of tropical forestry which are most sensitive to projected climate changes, presents a summary of the current knowledge on the potential impacts of climate changes on forestry and vice versa, and considers some possible measures and adjustments which can be made to cope with the expected shifts in climate and the forest ecosystem.

Management of Philippine Tropical Forests:  Implications to Global Warming

Lasco, R.D.  1998.  World Resource Review 10:410-418.

Since the 1900, the Philippines has lost 15.7 M ha. of tropical forests.  This is equivalent to a loss of 2.7 billion tons of C. Four major management strategies could be identified in the Philippines: (a) preservation of all old-growth forests; (b) second growth forests for forest products; (c) rehabilitation of degraded lands through reforestation and tree farming; and (d) stabilization of upland farms through agroforestry.

In general, 2.7 M ha. of preserved forests contain 307 million tons of C and sequester 4.1 M tons annually.  Second-growth production forests (2.9 M ha.) harbor 253 M tons of C and but loses 1 M tons a year.  Harvesting and deforestation are the main pathways of C loss.

Tree plantations cover 0.6 M ha. which contain 25 M tons of C.  Additionally, they can sequester about 2.6 M tons C annually.  Estimates are given for the carbon-sequestering ability of two commonly use species.  Agroforestry farms contain 13 M tons of C in a 0.6 M ha. area.  they could sequester 1.4 M tons C per year.  The total C budget of Philippines forests revealed that they are able to sequester about 33-42% of total CO2 emissions of the country.

The last part of the paper presents policy recommendations and possible courses of action by the government to maximize the role of forest lands in the mitigation of global warming.  Private sector participation in a C-offset program is explored.

The Role of Philippine Forests in Mitigating Climate Change Impacts

Lasco, R.D. and F.B. Pulhin. 1998.  In: Proceedings of the Consultation Meeting for the International Conference on Tropical Forests and Climate Change: Status, Issues and Challenges. Sponsored by University of the Philippines Los Baños, Integrated Environmental Assessment for Sustainable Development - Department of Environment and Natural Resources, United Nations Development Programme. November 25, 1997. Makati, Philippines.

This paper presents the findings of a follow-up study to the one reported earlier (Lasco, 1997a).  It attempts to further quantify the impacts of land-use change in Philippine forests to the carbon budget during three periods.  The first part exaines the change of forest land-use from the 1500s to 1995.  The second part looks at the present forest land-use allocation and their contribution to carbon loss and sequestration.  The third part presents the projected forest land-use scenario under the Forestry Master Plan till the yer 2015 and its likely impacts to the carbon budget.  Finally, the last part contains policy recommendations to use forests more effectively in the mitigation of CO2.