Zer ero Net D o Net Def efor oresta estation tion - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Zer ero Net D o Net Def efor oresta estation tion Stakeholder Engagement Presentation June 2010 2

The Clim he Climate e is is Ch Changing anging in in B B.C. .C. relative to 1961-1990 baseline Rodenhuis, D.; K.E. Bennett, A. Werner, T.Q. Murdock, and D. Bronaugh. 2007. Hydro-climatology and Future Climate impacts 3 in British Columbia. Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, Victoria, B.C. http://www.pacificclimate.org/docs/publications/

Emis Emissio sion Sc n Scenar enarios ios 4

Ou Outlin tline 1. B.C. climate action 2. What is deforestation? 3. Zero net deforestation 4. Ideas for action 5

1. 1. B B.C. .C. Clim Climate e A Actio tion n P Plan lan • Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act commits government to reduce B.C. emissions by 33% by 2020 • Zero Net Deforestation (ZND) is a key component of B.C.’s Climate Action Plan • Achieving ZND by 2015 is required by the Zero Net Deforestation Act 6

B.C. .C. Gr Greenhous eenhouse e G Gas Em as Emiss ission ions 67,309 kilotonnes CO 2 e in 2007 7

Abo bout ut Two-T -Thir hirds ds o of B f B.C. .C. is is For ores ested ed 60 million hectares of forest 8

Tim Timber ber Har Harves esting ting • 180,000 hectares per year • 0.3% of B.C.’s forests 9

Re Refor oresta estation tion • Required after timber harvesting since 1987 (mostly planted) • Not required after MPB, wildfire (mostly natural regeneration ) 10

2. 2. Wha hat t is is D Def efor ores esta tation? tion? • Human-induced (permanent) change of land use from forest to non-forest • Examples of deforestation: • Agricultural expansion • Urban development • Forestry (major access roads and landings) • Industries (mines, utility corridors, etc.) 11

Def efor oresta estation tion • 6,000 hectares per year • 0.01% of B.C.’s forests 12

Wha hat t is is F For ores est? t? • For reporting of areas deforested and afforested, forest is defined as: • Area >1 hectare • Width > 20 metres • Tree cover > 25% or capable of achieving 25% • Trees height > 5 metres or capable of exceeding 5 metres 13

3. 3. Z Zer ero Net o Net D Def efor oresta estation tion • Area deforested is less than or equal to the area afforested • B.C. figures for 2007: • deforestation = about 6,200 hectares/year • afforestation = about 2,000 hectares/year • net deforestation = about 4,200 hectares/year 14

Def efor oresta estation tion b by y Sec ector (200 or (2007) 7) Recreation – 110 hectares Transport – 150 hectares Oil and Gas – 1,130 hectares Agriculture – 1,780 hectares Forestry – 820 hectares Settlement – 1,420 hectares Industry – 170 hectares Mining – 620 hectares 15 Approximately 40% of deforestation occurs on private land and 60% on public land in B.C.

Zer ero Net o Net D Defo eforest estation A ation Act , 20 2010 10 • Area of deforestation less than area of afforestation • Goal of ZND must be achieved by Dec. 3 31, 1, 20 2015 15 • Biennial public report on progress, actions, plans • Power to make regulations 16

Reac Reaching hing Z Zer ero Net D o Net Def efor oresta estation tion Hectares 30,000 Deforestation Rate (ha/yr) Spike largely due to Afforestation Rate (ha/yr) hydroelectric projects. Projected deforestation trend 25,000 to meet ZND goal by 2015 Projected afforestation trend to meet ZND goal by 2015 20,000 Zero net deforestation 15,000 Goal maintained 10,000 from 2015 forward. The deforestation rate the last 30 5,000 years decreased from over 15,000 ha/yr to just over 6,200 ha/yr. 17 0 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2012 2015 2020

Government’s Policy Direction • Voluntary • No restriction on deforestation • No requirement to restore forest • Incentives • Public Awareness 18

4. 4. Id Ideas eas f for A or Action tion Avoid loss of forest • Think before you deforest – reduce greenhouse gas emissions Minimize loss of forest • Reduce “unnecessary” deforestation – reduce greenhouse gas emissions Restore forest • Plant non-forest areas – sequester carbon 19

In Incen entiv tives es • Business expense deduction ( Income Tax Act ) • Charitable donations • Revitalization tax exemptions (under local governments) • Lower assessed land value • Reduced development cost charges • Green grants • Carbon credits 20

Id Ideas eas f for A or Agric gricultu ulture • Balance ZND objectives with food production • Consider integrating trees as a complement to existing production practices, e.g., agroforestry • Consider forestry on lands not intended for agricultural production • Diversify income by managing existing forest for timber production • Conservation initiatives on forested areas on agricultural lands 21

Id Ideas eas f for U or Urba rban D n Dev evelo elopment pment • Create and advertise climate-friendly product • Reduce environmental “footprint” • Reduce costs by reducing loss of forest with smart development • New approaches could help earn LEED certification • Recognition in Zero Net Deforestation reports 22

Id Ideas eas f for F or For ores estr try y an and O d Other In ther Indu dustri stries es • Brand your products as forest- and climate-friendly • Earn recognition for Corporate Social Responsibility • Support FPAC commitment to be carbon neutral by 2015 • Stimulate innovation • Help recruit and retain young employees • Recognition in Zero Net Deforestation reports 23

Why y You ou Sh Shou ould B ld Be P e Par art t o of ZND f ZND Your business is contributing to the Green Economy Who Wins? Provides more jobs Increases business and job stability You profits Business Environment Allows investment in 24 new business

Wha hat t D Do o You ou Thin hink? k? • What is the best way to raise awareness about zero net deforestation? • How can your sector or community avoid and minimize deforestation? • What can we do to encourage you to restore forest? 25

• Today and in written submissions by Ju July ly 9, 9, 20 2010 10 Website: www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/znd/feedback.htm Email: znd@gov.bc.ca ... will help us develop an implementation plan 26

Opt Optional ex ional extr tra slide a slides For use in discussion, if useful 27

Pos ossib sible B le B.C. .C. D Def efinit initions ions Use se int intern rnational tional/na /nationa tional l de defi finitio nitions ns to e o ens nsur ure cr credib dibilit ility y and an d con onsist sistenc ency y wit ith h natio national nal repo porting ting • UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol • National and B.C. Greenhouse Gas Inventory Reports Oth ther er de defin finitio itions ns an and d repo porting ting ma may y be be de develo lope ped d for or: • urban forests • urban “green” development • riparian plantings, shelterbelts and buffers 28

ZND ZND Tim Timeli eline ne Implementation ZND Act External ZND and Monitoring Regulation Achieved Engagement Policy 2010 2010 2010 2010 2015 or May June Summer/ Fall sooner Fall 29