UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Beddoe, Rachael
Title:
Dept./Program:
Natural Resources
Year:
2011
Degree:
MS
Abstract:
Forests are important to climate stability and climate change mitigation. Changes in forest management on a global scale could not only buy valuable time as work to find alternative sources of energy progresses, but also play a critical role in adapting to climate change. In the absence of national legislation, many states and regions in the U.S. are developing their own climate-action plans, registries and emissions caps, partly in anticipation of future national regulation. These efforts, as well as the voluntary carbon-offset market, present an opportunity to provide compensation to landowners for tree planting, forest conservation, and improved forest management. It's important to include small-scale forest landowners in markets to address climate change; however, literature documents barriers to accessing carbon offset markets for small-scale forest landowners.
This study explores the opportunities and barriers encountered by small-scale, private landowners who are participating in two cases ofthese initial state efforts to connect landowners to carbon market. First, this study presents a literature review illustrating barriers to and opportunities found in accessing carbon markets for small-scale forestry, including community-based forestry. Second, the study presents descriptive case studies of one state-run program and one state-sponsored program. A market chain map is constructed for each program. Finally, this study explores the opportunities and barriers to participation in carbon markets as described by groups of landowners participating in each of the two carbon offset programs.
The literature review, landowner interviews, case studies and market maps reveal barriers and opportunities to market participation, as well as arrangements that have helped overcome market barriers. The results of this study could beuseful to states and other program developers who are interested in connecting small-scale forest landowners to carbon offset funding. Landowners described opportunities such as the funding of conservation and the establishment of a new forest. Barriers such as market declineand the cost of third-party certification are revealed. Recommendations include, among others, founding a revolving credit line to finance upfront costs, aggregating landowners, and seeking synergy with existing state agencies and forestry networks.
This study explores the opportunities and barriers encountered by small-scale, private landowners who are participating in two cases ofthese initial state efforts to connect landowners to carbon market. First, this study presents a literature review illustrating barriers to and opportunities found in accessing carbon markets for small-scale forestry, including community-based forestry. Second, the study presents descriptive case studies of one state-run program and one state-sponsored program. A market chain map is constructed for each program. Finally, this study explores the opportunities and barriers to participation in carbon markets as described by groups of landowners participating in each of the two carbon offset programs.
The literature review, landowner interviews, case studies and market maps reveal barriers and opportunities to market participation, as well as arrangements that have helped overcome market barriers. The results of this study could beuseful to states and other program developers who are interested in connecting small-scale forest landowners to carbon offset funding. Landowners described opportunities such as the funding of conservation and the establishment of a new forest. Barriers such as market declineand the cost of third-party certification are revealed. Recommendations include, among others, founding a revolving credit line to finance upfront costs, aggregating landowners, and seeking synergy with existing state agencies and forestry networks.