B.C. invites public review of forestry offset rules

VANCOUVER - The B.C. government is releasing proposed requirements for forest-based carbon offset projects that could help unlock new revenue for forest managers and help industry reduce emissions, Pat Bell, Minister of Forests, Mines and Lands announced recently.

The draft Forest Carbon Offset Protocol will guide development of offset projects on private and public land. Forest managers who undertake activities that meet the protocol requirements would generate offsets that they can sell on the carbon offset market. Activities would have to go beyond a “business-as-usual” approach and can include planting trees, and harvesting and managing forests in new ways.

The public review period closes on Monday, Jan. 31, 2011. Final approval is expected in early 2011.

To review the draft Forest Carbon Offset Protocol, click here... [8]