Growing opportunity in carbon.

Industries may soon be knocking on the back doors of land owners in hopes of enticing them to establish tree plantations to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

In 1997 there were 160 countries that signed the Kyoto Protocol agreement. Their mandate was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to or below 1990 levels by 2012.

"Canada just signed onto it last year (2002)," Michael Rosen, registered professional forester and vice-president of Tree Canada says.

Greenhouse gas emissions refer to the presence of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide in the earth's atmosphere, Rosen explains. An increase in these gases is occurring in the earth's temperature at an unprecedented rate. So, Canada decided to join in with the other countries in reducing its emissions.

"Canada agreed to go six per cent below 1990 levels by the year 2012," Rosen says.

What this means is if Canada continues on this road, it will represent a 30-per-cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2012.

"This is a huge reduction, which is why industries were quite concerned at the target that was being set because it has (financial) implications," he adds.

However, a new direction presents opportunities for landowners. Industries are looking for farmers, mine owners and land owners to assist in reducing and neutralizing their carbon emissions output through tree planting.

"There will be companies seeking land owners to a-forest their properties for those carbon credits," Rosen explains

Information on Tree Canada's Web site indicates trees act like the earth's lungs by filtering out carbon dioxide. Kyoto has recognized a-forestation as a viable means to counterbalance carbon emissions.

A-forestation is different than reforestation. It refers to tree planting where there has been no forest for decades, Rosen explains. Whereas reforestation is a process of replanting trees where recent harvesting has occurred.

"Canada owns 10 per cent of the world's forest," he says.

To get an idea of how applicable this is for Northern Ontario, there are over one million acres of farmland in the region, Rosen explains. Of that "there could be approximately 25,000 acres across Northern Ontario that would qualify for a-forestation under the Kyoto agreement"

"That is what a company would be interested in targeting for carbon credits."

Currently the going price for carbon is four dollars per tonne.

"Companies are going to pay you four dollars per tonne for carbon to grow on your property, all you have to do is give up the land and plant it into trees."

Rosen says the present price of carbon is extremely low due to an unregulated market since Kyoto has not kicked in. Carbon (not to be confused with carbon dioxide) is one of the main components in the tree's chemistry, which filters carbon dioxide. Dry trees contain approximately 50 per cent carbon whereas greener trees hold 25 per cent. As more companies become interested in the a-forestation process, the price of carbon will rise.

Money for this venture is coming from interested companies. These compaines are starting to hire agents who will search for prospective landowners willing to sign up for a-forestation opportunities.

"Shell is the largest a-forest plantation owner in the world," Rosen says.

TransCanada Pipelines Limited continues to be a prominent leader in a-forestation as well. This year they have planted more than 6,000 trees across Canada.

Rosen is also encouraging carbon neutrality where a company obtains a detailed analysis of how much carbon dioxide (CO2) they are expelling into the atmosphere. Through this they have an idea as to how many trees they will have to plant to sequester the CO2.