Protocol for GHG Inventories in Companies of the Forest Products Industry, 2003 Environmental Conference Proceedings

GHG inventories are gaining popularity due to emerging international and domestic policies on climate changecontrol. Since 2001, there has been published different guidance for entities but none specific for the FPI companies. The movement towards harmonization of guides and protocols has reached the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and presently work has been initiated to standardize the practice of GHG inventories for entities and projects. There are unique aspects of the forest product industry that are not included in the existing protocols because these documents address the conventional emissions from fossil fuels oxidation. The removal portion of the comprehensive radiative forcing equation and other FPI characteristics are of no interest for other business sectors but are vital for the FPI companies.

The authors review the latest GHG Inventory Protocol developed by Georgia-Pacific and the experiences in carrying on a baseline inventory conducted under its Guidance. The treatment of biomass fuel combustion emissions as well as the product carbon sink removals will be discussed in detail. Some specific transformation factors for pulping mills are explained. The leading author’s role as chair of the US Tag Work Group and expert in the ISO’s GHG inventory standardization project is discussed and the importance for industry’s participation stressed.