Comparison of mitigation potential estimates of three models using the IPCC 3-tier approach
International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management
ISSN: 1756-8692
Article publication date: 12 August 2014
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to estimate carbon mitigation impacts of project activities in a community forestry project in Andhra Pradesh, India. Measurement and quantification of carbon stocks, monitoring of these stocks over time and projections using models is necessary for assessing the climate change mitigation potential or impacts of all forest development and conservation projects.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, multiple mitigation assessment methods and models were used to estimate the carbon mitigation impacts – PROCOMAP, TARAM and CATIE, by adopting a three-tier approach similar to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines.
Findings
There are differences in mitigation potential estimates across models as well as across tiers. The study highlights the strength and weaknesses and/or limitations and advantages of adopting the different approaches and their applicability for estimating mitigation potential of a forestry project. The same could be adopted for a future Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) regime also, given countries may not have the necessary technical capacity and data needed during the post-2012 REDD scheme. While countries with advanced data, technical and research capabilities could use models or, in other words, adopt the Tier-3 approach, countries with data and technical limitations, as in India, could adopt a Tier-2 or Tier-1 approach to begin with.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations and advantages of use of the multiple mitigation models is addressed.
Originality/value
This work would help understand use of three mitigation models by prospective students and researchers and also the data needs and limitations for use of these models.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the World Bank for funding this project. They profusely thank the AP Forest Dept, in particular Mr Ramesh Kalghatgi (The PCCF), his colleagues in Hyderabad and, more importantly, his colleagues and field staff at the Forest Division and Range level. They also thank the staff of Vanasamakhya and CPF for assistance in field work. This work was carried out at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.
Citation
K. Murthy, I., Tiwari, R., Hegde, G.T., Beerappa, M., Rao, K. and Ravindranath, N.H. (2014), "Comparison of mitigation potential estimates of three models using the IPCC 3-tier approach", International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Vol. 6 No. 3, pp. 236-249. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-06-2012-0032
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited