Press Release

Sept. 9, 2002

California Governor Signs Nation's First Law
To Fight Global Warming With Forest Conservation

Santa Rosa, Calif. -- Gov. Gray Davis has signed Senate Bill 812, landmark legislation that aims both to curb global warming and to conserve native forests. It is the first law of its kind in the United States.

Specifically, the bill provides guidance for how forest carbon stocks may be registered in California's Climate Registry as a means to mitigate global climate change. It ensures permanent carbon benefits as well as the conservation and sustainable management of California's native forests.

"This bill is precedent-setting in its recognition of the role that forests and forestry play as both the second-largest source of carbon dioxide emissions and as tools to reduce emissions," said Laurie Wayburn, president of the Pacific Forest Trust, the lead conservation organization in SB 812's passage.

It is well-known that forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Less well-known is the fact that when forests are harvested or otherwise disturbed, they release carbon dioxide, contributing up to 25 percent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. Logging of virgin forests in the Pacific Northwest released between 5.5 billion and 6.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide between 1890 and 1990.

By conserving or sustainably managing forestland, these emissions are reduced or avoided. Forests can thus help prevent carbon dioxide emissions directly, and offset emissions from other sectors.

"By conserving, restoring and sustainably managing our private forests, we can achieve permanent benefits both in the atmosphere and on the ground, " said Wayburn. "These benefits include improved water quality, habitat for fish and wildlife, and preservation of native forests."

The California Climate Registry was established to encourage carbon dioxide producers to voluntarily report and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. While the registry is voluntary, California has promised to do everything it can to ensure that early participants will receive credit under any future regulatory system.

SB 812 is the third in a series of significant state legislative initiatives to combat global warming, and follows on the heels of AB 1493, which calls for the regulation of automobile CO2 emissions. SB 812 ensures that including the forestry sector in registries, and crediting forest activities to reduce emissions, will make a significant difference in carbon dioxide levels.

For carbon stocks to qualify for the Registry, the bill requires that:

• Forest practices must exceed legal and regulatory requirements, thus preventing carbon dioxide emissions and achieving reductions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere beyond those that would take place otherwise.
  
  
• Forest carbon benefits must be permanent, making a permanent difference for global warming and conservation.
  
  
• Forest practices must promote and maintain native forests, while avoiding the environmental harm that could result from the planting of non-native species.