Forest Carbon

Carbon in Forests, Wood Products and Bioenergy

The Forest Carbon team undertakes research with the aim to provide robust scientific backing to the sustainable management of production forests and the climate benefits of using wood and wood products. Key components of the Forest Carbon research program include:

• Quantification of the carbon footprint of production forests and wood products in NSW, including the application of Life Cycle Assessments;
• Investigation of the use of existing and new sources of biomass for bioenergy generation;
• Specialist assessments of key wood properties;
• Guidance on the development of methods for recognition of the carbon abatement benefits of forestry activities under the Emissions Reduction Fund and other mechanisms;
• Investigations on the carbon dynamics of wood and paper products in landfills; and
• Investigations on the use of mechanical fuel load reduction in forests as an alternative fuel reduction approach.

Current and Recent Projects

1. CCF Biomass for Bioenergy Project
• Woody Biomass Crop Trials
2. Australian Biomass for Bioenergy Assessment (ABBA) Project
3. North Coast Residues Project

Areas of Interest

Biomass and Carbon Assessments

Bioenergy

Woody Biomass Crop Trials

Wood Science

Landfill Research

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Publications

The Forest Carbon team has published papers and reports in many research areas including but not limited to:

• Bioenergy;
• Biomass;
• Carbon Accounting;
• Greenhouse Balance;
• Landfill;
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA); and
• Wood Science.

Useful Links and Resources

• FullCAM - Full Carbon Accounting Model
• CSIRO Biomass Quality Database - Database of chemical properties of Australian biomass and waste
• FWPA - Forest & Wood Products Australia