Phase I
Main Objective:
To facilitate a process for public awareness and planning for low carbon economy development in small cities and towns in China. After two-year research, this study will develop a proposed low carbon indicator system and recommendations for public engagement and development planning, to provide guidance for future low carbon economy advancement in China.
Specific Objectives:
- Compare the current levels of knowledge, understanding, and attitude on low carbon economies in Fuding and Zherong to the level of low carbon pilot cities in China
- Understand how low-carbon development can be made more acceptable to affected communities and become more sustainable
- Research and compare the major sectors’ carbon emissions in Fuding and Zherong and these sectors’ capacities to reduce emissions
- Determine what the short and long term goals regarding emissions reductions are for Fuding and Zherong
- Establish a low-carbon emission target and a supporting indicator system that effectively and accurately evaluates the low carbon development process, and determine how to apply this system to developed cities such as Fuding and underdeveloped cities such as Zherong
Phase II
Main Objective:
To explore the future linkage between global emissions trading and the Chinese Carbon Market and analyze the international forest carbon sinks trading market and forest carbon sinks projects to provide case studies for the development of Chinese forest carbon sinks.
Specific Objectives:
- Determine how emissions rights trading and forest carbon sink trading operate by exploring main concerns and problems in completing trading mechanisms found in Europe, North America, and China
- Explore the linkages that exist between emissions rights trading and forest carbon sink trading
- Establish the operation of the Chinese national emissions trading and forest carbon trading mechanism and how it compares to other countries
- Analyze the feasibility of linking the Chinese carbon trading market to other countries around the world
- Investigate to improve the future emissions trading and forest carbon sink trading markets in China
Phase III
Main Objective:
To thoroughly investigate the additionality of forest and bamboo carbon offset projects globally, providing a comprehensive understanding of the methodologies used for validating and verifying additionality. The findings will aim to contribute to the enhancement of the integrity and effectiveness of carbon offset projects worldwide, bolstering global efforts toward climate change mitigation.
Specific Objectives:
- Review and analyze the methodologies and criteria currently used for assessing the additionality of forest and bamboo carbon offset projects across different countries and regions.
- Conduct in-depth case studies on selected forest and bamboo carbon offset projects from various regions to critically evaluate their claimed additionality and identify any challenges or issues in proving additionality.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the unique characteristics of bamboo as a carbon sink in different geographical conditions, including its growth rate, carbon sequestration potential, and suitability for carbon offset projects.
- Propose robust and practical methodologies for validating and verifying the additionality of forest and bamboo carbon offset projects, drawing from international best practices and adapting to diverse regional contexts.
- Explore potential policy and market incentives in different countries to encourage the implementation of additional forest and bamboo carbon offset projects.
- Provide recommendations for enhancing the regulatory framework and market mechanisms for forest and bamboo carbon offset projects globally, to ensure the integrity and credibility of these projects.
- Disseminate the findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders globally, including policymakers, project developers, and communities involved in forest and bamboo carbon offset projects, to support the wider adoption of best practices in verifying additionality.
