1. Carbon sinks are becoming more relevant - challenges for forest research and university training Veli Pohjonen Tana-Beles WME project University of Helsinki Discussion in Debre Birhan University 8 December 2012

2. CO 2 in our air Despite climate conventions in Kyoto, Copenhagen and Doha (Qatar): CO 2 concentration of the air is rising 12 per cent in Kyoto period 1990 – 2012 No effect from CO 2 emission reductions

3. Carbon dioxide in accelerating increase

4. Two ways to combat Through the sources: reduce CO 2 emissions. Tried during Kyoto period Through the sources: reduce CO 2 emissions. Tried during Kyoto period Through the sinks: increase Carbon Offsets to trees and soils. Largely unexplored. Through the sinks: increase Carbon Offsets to trees and soils. Largely unexplored.

5. Carbon Offsets via trees Conserve and manage the existing natural forests Conserve and manage the existing natural forests Establish (large) block plantations Establish (large) block plantations Agroforests, forest farms Agroforests, forest farms

6. Average Amhara smallholder farm: assume 1500 agroforestry trees (stems); how much carbon is Offsetted in a year, how many Birr is it worth of?

7. Tana-Beles average farms (8): Birr value of Offsetted Carbon Carbon Offset in one year B-A = 0.672 tn C/farm/yr Carbon Offset in one year B-A = 0.672 tn C/farm/yr Price of Carbon 556 Birr/tn C Price of Carbon 556 Birr/tn C Value of Offsetted Carbon: 373 Birr/yr/farm Value of Offsetted Carbon: 373 Birr/yr/farm

8. How potential Carbon trading 373 Birr/yr/farm compares to smallholder farm annual sales?

9. University research & training challenges 1 Improved agroforestry in Ethiopian farms Improved agroforestry in Ethiopian farms Forest inventory and management Forest inventory and management Carbon inventory and management Carbon inventory and management Carbon trading Carbon trading

10. More tradable carbon into soils Tree planting immediate way to increase carbon in smallholder farms (above ground) Tree planting immediate way to increase carbon in smallholder farms (above ground) How to increase and store carbon in smallholder farm soils (below ground)? How to increase and store carbon in smallholder farm soils (below ground)? Biochar (developed charcoal) has huge potential Biochar (developed charcoal) has huge potential

11. Poor soil (left) transformed into fertile Terra preta, using biochar (source Wikipedia : Biochar)

12. Biochar stores carbon Biochar was invented by Amazonian indians 2000 years ago (Terra preta soils) Biochar was invented by Amazonian indians 2000 years ago (Terra preta soils) Biochar is added to cultivated soils like lime Biochar is added to cultivated soils like lime Biochar remains in the soil without decomposing, similarly to coal Biochar remains in the soil without decomposing, similarly to coal Biochar makes permanent carbon sink Biochar makes permanent carbon sink Made via pyrolysis from forest residues Made via pyrolysis from forest residues Increment of biochar to smallholder farm soils can be added to Carbon trading Increment of biochar to smallholder farm soils can be added to Carbon trading

13. Biochar – ultimate Watershed management agent Soil acidity decreases Soil acidity decreases Cation exchange capacity increases, leaching of nutrients decreases Cation exchange capacity increases, leaching of nutrients decreases Soil microbial activity increases, more nitrogen is retained in the soil Soil microbial activity increases, more nitrogen is retained in the soil Fysical soil particle structure for crops improves Fysical soil particle structure for crops improves Soil water retention capacity improves Soil water retention capacity improves => Crop yields are raised in sustained manner

14. University research & training challenges 2 Biochar production, optimized forest management Biochar production, optimized forest management Biochar production technology Biochar production technology Biochar in Ethiopian soil & water conservation Biochar in Ethiopian soil & water conservation Biochar in Carbon trading Biochar in Carbon trading

15. Environmental friendliness, eco-efficiency Biological sinks becoming more important in combat against climate change Biological sinks becoming more important in combat against climate change Carbon Offsets trade encourages farmers to plant more trees Carbon Offsets trade encourages farmers to plant more trees Planting of trees on most eroded sites increases Planting of trees on most eroded sites increases Biochar sustains and improves agricultural soil fertility Biochar sustains and improves agricultural soil fertility Carbon sequestration and trading becoming essential component in Watershed management Carbon sequestration and trading becoming essential component in Watershed management

16. Building the Carbon Towers Smallholder tree planting is on a good drive in Ethiopia, especially in Amhara region Smallholder tree planting is on a good drive in Ethiopia, especially in Amhara region Farmers are motivated especially after successful steps in land tenure and certification Farmers are motivated especially after successful steps in land tenure and certification Ethiopia is already converting into Carbon Tower of African Horn. This accelerates with Carbon trading Ethiopia is already converting into Carbon Tower of African Horn. This accelerates with Carbon trading Trees – Biochar - Carbon towers – Sinks are becoming more important in the coming UN climate conventions. Trees – Biochar - Carbon towers – Sinks are becoming more important in the coming UN climate conventions. International climate-based funding obvious International climate-based funding obvious

17. Carbon Tower gets greener

18. Thank you veli.pohjonen@gmail.com veli.pohjonen@gmail.com veli.pohjonen@gmail.com http://veli.pohjonen.org http://veli.pohjonen.org http://veli.pohjonen.org