Page 43 - European Energy Innovation - spring 2018 publication
P. 43
Spring 2018 European Energy Innovation 43
COMMUNICATION
The bad news is that we are extremely system should be put in place as well CONCEPT THAT COMBATS CLIMATE
poor and slow at deploying it. For as being audited and verified on a CHANGE AND BENEFITS LOCAL
the big part it has to do with the regular basis. It has to be emphasized PEOPLE AND SOCIETY
fact that the increasing population that the idea is to incentivize the There is a long history of afforestation
needs more and more resources and afforestation as a supplementary tool and reforestation activities worldwide,
agricultural land which, instead, causes to sectoral and national activities. from where good and bad lessons
deforestation. Globally, we are moving It’s not intended to be a substitutive learned should be drawn. One of
in the wrong direction, even though method. Actions need to be taken the main goals is to ensure that the
in some regions, like the Nordics, the simultaneously and on all fronts. afforested area remains and flourishes
forests are in fact growing. for years and decades to come. The
LOW TECH SOLUTION fundamental key success factor is
CARBON FARMING In deserted or semi-deserted areas, to create a concept that benefits
What can we do to get the global a well-functioning irrigation system local people and society. Firstly, land
afforestation pace at the level is a prerequisite for success. Ideally, ownership should be undisputable
required? The question is about treated waste water, or, if not available, and societal conditions should be
money. Carbon needs to be even with the help of solar power, stable enough to enable long term
monetized, and in this case the desalinated sea water can be used investment. Concepts, where the
biologically sequestrated carbon. to irrigate the plantation. There are growing biomass offers a monetary
When the carbon has a price, the plentiful successful case examples value for local people, have proven
growing biomass has a value. With to demonstrate that this is doable. to be most successful in the history
value a company can have a business In addition, globally, there are large of afforestation. Perhaps, the most
case to invest in. We have named it areas where Carbon Farming could appealing approach is the so called
Carbon Farming. If the CO2 abatement be fully deployed with or without a Agro-forest concept. The idea is
cost of 150 €/t is taken as a reference, limited amount of artificial irrigation simply to combine large tree
there is a lucrative business case requirement. Carbon Farming is an plantations with crop farming. This
to invest in Carbon Farming. The overlooked and underrated low-tech is especially effective in arid areas,
measurement of sequestrated carbon solution, just waiting to be deployed where an Agro-forest offers an array of
needs to be done according to the on a large scale. environmental and societal benefits,
IPCC guidelines. Naturally, a robust such as prevention of desertification,
and fully transparent management REGULATION AS ENABLER increased food production and even
In the EU we must create a regulative decreased pressure on international
framework that enables a cross migration. For example, if the Agro-
sectoral and geographically cross forest concept could be successfully
border flexibilities to mitigate climate implemented in the Sahel area, it
change by also enabling Carbon would at best create decent living
Farming. Practically, this means a conditions which are so desperately
structure where a part of the sectoral needed in this region.
and national GHG reduction target
could be fulfilled with biological Carbon Farming should not be
carbon sequestration in the EU as seen as a substitution to sectoral
well as in other parts of the world. decarbonization measures. It is a
Climate change is a global problem, supplementary, and paramount tool
and the measures need to be taken to fight climate change. It’s not about
globally, regardless of where we either or – it’s about both and more. l
live, or where companies happen
to be headquartered or where they Contact Details:
operate. This is well recognized in
the Paris Agreement. Unfortunately, Mika Aho
the envisaged EU 2030 Effort Sharing Director, Public Affairs
regulation would specifically prevent St1 Nordic Oy
a cross sectoral and cross border +358 50 500 2072
approach to the extend needed to mika.aho@st1.fi
make Carbon Farming a reality. We www.st1.eu
are moving in the wrong direction. We
must do a U-turn.
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
