Climate Change and Forest Carbon

Climate is a strong influence on forest and range lands in BC. It affects tree growth, productivity, and numerous resource values derived from these lands.  Managing these resources in a changing climate poses tough challenges for forest and range managers.

The Ministry of Forests and Range is responding to climate change through a number of actions, including the Future Forest Ecosystem Initiative.

What’s New

• New June 2009 – BC Forest Offset Protocol.  This protocol is now available for review.  Comments by July 10 to Brian Raymer
• February 2009 – Adapting to Climate Change Newsletter.  Contains news about the impacts of climate change on BC's forest and range ecosystems, and management approaches to enhance adaptation.
• Seminar Series: Climate Change and Forest Management: Join us on designated Thursdays at 11 AM Pacific time to hear about cutting edge science and modelling for climate change adaptation.
• August 2008 – Fall Amendments to Seed Transfer Standards.  Proposerd changes to seed transfer limits will address forest health and productivity impacts of climate change.
• April 2008 – A Summary of Climate Change Effects on Watershed Hydrology. This Ministry of Forests and Range Extension Note 87 outlines recent and projected changes to hydrology, and implications for forest management. (4 pages)
• March 2008 – Climate change, impacts, and adaptation scenarios technical report. This report by Dr. D.L. Spittlehouse (2008) provides a summary of future possible climates for British Columbia, a brief review of possible impacts on forest and range resources, and options for and challenges to adapting to climate change.
• February 2008 – Premier’s Forestry Climate Action Meeting, Prince George, Feb 15, 2008.  Presentations provided an opportunity for the forest sector to identify opportunities for greenhouse gas reduction and to articulate a climate action vision. (Note: All materials in this section are the work of external contributors, and the Ministry makes no claim regarding the contents therein).
  • A Vision for the Forest Sector – Ric Slaco, Vice President International Forest Products
  • Convergence of the Markets for Fuel. Food and Fiber: A Land-Use Perspective – Don G. Roberts, Managing Director, CIBC World Markets
  • BC’s Forest Sector: Biorefineries, Bioenergy and Climate Change – Jack Saddler, Dean, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia
  • Overview of Climate Action Initiatives – Graham Whitmarsh, Head, Climate Action Secretariat
• February 2008 – Climate Change Posters
  • Climate Change in BC - the Imperative (an overview of BC's mitigation efforts relevant to forests)
  • BC's Green Advantage (opportunities and actions to address forest carbon)
  • Adapting to Climate Change (including the Future Forest Ecosystem Initiative)
• See the Publications and Links pages for earlier documents.

Preparing for Climate Change

In May 2006, the Ministry of Forests and Range released a report outlining the challenges, opportunities and actions the ministry, and others might take to prepare for the potential impacts of climate change.

• Preparing for Climate Change: Adapting to Impacts on B.C.'s Forest and Range Resources

More Information

• Publications
• Other Links