Method for Calculating Carbon Sequestration by Trees in Urban and Suburban Settings

"This document presents a method for calculating the amount of carbon sequestered by trees planted individually in urban and suburban settings. It is intended for use by participants in the Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Program, who intend to submit either Form EIA- 1605 or EIA-1605EZ to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration. This simplified method can be used by those who have no formal background in forestry.

Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases

"This method is appropriate only for calculating carbon sequestration by individual (“open grown”) trees, such as trees typically planted along streets, in yards, and in parks. Do not use it for calculating carbon sequestration by densely planted trees, as in typical afforestation or reforestation projects where large numbers of trees are planted closely together on one or more acres of land. A separate set of tables designed to assist in calculating carbon sequestration per-acre are available upon request from the Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Program by calling 1-800-803-5182.

"A further limitation of this method is that it only estimates the greenhouse gas emission benefit associated with the carbon sequestered directly by trees planted. Trees planted adjacent to buildings can significantly reduce cooling and heating needs by providing shade during summer and acting as windbreaks during winter. These reductions in energy consumption result in reduced carbon dioxide emissions, a greenhouse gas. These emission reductions must be calculated separately." [Introduction]

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