Carbon accounting and forestry: a review of the subsequent papers

Abstract

Abstract The papers in this publication are reviewed. It is concluded that there is a conflict between three approaches to carbon accounting. Scientific purists attempt to account for every carbon source, sink and reservoir. Pragmatic accountants concentrate on critical and easily quantifiable data, acknowledging that data-collection resources are limited. Thirdly, there are accountants whose greatest concern is international equity, so that no country or grouping (especially the one to which they belong!) is greatly disadvantaged. If genuine goodwill is absent, the conflict between these three approaches is likely to continue.