LIFE CO2RK
hayedo en otoño

The LIFE CO2RK Project

LIFE CO2RK seeks to halt the decline of slow-growing forests in the EU by demonstrating and highlighting their role as agents of Climate Change Mitigation.

Cork oak, holm oak, oak, beech and chestnut forests... generate complex ecosystems with a great biodiversity of flora and fauna species. They are an asset in themselves, and CO2RK will demonstrate that despite their slow growth they have a great potential for CO2 sequestration thanks to the abundant and diverse organic matter with which they enrich their soils, together with the lush plant biomass.

General objectives

1

Mobilize investments for the recovery of the cork oak ecosystem.

CO2RK aims to build and test a legal and financial architecture to mobilize investments for the recovery of the cork oak ecosystem from companies interested in offsetting their CO2 emissions to forest farms that certify silvicultural management that the project will have scientifically proven to generate additionality, i.e. a maximum sequestration of CO2 above that which occurs under current conditions.

2

Promoting CO2 offsets

Promote CO2 offsetting by raising awareness and facilitating agreements between companies with emissions and forest owners, developing a scientifically endorsed CO2 sequestration certification methodology, and registering offsetting agreements in the SACE (Andalusian Emissions Offsetting System).

3

Halting the decline of the forest stands

To halt the decline of Fagaceae forest stands, especially those of Cork oak and Holm oak. The use of forest products will be encouraged, since only their (sustainable) exploitation provides the necessary profitability for owners to invest in proper forest management to ensure their health and future. Special mention should be made of cork, one of the few products that sequester CO2 during a very long useful life as a stopper in the best wines, insulating material in construction and industry...

Dehesa con CO2RK

Programmed actions

1

Carbon Forestry Manual

Guide with the forest management that obtains the highest CO2 fixation for each type of cork oak forest, so that forest managers can plan silvicultural itineraries in any cork oak forest and is easily adaptable to other Fagaceae (beech, oak, chestnut, holm oak).

2

App for calculating the CO2 sequestration potential of any cork oak farm

A web application will allow a landowner to measure the area of the stand he is interested in, indicate the typology, and choose the carbon forestry practices that fit his productive purposes to maximize sequestration, or simply to make it compatible with the exploitation of cork, livestock, hunting... and accurately estimate the ADUs (Absorption Units) that he would get and can offer as a basis for an offset agreement or contract.

3

Compensation Arrangement Encouragements

Through dissemination events and personalized advice, CO2RK will promote mutual knowledge and the signing of agreements between companies interested in offsetting their emissions and forest managers.

Alcornoques en descorche CO2RK

Localization of partners and stakeholders