Reducing GHG Emissions Uncertainties (GESAPU)

Research in the more than ten years since the Kyoto Protocol has shown that the methods used to measure and inventory greenhouse gas emissions have significant uncertainties and gaps. GESAPU is intended to reduce the uncertainties of GHG emissions in Poland and Ukraine.

Copyright ©2011 iStockphoto LP

Copyright ©2011 iStockphoto LP

 Overview

To comply with Kyoto Protocol commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, countries first must know what their actual emissions are—a challenging task as GHG inventories involve significant uncertainties. While such uncertainties are inescapable, especially in countries that are heavily forested or have large areas of differentiate terrain, the policy implications of incomplete data are serious and should be reduced as much as possible.

GESAPU is attacking the problem through the use of spatially distributed inventories and more detailed forest modeling. Based on a methodology of Full Carbon Accounting developed by IIASA for the West Ukraine region, GESAPU researchers are using mathematical models, digital maps, geo-referenced databases, and specialized software to develop a similar GHG inventory for the remainder of Ukraine and Poland.

IIASA Research

Methods already used in the Ukraine and Russia are being modified to provide a full carbon account of all of the Ukrainian forests. IIASA researchers are combining the Institute’s methodology, modeling framework and databases with the work already completed in the Ukraine to better understand that country’s forest ecosystems.


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Last edited: 27 August 2014

CONTACT DETAILS

Anatoly Shvidenko

Distinguished Emeritus Research Scholar Agriculture, Forestry, and Ecosystem Services Research Group - Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program

Timeframe

24.06.2010 - 23.06.2014

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Phone: (+43 2236) 807 0 Fax:(+43 2236) 71 313