The paper gives a brief overview on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. It introduces the possible contribution of forests towards the reduction or mitigation of carbon emissions and points out open questions regarding the consideration of forests and forest management within the ambit of the Kyoto Protocol. The role of FAO in the context of the world community's reaction to climate change is highlighted. The Convention commits the Parties to carry out national inventories of greenhouse gas emissions and sinks, and to work toward meeting voluntary goals in the reduction of emissions. AIJs are cooperative projects between the Parties designed to avoid, sequester or reduce GHG emissions.
Forests play a significant role in moderating the net flux of some GHGs between land and atmosphere.
Forests act as reservoirs by storing carbon in biomass and soils. They act as carbon sinks when their area or productivity is increased, resulting in greater uptake of atmospheric CO 2 . Conversely, they act as a source of GHGs when burning and decay of biomass or disturbances to soil result in emissions of CO 2 and other GHGs. Appropriate forest management decisions can result in cost-effective net reductions in GHG emissions, either by diminishing the contribution of forests to global net emissions, or by enhancing their importance as carbon sinks. The magnitude of benefits available through the activities of the forestry sector will depend upon the amount of land available, improvements in forest productivity, and technical developments that allow more efficient harvesting and use of forest products.