Judith Reise

Potential of blue carbon for global climate mitigation

Achieving climate neutrality primarily requires reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, in addition it requires measures to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and storing the carbon in the long term to balance the unavoidable residual emissions. A key measure available for countries to achieve

Closing an open balance: the impact of increased tree harvest on forest carbon

Fossil-based emissions can be avoided by using wood in place of non-renewable raw materials as energy and materials. However, wood harvest influences forest carbon stocks. Increased harvest may reduce the overall climate benefit of wood use significantly, but is widely overlooked. We reviewed select

The Missing Limb: Including Impacts of Biomass Extraction on Forest Carbon Stocks in Greenhouse Gas Balances of Wood Use

The global carbon neutrality challenge places a spotlight on forests as carbon sinks. However, greenhouse gas (GHG) balances of wood for material and energy use often reveal GHG emission savings in comparison with a non-wood reference. Is it thus better to increase wood production and use, or to con

Commissioned by Agora Energiewende

Analysis of the European Commission proposal for revising the EU LULUCF Regulation

This paper addresses national and EU policymakers, experts and NGO-representatives looking for an interpretation of the European Commission’s (EC) proposal for a revised LULUCF Regulation and other suggestions for revisions currently published. The aim of this paper is fourfold: First, it aims to

Assessment of their global mitigation potential and recommendations for international climate policy

Nature-based solutions and global climate protection

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) build synergies between biodiversity conservation and societal challenges such as climate change. This paper derives a working definition of NbS based on an evaluation of existing definitions, in particular the IUCN (2016) definition. It critically assesses the global mi

Working paper

Options for Strengthening Natural Carbon Sinks and Reducing Land Use Emissions in the EU

This report provides an overview and assessment of seven options for sink enhancement and reduction of emissions in the EU land use sector and is targeted towards policymakers and EU policy stakeholder groups. The publication has received funding from the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature