Each year, the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) provides estimates of the amount of carbon in our managed forests and the changes in these amounts over time. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) combines these estimates with those from other land categories and includes all estimates in Canada’s Green House Gas (GHG) inventory, which is submitted annually to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The CFS uses its science-based National Forest Carbon Monitoring, Accounting and Reporting System (NFCMARS) and its Carbon Budget Model to develop these estimates. This model is internationally recognized and used internationally to estimate and understand forest emissions and removals. The modelling framework integrates information on forest growth and disturbance from a wide variety of sources. Trends in forest management are tracked using harvesting and other forest management activities information. Assessments of carbon in tree trunks, branches and roots, as well as in dead wood, litter and soil are included.
NRCan is committed to improving Canada’s approach to forest GHG estimation and reporting through collaboration and using the best available information and scientific knowledge.