In the past 10 years, global warming has become a public policy issue high on national and international agendas. In 1997, Japan hosted the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Kyoto. At the end of a series of grueling negotiations, the international agreement called for the European Union to achieve CO2 reductions 8 percent below 1990 levels; the United States 7 percent below 1990 levels and Japan 6 percent below 1990 levels between the years 2008 and 2012.

Nations are looking for cost-effectiveness and calling for strong, transparent international rules that maximize the potential of the Kyoto Protocol's market-based tools to achieve cost-effective emissions reductions.

The Kyoto Protocol identifies several market-based options for reducing greenhouse gases. It provides for possible carbon emissions trading among developed countries; allows for joint implementation (JI) project activities and provides for the creation of a "Clean Development Mechanism" whereby industrialized countries can undertake joint implementation projects in developing countries. The Kyoto Protocol also introduced a limited net accounting for carbon sequestration as an offset to greenhouse gas emissions.

"If sequestration is done correctly it can have many benefits. But done poorly it can make the greenhouse problem worse and do a lot of damage to the ecosystem."

-Michael Oppenheimer, Senior Scientist, Environmental Defense

HNRG recognizes that transparency in accounting and protection of existing native forests for biodiversity will be fundamental to insuring every project meets the principles of sustainable development.

Carbon sequestration

Trees absorb CO2 to grow, and hold carbon in their trunks, roots and crowns. Over time, the accumulation of carbon in trees is called sequestration. Combating climate change means removing excess CO2 from the atmosphere and creating and maintaining stocks of carbon in the form of growing trees and agricultural products.

Carbon sequestration-or carbon sinks-is one of a suite of instruments under the Kyoto Protocol. Through reforestation, enhanced carbon dioxide absorption can be counted against emissions reduction targets. The international agreement, therefore, will give farmers and foresters new economic opportunities.

Carbon sequestration through forests promises secondary benefits such as curbing erosion, enhancing watershed protection and improved local biodiversity. Major forestry opportunities include reestablishing forests in areas of marginal agricultural lands, establishing tree crops for bio-energy production, reducing forest burning and deforestation and increasing use of wood in durable products.

Ecologists, world leaders and legislators are looking to the world's forests as one way to address the carbon dioxide increases from fossil fuel combustion.

HNRG's forest stewardship is practiced internationally and is based on the idea that stewardship is good business and that environmentally responsible management minimizes risk and maximizes performance. HNRG foresters recognize that forest management plans must consider community and environmental needs as well as economic returns.

The organization manages its forests with a long-term, sustainable perspective, recognizing that the land contains more than just timber. Operating practices are designed to protect soil and maintain the productivity of the forestland. Foresters carefully consider public resources like recreation, water, wildlife, fish and historical and cultural sites in their overall management plan.

Its foresters are empowered to practice stewardship, beginning with professionally sound management. They meet high standards for road construction and stream crossings, riparian and soil protection, reforestation, aesthetics and habitat protection.

HNRG successfully achieved independent, third-party certification of its California forestlands by the Forest Stewardship Council and is working toward third-party review of all the forests under its management. The organization is fully committed to the industry's Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

The group's award-winning Sensitive Lands Program has preserved 200,000 acres of land for public use, wildlife management and conservation.

HNRG recognizes and respects the public's interest in management practices, and seeks cooperative, working relationships with conservation groups, government agencies, industry associations and interested individuals.

The organization works closely and cooperatively with dozens of such groups and individuals, and in North America has been honored nationally and regionally for environmental work associated with its forests.

HNRG most recently earned The Conservation Fund's national American Land Legacy Award for engineering the largest conservation land sale in mid-Atlantic history. The group also has won awards from The Nature Conservancy, the Pacific Rivers Council, Trout Unlimited and the American Forest & Paper Association.