Loophole of the Role of Sinks

Male: The third loophole concerns sinks, the shorthand for the forest that
removes some of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. If a
country can prove that it is conserving or planting trees then this
would be set against its emission levels. But CO2 absorption by far
as acting as sinks is difficult to quantify. Different forests behave
differently.

Sarwono: Well, I think old growth forests have a limited role as sinks
because they are mature trees. Sinks can be designed as part of
aforestation and reforestation and there is great scope for those
kind of activities in countries like Indonesia. The question is how
to link in a fair-minded question if it’s emissions reduction.

Male: The 38 countries which are the major emitters of greenhouse gases
came away from Kyoto with a compromised agreement.