(45) Knowledge Transfer and Renewable Energy and Carbon Policy: Insights from the Frontline

Mark Megalos, and Chris Hopkins - North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina USA

Session: Concurrent session C2:  Renewable Energy and Carbon Credits

Absence of comprehensive national and global climate change policy in the U.S. has left individual states to develop policies to address climate, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy efficiency, and carbon sequestration.  The authors describe their education, research and policy roles during a multi-partner promulgation of incentive-based solutions to impending climate change.

In 2006, North Carolina began policy development to address renewable energy and climate change through three initiatives: 1) the Legislative Commission on Global Change (LCGC); 2) the North Carolina Climate Action Plan Advisory Group (CAPAG; and 3) studies and discussions related to a proposed Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard for the state (REPS).  The LCGC’s charge was to develop targets for the state to achieve reduced GHG emissions and increase carbon sequestration. Specific policy recommendations will be made to the N.C. General Assembly for consideration as legislation and regulation. The CAPAG is charged with developing global warming strategies by North Carolina’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources.  The REPS is designed to offset some fossil fuel use for electricity through renewable energy sources. Involvement in a structured 18-month facilitated process has enabled the authors to impart their 55 years of collective forestry and natural resource experiences to tackle these complex policy deliberations.

 Involvement in forest-related climate change policy options is anticipated to result in well-designed extension and technology transfer programs to educate landowners, professionals, and policymakers to develop markets and draw in entrepreneurs.  The authors note that having technical skills (silviculture, soils, physiology, and carbon sequestration) did not prepare them for their ”trial by fire” education in the policy deliberations. They share their observations for other professionals who are preparing to demonstrate that management of existing forests, establishment of additional forests, and management of urban trees represent cost-effective solutions to global change.

Dennis Hazel
North Carolina State University
Box 8008
Raleigh, NC, 27695-8008, USA
Phone: 919 515-5573
Fax: 919 515-6883
E-mail: dennis_hazel@ncsu.edu