February 16, 2011

First Issue of Greenhouse-Gas-Focused Journal Features Institute Staff

Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, February 16, 2011

CONTACT: Erin McKenzie
(919) 613-3652
erin.mckenzie@duke.edu

DURHAM, N.C. – A paper by researchers at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions is featured in the inaugural issue of the journal Greenhouse Gas Measurement & Management, out this month.

The article, “An Output-based Approach for Crediting Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in Agriculture: Explanation and Policy Implications,” was authored by Brian Murray and Justin Baker. It assesses the benefits and challenges associated with both absolute-level and emission-intensity-based greenhouse gas crediting systems.

“Recent climate policy proposals globally, and more particularly, in the United States, have placed a significant emphasis on greenhouse gas reductions in uncapped sectors such as agriculture and forestry,” said Justin Baker, co-author and post-doctoral research associate with the Institute. “However, there is concern that such reductions could lead to decreased agricultural production at a time when the demand for food and fiber continues to soar. In this paper we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a crediting approach that incentivizes both emissions reductions and productivity improvements.” 

The 10-page paper is one of six research articles featured in the journal’s first issue. Created to address the need for literature focused on how best to manage greenhouse gas emissions, it will be published by Earthscan quarterly. Earthscan also produces a handful of other journals that include Climate Policy.

Access Greenhouse Gas Measurement & Management online.

###