A new report shows how bamboo can restore degraded lands and forests, store carbon and supply energy to millions of rural communities.
An article on the Go For Wood website summarizes findings of the report: Bamboo: a strategic resource for countries to reduce the effects of climate change, released by the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) on behalf of its 40 member countries.
The world’s fastest growing plant, bamboo is said to have the potential to make a major contribution to reducing carbon emissions. In China alone, the plant is projected to store more than one million tons of carbon by 2050.
In addition, bamboo can be effectively used to rapidly restore degraded lands, provide a sustainable energy source for households and generate income for millions of people.
The report profiles successes in countries across the world to utilize bamboo in climate change mitigation efforts and as a sustainable source of timber.
Despite bamboo’s potential, Dr. Hans Friederich, INBAR Director General, says many decision makers, planners and national sustainable development action plans have not yet taken account of this resource and the benefits it can bring to society.
“Properly applied, bamboo will help many low and middle-income countries achieve their sustainable development goals,” says Friederich.
Friederich and others in the network are encouraging the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to explicitly recognize bamboo as a new strategic resource to be included as an approach to combat climate change, in sustainable development policies, regulations and investment plans.
Read the full story: INBAR releases policy report on bamboo to tackle climate change
Download the report: Bamboo: a strategic resource for countries to reduce the effects of climate change
