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Estimates of the Carbon Capture Potential in Urban Parks and Vehicle CO<inf>2</inf> Emissions in Cuenca, Ecuador

Abstract:

Nowadays, the adverse effects of global warming are evident due to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, with urban areas being one of the areas that emits large amounts of CO2; however, urban trees act as an important sink for carbon within the city; so in this work, the estimates of the potential of carbon capture in 28 urban parks and vehicular CO2 emissions in Cuenca, in a study area comprising 64.51 ha. The non-destructive method is applied which, from the diameter to the chest height (DAP) and tree height, estimates carbon sequestration. The capture potential is 11,418.88 t and an average capture of 8.81 kg CO2/m2/year. On the other hand, the estimated CO2 emissions from fuel consumption in Cuenca were a total of 828.81 Gg of CO2. In reference to the economic valuation, in the compliance market, the SENDECO2 entity that pays $ 24.81 per ton of CO2 would generate an income of $ 283,302.5 and in the voluntary market an income of $ 229,176.93 with the CDM Gold Standard entity that pay $ 20.07 per ton. It is concluded that the 28 sampled parks can mitigate 1.37% of the total CO2 emissions emitted by the car park, demonstrating the importance of this environmental service and that the sale of carbon generates a relevant benefit, demonstrating the feasibility of carbon markets.