Climate change, land use and land surveyors

Abstract

Research reveals that the land sector is a major emitter of greenhouse gases. But the land sector has also potential to reduce emissions. Different from other emission sectors like energy and transport, the land sector (in particular the rural area including forests) has the potential to also remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere through sequestration and storage. This requires land use, land use change and forestry to be managed with respect to climate change goals. Carbon storage has the potential to generate carbon credits, which according to the Kyoto Protocol are exchangeable in a market environment. But is the market secure enough? This paper aims primary at presenting the subject matter as a synthesis of extant literature. Secondary, the paper shows interfaces with the land surveyor’s profession namely land management and land administration.