HoliSoils participates in the 21st Workshop on Greenhouse Gas Inventories in Asia (WGIA21)
The 21st Workshop on Greenhouse Gas Inventories in Asia (WGIA21) convened 132 participants from 15 Asian countries, along with representatives from international organisations, to strengthen the transparency and accuracy of greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories across the region. Held annually since 2003, with the exception of 2020, this workshop fosters collaboration among Asian nations to address urgent climate challenges. This year’s event, organised under the support of Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, took place from 9 to 12 July 2024 in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
The workshop featured comprehensive discussions on the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) under the Paris Agreement, including practical training on the ETF GHG Inventory Reporting Tool. Participants also explored the challenges associated with Land Use, Land Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) reporting during the transition to the ETF framework, enhancing their capacity for improved reporting and mutual learning.
A highlight of WGIA21 was the contribution of the HoliSoils project, represented by Dr. Shoji Hashimoto from Japan’s Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI). Dr. Hashimoto presented on the “Challenges and Strategies for Nationwide Soil Organic Carbon Monitoring and Modelling.” He emphasised the critical role of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the global carbon cycle, highlighting its potential for climate change mitigation.
Key takeaways from Dr. Hashimoto’s presentation included:
- SOC is dynamic and challenging to monitor, requiring labour-intensive methods due to its slow and spatially variable nature.
- Forest soils, encompassing litter, deadwood, and organic matter, store more carbon than biomass and the atmosphere combined.
- SOC monitoring not only aids climate change mitigation but also evaluates soil fertility and health, offering secondary benefits.
- International collaboration, technical exchanges, and the development of practical tools are vital for advancing SOC assessment and management.
The participation of the HoliSoils project underlined the importance of integrating innovative research and technical expertise in regional and global efforts to combat climate change. WGIA21 reinforced the network of Asian countries working towards enhanced transparency and more robust climate action frameworks.
