Abstract: This paper reviewed methods applied by 38 Annex I parties based on their submission of the forest management reference level (FMRL) and technical assessment reports, including in-depth analysis on three key factors influencing FMRL: area of forest management, parameters and harvest rate. Most Annex I parties applied country-specific method or European common method, and a few used historical level or its extrapolation. Methods and parameters applied mostly came from and/or were consistent with national greenhouse gas inventories and national forest inventories. Age-class structure and projected harvest rate are key factors influencing FMRL. In the determination of FMRL, most Annex I parties took a strategy that could result in a lower FMRL based on forest characteristics and the projection of macro-economy, aiming to use credits from forest management as much as possible.

Key words: Annex I parties, forest management, reference level, methods