BANGALORE: Coffee estates in India have been spreading their aroma for decades. Now, the planters want the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) to consider their coffee estates as carbon dioxide sinks that could sustain them during years of distress.

A carbon dioxide sink is a carbon reservoir, the opposite of a carbon source. The main carbon sinks are oceans and plants that use photosynthesis to remove carbon from the atmosphere. The Kyoto Protocol allows the use of carbon sinks as a form of carbon offset. Carbon emissions trading involves the trading of permits to emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Industrialised nations, especially those in the European Union, have a cap on carbon dioxide emissions. The recognition of coffee estates as carbon sinks would mean carbon-belching industries can pay the estate owners for maintaining a balance in atmosphere through carbon chits .

Bose Mandanna, former vice-chairman of the Coffee Board, told The Hindu that coffee growers have traditionally protected the foliage in their plantations that are natural carbon sinks. "We will request planters associations such as the United Planters Association of South India (UPASI) to bring pressure on international agencies to secure the carbon sinks tag for coffee estates," he said. But growers may face some obstacles on technical grounds.

While the Karnataka Government recognises the coffee plant as a tree, the Kyoto Protocol does not recognise any foliage under six feet as a tree. Coffee plants are not allowed to grow beyond six feet.

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