In carbon accounting, a removal means capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. This can be done naturally, like planting forests, or with the help of technology. Removals are key for offsetting emissions that are tough to eliminate and for reducing overall CO₂ levels.
Here are the key categories and examples of carbon removals:
Biological Removals
These involve the natural sequestration of carbon by ecosystems.
Afforestation and Reforestation Planting new forests or restoring existing ones to absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it in trees and soil.
Agroforestry Integrating trees and shrubs to farmland to capture carbon, boost biodiversity, and improve soil health.
Soil Carbon Sequestration Using farming practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, and organic farming to increase the amount of carbon stored in the soil.
Blue Carbon Protecting and restoring coastal and marine ecosystems like mangroves and seagrasses that can capture large amounts of carbon.
Technological Removals
These involve the use of technology to capture and store CO₂.
Direct Air Capture (DAC) Using machines to pull CO₂ directly from the air and store it underground or use it in products.
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) Growing plants for energy, capturing the CO₂ produced when they are converted to energy, and storing it safely.
Enhanced Weathering Spreading certain minerals on land or in the ocean where they react with CO₂ and lock it away in a stable form.
Hybrid Approaches
Combining biological and technological methods to enhance carbon sequestration.
Biochar Turning biomass into charcoal and adding it to soil. This locks carbon in the soil and can also improve its health and fertility.
Carbon Farming Using a mix of agricultural practices designed to maximise carbon capture on farms, like rotational grazing, silvopasture, and managed forestry.
Examples of Carbon Removal Projects
Forest Restoration Project
Location A degraded forest area in New Zealand.
Activities Planting native tree species to restore the forest ecosystem.
Carbon Sequestration The growing trees absorb carbon from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass and soil over decades.
Soil Carbon Sequestration Initiative
Location
Agricultural lands in Australia.
Activities Using no-till farming, cover crops, and organic amendments to boost soil carbon storage.
Carbon Sequestration Improved soil health and increased carbon content in soils, reducing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
Direct Air Capture Facility
Location A high-tech facility in the US.
Activities Pulling carbon dioxide directly from the air and storing it underground.
Carbon Sequestration This facility removes thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year.
Importance of Carbon Removals
Climate Mitigation
Carbon removals are key in reaching net-zero emissions. They help offset emissions that are difficult to eliminate, playing a crucial role in fighting climate change.
Ecosystem Restoration
Restoring ecosystems through forest carbon removal projects supports biodiversity, can improve water quality, and can enhance soil health. These benefits contribute to healthier and more resilient natural environments.
Sustainable Development
Carbon removals help to promote sustainable land management and drive technological innovation. This supports long-term environmental health and economic growth.
Carbon removals capture and store CO₂ from the atmosphere through biological methods like planting forests and improving soil health, technological interventions like direct air capture, and hybrid approaches like biochar. These processes are essential for reducing emissions, restoring ecosystems, and promoting sustainable development.
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Glossary
Afforestation: The process of planting trees on land that has not been forested for a long time, creating a new forest.
Biological Removals: The natural sequestration of carbon by ecosystems, such as forests, soils, and coastal ecosystems.
Carbon Farming: Agricultural practices aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sequestering carbon in the soil, including techniques like rotational grazing.
Carbon Sequestration: The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, which can be done naturally or through technological means.
CO₂: Carbon dioxide
Reforestation: The process of replanting trees in areas where forests have been cut down or destroyed.
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