Briefing

Carbon stocks and sequestration in terrestrial and marine ecosystems: a lever for nature restoration?

Briefing Published 27 Apr 2022 Last modified 12 Aug 2025

13 min read

Photo: © Maksim Shutov on Unsplash

This page was archived on 12 Aug 2025 with reason: Other (Moved to https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/carbon-stocks-and-sequestration-in-terrestrial-and-marine-ecosystems-a-lever-for-nature-restoration)

Climate change mitigation and nature restoration are two sides of the same coin when it comes to achieving two main objectives of the European Green Deal; climate neutrality and increasing the EU’s natural capital. Well-functioning habitats can take up and store large amounts of carbon, reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and greenhouse gas emissions from land use practices. To use nature’s full potential, we need to know (1) the carbon storage and sequestration potential of European habitats in their present condition and how much carbon can be used to meet EU emissions policy targets; and (2) the measures available to increase carbon storage in habitats, and the synergies and trade-offs between these measures and ecosystem function. This briefing addresses these questions.

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Disclaimer

The country assessments are the sole responsibility of the EEA member and cooperating countries supported by the EEA through guidance, translation and editing.

For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/carbon-stocks-and-sequestration-rates/carbon-stocks-and-sequestration-in or scan the QR code.

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