Relying on Natural Carbon Sinks Won't Cut CO2 Emissions

• The role of natural carbon sinks is often overlooked in climate policies.
• Governments could take credit for the work done by natural systems while continuing to burn fossil fuels.

Countries relying too much on natural carbon sinks like forests, oceans, and soils will not offset fossil fuel emissions, scientists warn through a newly released report.

These natural carbon sinks can absorb half of human emissions annually, and interestingly, they are part of government policies and plans to limit global warming to below 2°C.

Scientists who developed net zero say that governments could misuse this approach, making it seem like they are closer to achieving their climate and net zero goals than they actually are.

The governments might take advantage of carbon absorbed by natural systems, even if they are emitting a significant amount of CO2 from burning fossil fuels, scientists noted.

According to the report, the scientists highlight the need for 'geological net zero,' meaning emissions should be removed through human-made technologies or processes, rather than relying entirely on natural carbon sinks to do the work. They also urge governments and policymakers to define net zero goals more clearly at upcoming conferences, including COP29.

Scientists say some countries "cheat" by taking credit for natural processes and continue to use fossil fuels. They also said wildfires are not accounted for in climate targets, which release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, leading to misrepresentation of progress.

Meanwhile, the stability of natural carbon sinks is at stake. In 2023, due to heatwaves and other pressures, ecosystems failed to absorb carbon, becoming completely dysfunctional.

Read more: Land and Ocean Sinks Weaken, Absorbed No CO2 in 2023

The report finally calls on governments to make necessary changes in industries to lower their carbon footprint.

Prof Myles Allen from the University of Oxford's department of physics, said: "We have to protect passive carbon sinks. We have to protect our forests and oceans because we need them to provide that carbon sink service in order for net zero emissions to actually do what we promise people it will do, which is to halt global warming. But we can’t pretend that those passive sinks are somehow compensating for ongoing use of fossil fuels."

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Source: The Guardian