Carbon sequestration refers to the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and preventing it from being released back into the environment. It is an important strategy in mitigating climate change by reducing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Key Matters and Considerations in ESG

There are various natural and artificial methods of carbon sequestration:

– Natural Carbon Sequestration:

– Forests: Trees and plants absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, storing carbon in their biomass and releasing oxygen.
– Soil: Carbon is stored in the form of organic matter in soil through decomposition of plants and other organic materials.
– Oceans: The ocean acts as a carbon sink, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it in marine plants and sediments.

– Artificial Carbon Sequestration:

– Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): This technology involves capturing CO2 emissions from large point sources, such as power plants or industrial facilities, and storing it underground in geological formations, such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs or deep saline aquifers.
– Direct Air Capture (DAC): DAC technology directly captures CO2 from the ambient air using specialized equipment. The captured CO2 can be stored or utilized in various ways.

Carbon sequestration has several potential benefits:

– Climate Change Mitigation: By removing CO2 from the atmosphere, carbon sequestration helps reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases, which contributes to mitigating climate change.
– Environmental Conservation: Natural carbon sequestration methods, such as reforestation and restoration of degraded ecosystems, can enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and provide habitat for wildlife.
– Sustainable Agriculture: Practices that enhance soil carbon sequestration, such as cover cropping and agroforestry, can improve soil health, fertility, and resilience to climate change.
However, there are also challenges and considerations associated with carbon sequestration:

– Scale and Duration: Achieving significant carbon sequestration at a global scale requires large-scale implementation and long-term monitoring to ensure the permanence of stored carbon.
– Technological Limitations: Carbon capture and storage technologies are still being developed and face technical and economic challenges, such as high costs and energy requirements.
– Environmental and Social Impacts: Some carbon sequestration approaches may have potential environmental and social impacts, such as land-use conflicts, water requirements, and potential leakage of stored CO2.

Efforts are underway to advance carbon sequestration technologies, improve understanding of natural carbon sinks, and explore innovative approaches to enhance carbon storage. Carbon sequestration plays a vital role in the portfolio of strategies for addressing climate change, alongside emissions reductions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources.