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Assessing Carbon Sequestration Rates from Conservation Management: Price and Potential for Multi-Habitat Nature-Based Carbon Sequestration in Dorset, UK.
Jones, E.-A.; Paige, L.; Smith, A.; Worth, A.; Betts, L.; Stafford, R. Potential for Carbon Credits from Conservation Management: Price and Potential for Multi-Habitat Nature-Based Carbon Sequestration in Dorset, UK. Sustainability2024, 16, 1268.
Jones, E.-A.; Paige, L.; Smith, A.; Worth, A.; Betts, L.; Stafford, R. Potential for Carbon Credits from Conservation Management: Price and Potential for Multi-Habitat Nature-Based Carbon Sequestration in Dorset, UK. Sustainability 2024, 16, 1268.
Jones, E.-A.; Paige, L.; Smith, A.; Worth, A.; Betts, L.; Stafford, R. Potential for Carbon Credits from Conservation Management: Price and Potential for Multi-Habitat Nature-Based Carbon Sequestration in Dorset, UK. Sustainability2024, 16, 1268.
Jones, E.-A.; Paige, L.; Smith, A.; Worth, A.; Betts, L.; Stafford, R. Potential for Carbon Credits from Conservation Management: Price and Potential for Multi-Habitat Nature-Based Carbon Sequestration in Dorset, UK. Sustainability 2024, 16, 1268.
Abstract
Carbon offsetting is currently a major tool in managing carbon emissions and the drive to Net-Zero. This study aims to identify the offsetting potential of existing conservation schemes, and whether carbon offsetting credits could potentially finance the continued management of the conservation activities. The results from Dorset, in the UK indicate that many existing conservation schemes in woodland, heathland and grasslands can not only enhance biodiversity but also capture significant amounts of carbon. We show that the cost per additional tonne of carbon sequestered as a result of conservation activities varies considerably between different conservation projects. On average, the cost of this offsetting is £80 per tonne CO2e sequestered and ranging between £120 and £0 depending on the project and whether existing biodiversity grants would be available. However, this figure was based on adapting and refining existing conservation projects, and did not involve expensive factors such as purchase of land, which make the prices potentially unrealistic. While the costs identified are higher than many offsetting schemes at present, it could present a useful option for those wishing to localise their offsetting, and could be combined with biodiversity credits or other credit schemes to make the higher costs more attractive.
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
