About: carbon sinks
Carbon removals must not become an expensive greenwashing tool
Supporters of carbon removal technologies often confuse carbon capture and storage (CCS) with negative emissions. They also risk greenwashing industry claims of climate neutrality, and encourage massive investments in false climate 'solutions' that risk becoming stranded assets, writes Wijnand Stoefs.
Seeing the woods: EU lays out plan to capture more carbon from forests
The European Commission on Wednesday (14 July) unveiled plans to build up carbon sinks, like forests and wetlands, as part of a broader package of climate legislation aimed at achieving a 55% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
French rally champion commits to planting one tree for every lap win
Three-time French rally champion Yoann Bonato announced in late March that he would commit to planting a tree each time he sets the fastest time 'scratch' during a 'special', of which there are many during a race. As he will be competing in 17 races in the 2021 season, there is a chance for many trees to be planted. EURACTIV France reports.
Reactions: Deal on EU’s 2030 climate target is a big step, but won’t close the gap to 2050
EU heads of states have agreed on a 55% reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, but the inclusion of carbon sinks and the choice of 1990 as the baseline year have led environmentalists to criticise the deal for lacking ambition.
‘Net zero’ climate targets? Read the fine print
The worldwide effort to prevent Earth from becoming an unlivable hothouse is in the grips of "net zero" fever.
Forestry’s climate impact ‘invisible’ under UN rules, experts say
Forests are the planet’s biggest carbon “sink” – absorbing more CO2 from the atmosphere than they emit – but their contribution to cooling the earth’s climate are currently not fully accounted for under UN rules, experts point out.
Burning trees as climate mitigation: A resort to the Court
There is no debate that burning wood for energy emits more greenhouse gases per unit of energy than burning fossil fuels. Yet the EU's renewable energy directive continues to uphold that burning forest wood is "carbon neutral," write Jean-Pascal van Ypersele and Mary S. Booth.
France to manage its ‘carbon sink’ for 2050 goal
Optimising the wood-energy sector is key for France to attain its objective of becoming carbon neutral in 2050. However, 60% of forests in the country are left unmanaged nowadays. EURACTIV.fr reports
Wood from German forests as climate-neutral fuel?
Germany is the EU's richest country in forest and wood. According to European Commision plans, German forests are meant to be used much more as energy sources in the future. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Balancing emissions and removals from Europe’s forests
EU policymakers face a big challenge to maximise the economic potential of Europe’s forestry sector while balancing its carbon emissions and removals. But it's one they will have to rise to if the bloc is to meet its climate and energy targets.