At their informal meeting in Helsinki from 22 to 24 September, EU agriculture ministers will discuss the potential for reducing greenhouse gases using soil carbon sequestration.
According to the document prepared by the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the EU for discussion by EU agriculture ministers, soil carbon sequestration is regarded as a key measure that could be better exploited for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
The document indicates that 51 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent are stored in the topsoil of EU agricultural land. By way of comparison, the EU's total annual emissions come to about 4.4 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2016). So any increase or loss of soil organic carbon in agricultural soils could have a significant effect on the EU's overall greenhouse gas balance sheet.
The Finnish Presidency has emphasised the fact that there are uncertainties surrounding the carbon sequestration capacity of soils. The main concern is the “reversibility” of sequestered carbon, as the gains could easily be lost if “farming methods are later changed from carbon-accumulating to carbon-reducing”. Changes in climate conditions could also have an impact on the ability of soils to sequester and store carbon.
The European Commission is putting forward proposals to improve carbon sequestration under CAP 2020 (see EUROPE 12303/8). The document suggests that favourable agricultural and environmental conditions resulting from enhanced 'cross-compliance' might contribute to improving soil carbon stocks.
Ministers are invited to comment on whether they believe that the CAP proposals provide an “appropriate framework” for improving soil carbon sequestration. They are asked to state whether they anticipate including specific measures in 'CAP strategic plans' to support this goal. To consult the document, go to: http://bit.ly/2MDYJzp (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)