Options for carbon sequestration in the Solent Region

Abstract

Carbon sequestration is the removal of carbon from the atmosphere as a result of natural or man-made processes. Not all emissions will be able to be reduced to zero, therefore carbon sequestration will play a vital role in enabling countries and organizations to achieve net zero targets and potentially to become net negative. Carbon off-setting harnesses carbon sequestration by investing in projects which remove carbon from the atmosphere and so form ‘carbon credits’ for the investor. The aim of this study was to identify options for nature-based and non-nature based carbon sequestration in the Solent region.

Nature-based offsetting, which is likely to play the main role in the short term comprises Blue carbon, the sequestration of carbon via marine habitats such as sea grass and salt marsh, and the more familiar Green carbon, which refers to terrestrial habitats such as woodland or grassland.

Research suggests that blue carbon could have significant potential for carbon removal with sequestration rates that may exceed those of Green carbon. However, Solent region specific research on the extent of current blue carbon habitats, their sequestration rates and the potential for restoring further habitat is missing. This could form one theme of the potential future Centre for Green Maritime Innovation.
The Solent region contains a wide variety of green carbon habitats including woodland, grassland, heathland, peatland and hedgerows. Most of these habitats have been depleted by urbanisation or other land use change so that the scope for further land-use change or restoration is potentially limited. Further research is therefore required to understand where green carbon habitats could be restored or created.
Grey carbon or non-nature-based offsetting refers to sequestration via man-made technologies. At present, many grey carbon technologies are unproven at industrial scale but as their capacity comes to exceed available nature- based options, they are likely to be a vital component of long-term carbon removal and storage. The recently announced Solent Cluster1 will enable the University to build on its research capacity in this area but it should be mindful of the reputational risks of engaging with major fossil fuel producers or processors.

Finally, it is recommended that an offsetting plan is developed in case it is required as a last resort in order to achieve the University’s ‘Net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030’ target. This should use accredited providers and could comprise a portfolio of blue and green carbon projects. This plan could align with the principles of the University’s Civic Strategic Plan2, its prioritised area of “Environment, Sustainability, Decarbonisation and Biodiversity” and the proposed evergreen funding mechanism. Accordingly, investing in local, regional and then UK based projects could be prioritised with international projects considered a last resort to ensure that the University invests as locally as possible, to the benefit of local communities and environments with available capacity.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Ben Anderson: orcid.org/0000-0003-2092-4406

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