Carbon 101
Soil carbon is critical for land health and sustainability
Soil carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in the soil, primarily in the form of organic matter. Carbon stored in soil has been estimated to total 2,500 gigatons – roughly three times as much as is in the atmosphere and quadruple the amount in every living thing on Earth combined.
Soil can store more than three times the amount of carbon found in the atmosphere. The top 30 cm of soil worldwide contains an estimated 1,500-2,000 gigatons (Gt) of carbon, while the atmosphere holds about 800 Gt.
Agriculture plays a critical role
Carbon dioxide is the most prominent greenhouse gas (GHG), lasting for hundreds of years in the atmosphere. Soil-based carbon sequestration is a sustainable method for removing CO2 from the air and storing it securely.1 EarthOptics gives land owners, carbon markets, and CPG companies trusted accuracy in measuring, reporting, and verifying the amount of carbon stored in the soil.
Growers and ranchers utilizing EarthOptics’ services can access premiums for their crops and additional income per acre by:
- enabling their business to supply climate-smart commodities and participate in carbon credit programs
- getting paid to supply low carbon feedstocks for biofuels and to help companies reduce their supply-chain GHG emissions
- providing consumers the option to purchase climate-smart products that were verified to be low carbon
1 https://climate.mit.edu/explainers/soil-based-carbon-sequestration
Serving the Entire Food, Agriculture, and Carbon Value Chain
Agricultural carbon capture is central to healthy soil, thriving ecosystems, and a growing carbon market.
- Improved Soil Health
Increased soil carbon content enhances soil structure, fertility, and moisture retention. This improves plant growth and can increase agricultural productivity. - Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
Soils rich in carbon typically support greater biodiversity, both in terms of plant species and soil organisms like microbes, earthworms, and fungi. This biodiversity contributes to ecosystem services like nutrient cycling and pollination. - Reduced Soil Erosion and Degradation
Soils with higher organic matter content are more resistant to erosion, which reduces soil degradation and contributes to sustainable land management. - Water Retention and Quality
Organic matter in the soil helps retain moisture, reducing the need for irrigation and improving resilience to drought. Additionally, healthier soils can filter water more effectively, contributing to better water quality. - Agricultural Sustainability
Practices that enhance soil carbon sequestration, such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, and agroforestry, support sustainable agricultural systems. These practices can lead to reduced dependency on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, thereby reducing the environmental impact of farming. - Carbon Markets and Economic Incentives
Carbon sequestration in soil can be part of carbon trading markets, providing economic incentives for landowners and farmers to adopt sustainable practices. This can drive broader adoption of practices that sequester carbon and benefit the environment. - Climate Change Mitigation
By capturing and storing carbon in the soil, carbon sequestration helps reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, a major contributor to global warming and climate change.
Overview of GHG Protocol scopes and emissions across the value chain
