Municipalities can contribute to the strengthening of carbon sinks

A carbon sink is created when the carbon uptake of plants, especially trees and forests is greater than the emissions of carbon from plants, soil, land use and land use change. Sinks help in mitigate climate change. Municipalities that strive to reach carbon neutrality need to strengthen carbon sinks, but this requires active engagement. Key challenges are related to land use and land use change. A first step is to make an inventory of the sinks that can be used in informing landowners and guiding municipal activities. The spatial resolution of national inventories of sinks should be developed to provide municipalities with useful information as detailed measurements cannot be carried out everywhere. Better information on sinks and factors affecting them would encourage joint work across municipalities and cooperation between municipalities, landowners, and other stakeholders.