Carbon Storage
Preserving Habitats That Absorb Carbon
When preserved, carbon is stored in these ecosystems. When destroyed, carbon is emitted back into the atmosphere, becoming new sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
Global Goal Score
Likely Future State
Country Rankings
*The estimate of a goal’s likely near-term future status is a function of four dimensions: Status, Trend, Pressure, and Resilience.
What Does This Score Mean?
The reference point for Carbon Storage compares the current extent and condition of CO2 storing coastal habitats (mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes) relative to their condition in the early 1980’s. A score of 100 would indicate that these habitats are all still intact or have been restored to the same condition as they were in the early 1980’s. A score of 0 would indicate that these carbon storing coastal habitats are completely absent, while a low score indicates that these habitats have declined significantly since 1980 and that more protection and restoration must occur in order for them to store the maximum amount of carbon.
Current Score
The current score of 75 indicates that although, in many places, these habitats remain healthy and intact, a significant number have declined significantly since 1980. More protection and restoration must occur if they are to sequester and store the maximum amount of carbon possible.
Why Is Carbon Storage Important?
The ocean plays a major role in slowing the pace of global climate change by absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it as carbon. Carbon is stored in every component of the oceans. The index focuses on three ecosystems — mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses — for their ability to store and sequester carbon in their plants and soils.
When destroyed or degraded, these ecosystems not only stop sequestering carbon but can start to release it, becoming new sources of carbon that can emit carbon for centuries and contribute to climate change. Though they form less than 2% of the ocean’s surface, coastal ecosystems contribute more to long-term carbon storage and sequestration in sediments than any other ocean ecosystem.
Why Are Coastal Habitats Important to Carbon Storage?
How Is It Measured?
Each goal is evaluated on the basis of four dimensions
Present Status
Present Status is a goal's current value (based on the most recent available data) compared to a reference point.
Trend
Trend is the average percent change in the present status for the most recent 5 years of data.
Pressures
Pressures are the sum of the ecological and social pressures that negatively affect scores for a goal.
Resilience
Resilience is the sum of the ecological factors and social initiatives (policies, laws, etc) that can positively affect scores for a goal by reducing or eliminating pressures.
Pressures
Pressures are human-caused stressors that influence both ecological and social systems, negatively affecting the ability of a goal to deliver its benefits to people.
Status
Status refers to the current value of a goal relative to its goal-specific reference point. The reference point is the best condition for a goal that can reasonably be achieved; it is a target to aim for when taking actions to improve ocean health.
Resilience
Resilience refers to the social, institutional, and ecological factors that positively affect the ability of a goal to deliver its benefits to people.
