Natural Sinks
Georgia's natural landscapes, which include 22 million acres of working forests and expansive coastal wetlands, are crucial for sequestering up to 41 million metric tons of CO2 annually, offsetting about 26% of the state's total emissions. To enhance carbon sequestration capacities in the state alongside emission reduction efforts, businesses across the state can take action to restore and protect temperate-climate forests, promote afforestation and silvopasture initiatives, and ensure the preservation of coastal wetlands.
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Afforestation means creating forests in places that are no longer forested, such as planting trees on degraded agricultural or pasture lands and in urban areas. Silvopasture is the practice of adding trees to pastureland. Forests sequester carbon in trees, soil and other vegetation.
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Georgia has about 100 miles of coast and coastal wetlands, most owned by federal, state and conservation agencies. We’re also home to the largest amount of tidal wetlands of any state in the U.S. Coastal wetlands, including seagrasses, tidal salt marshes, and freshwater marshes, are effective carbon sinks. These ecosystems sequester carbon in plants and in sediments.
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Restoring and protecting temperate-climate forests has many benefits including carbon sequestration from trees, soil and other vegetation. Georgia has 22 million acres of working forests that offset about 26% of the state’s CO2 emissions.
Georgia Grown Forest Carbon Initiative
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Drawdown Georgia Business Compact Hosts Expert Workshop on Georgia-Grown Forest Carbon Removals to Educate and Empower Compact Members
The Compact’s Forest Carbon Working Group brings together key marketplace and educational leaders to address maximizing carbon removal, new economic opportunities for landowners, and protecting biodiversity in the state
