THE UK’S BLUE CARBON INVENTORY - ASSESSMENT OF MARINE CARBON STORAGE AND SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL IN UK SEAS

THE UNITED KINGDOM’S BLUE CARBON INVENTORY: ASSESSMENT OF MARINE CARBON STORAGE AND SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL IN UK SEAS (INCLUDING WITHIN MARINE PROTECTED AREAS) 1 MARK THOMAS The project demonstrates the importance of blue carbon commitments to both protect at least 30% and to restore in the marine environment, and the value and role that at least 30% of nature by 2030. [...] when forming a view on the management of activities at sea and the role and management of existing MPAs and Other This report provides the best available estimate of the size Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in of carbon stores within the top 10 cm of seabed sediments protecting, managing, and restoring natural carbon processes. [...] THE UNITED KINGDOM’S BLUE CARBON INVENTORY: ASSESSMENT OF MARINE CARBON STORAGE AND SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL IN UK SEAS (INCLUDING WITHIN MARINE PROTECTED AREAS) 3 PAUL NAYLOR l Blue carbon habitats within MPAs are estimated to hold Maerl habitat with 105 Mt of organic carbon and 534 Mt of inorganic carbon, great scallop respectively accounting for 43.1% of the total organic carbon and 45% of the t. [...] Including blue carbon in environmental impact assessments will The report highlights the importance of the UK and Isle incentivise industries to avoid and minimise their impacts to of Man seabed as a substantial carbon store and the blue carbon habitats and wildlife. [...] Increasing the quality would support the delivery of existing policy commitments and expanding the focus of management measures for such as achieving Good Environmental Status under the UK existing MPAs is needed to increase the level of protection Marine Strategy and meeting the Climate Change Objective afforded to seabed carbon, and further designations of the Fisheries Act 2020.