Protect and restore Scotland’s land and seas
Some of Scotland’s land is absorbing carbon, while other parts release it significantly. The net figure is very deceptive, as land use is actually the largest gross source of emissions – greater even than the transport sector. Therefore, reducing these emissions is vital, and will also help us adapt to climate impacts, protect nature, restore biodiversity, and create new rural jobs.
Scotland’s marine environments play a crucial role in storing and capturing carbon. These areas currently store 9,636 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent and sequester 28.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually. This stored carbon is roughly equal to all the carbon held in Scotland’s land-based ecosystems. Scotland’s seabed habitats alone could capture up to 9.5 million tonnes of organic carbon each year, which is more than four times the amount sequestered by Scottish forests (2.07 million tonnes). When considering emissions from activities at sea, the overall “marine carbon” balance becomes incredibly important for addressing climate change.
Scotland’s seas are not in good environmental condition and we are failing to meet its restoration goals. Reports from 2024 revealed that 152 million tonnes of organic carbon are stored in just the top 10cm of seabed sediments, primarily mud, in Scotland’s seas. Addressing marine carbon issues can simultaneously improve the environmental health of the seas, creating a win‑win situation.
At present, neither blue carbon nor some aspects of the wider marine emissions are included in the UN’s greenhouse inventories. This means that they are not measured or reported in Scotland’s annual emissions report or addressed in the Climate Change Plan. However, blue carbon, whether officially “counted” or not, significantly affects the climate. Not addressing it now delays action that will eventually be recognised and makes achieving the Paris Agreement targets even harder.
Taking action on blue carbon now would allow Scotland to become a global leader in this area, offering advice and influencing international discussions. Such actions would also contribute to marine nature restoration, helping Scotland achieve its wider environmental aspirations, and support a Just Transition for marine industries.