New WCPA Report: Protecting 30% of Land and Oceans Can Cut 700 Billion Tonnes of CO2
A new report by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) outlines how to integrate climate change mitigation into Protected and Conserved Areas (PCAs) management and planning. The report, 'Enhancing climate change mitigation in protected areas', identifies coastal marine and terrestrial ecosystems most promising for carbon sequestration and protecting carbon reservoirs. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which often publishes such reports, aims to support climate change mitigation in protected areas worldwide.
PCAs play a significant role in combating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They protect ecosystems' ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and prevent stored carbon release. The report provides methodologies to quantify carbon removal and storage in PCAs and overlaps between biodiversity hotspots and important climate change mitigation areas. By protecting 30% of land in strategic locations, 500 billion tonnes of carbon could be locked in, and protecting 30% of oceans could deliver 20% of the carbon emission reduction needed for the Paris Agreement target.
The publication offers tools for planning restoration projects and identifies resources for funding PCAs that enhance climate change mitigation. It also provides evidence and tools for incorporating climate change mitigation into existing PCAs and identifying promising ecosystems for new PCAs. This integration can facilitate the inclusion of nature-based climate solutions into Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement.
The WCPA report underscores the crucial role of PCAs in mitigating climate change. By protecting and managing these areas effectively, we can enhance carbon sequestration, protect carbon reservoirs, and drive sustainable development. The report's tools and methodologies can guide policymakers and practitioners in integrating climate change mitigation into PCA management, ultimately helping to meet the Paris Agreement targets.
