How can we decrease greenhouse gases

How to reduce GHG and carbon loss?

Land use change can make significant contribution to reducing national emissions. It has been estimated that agricultural soils could take up an additional 115 megatonnes of carbon, which is equivalent to 22 % of total carbon dioxide emissions from the energy sector.

As peatland and wetland plants grow they accumulate carbon. Assuming all our peatlands are in good condition this could offset about 3% of Scotland's total carbon dioxide emissions from energy production. However, the actual figure may be much less than this as many peatlands are in poor condition due to erosion, drainage, afforestation, over-grazing, pollution and peat cutting.

Following best practice for land management and land use change can help to ensure that soil carbon stocks are not unnecessarily depleted by human activities.