New report: Europe’s ecosystems could store ≈ 13 billion tonnes of carbon; matching global annual CO₂ emissions

Massive untapped carbon storage potential in Europe’s ecosystems revealed
A new BirdLife Europe report shines light on the extraordinary carbon storage potential of Europe’s ecosystems [1]. The EU could meet its climate targets by restoring and conserving these ecosystems.
Key findings:
- 13.22 billion tonnes of carbon storage potential: Fully restored natural ecosystems across the EU could store ≈ 13 billion tonnes of carbon, equivalent to 48.5 billion tonnes of CO₂ – more than the global annual CO₂ emissions from energy in 2021 [2].
- Annual sequestration potential: Restored ecosystems could absorb 378 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, exceeding the EU’s 2030 target of 310 million tonnes. This is comparable to taking 252 million petrol cars off the road annually [3]. Repurposing lands used for biofuels to natural restoration could reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 66.3 million tonnes annually, equal to the annual emissions of countries like Romania [4].
- Forests as the largest carbon stores: Forests, which cover 38% of EU land, holdnthe greatest potential. Broad-leaved, coniferous, and mixed forests are capable of storing up to 9.24 billion tonnes of carbon, roughly equivalent to the CO₂ emissions of the United States over two years. [5]
- Peatlands and wetlands as critical sinks: Peat bogs and inland wetlands, though smaller in area, store significant amounts of carbon due to their high density of organic material.
Despite these figures, much of the EU’s land remains degraded. Intensive agriculture, deforestation, and bioenergy crop cultivation are major contributors. The report emphasises how prioritising ecosystem restoration over land-intensive practices like biofuel production and forest logging for bioenergy could significantly boost carbon storage and fight climate change. This shift could significantly accelerate progress toward the EU’s climate goals.
Several policies can unlock the EU’s environmental potential. The Nature Restoration Law [6], which came into force in August 2024, is the first to set binding targets for habitat restoration and ecosystem recovery. The EU Forest Strategy for 2030 [7] aims to protect forests and plant three billion trees by 2030. Additionally, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 [8] seeks to restore degraded ecosystems and expand protected areas across the region.
Riccardo Gambini, EU Bioenergy and Forest Policy Officer at BirdLife Europe, says: “It doesn’t get any clearer than this. Nature is the solution to the climate crisis. The devastating floods and wildfires that ravage Europe and the world are just a glimpse of our new normal if we don’t act now. If the EU actually wants to protect the future of its citizens and planet, it must immediately invest in nature protection and restoration. Implementing legislation like the Nature Restoration Law is imperative to reverse the damage to our carbon sinks, curb the climate crisis, and build a sustainable future.”
ENDS.
Notes to editors:
[1] The report “Carbon Sequestration on Land through Nature-Based Solutions and Land-Use Trade-Offs” was prepared for BirdLife Europe & Central Asia by Horst Fehrenbach and Silvana Bürck from ifeu – Institut für Energie- und Umweltforschung Heidelberg. You can read the full report here.
[2] Global annual CO₂ emissions: In 2021, global energy-related CO₂ emissions reached a record high of 36.3 billion tonnes
[3] Average CO₂ emissions per petrol car per year
[4] Annual CO₂ emissions of Romania: In 2022, Romania’s CO₂ emissions were approximately 66.5 million tonnes
[5] Annual CO₂ emissions of the United States: In 2021, the United States emitted approximately 5.1 billion tonnes of CO₂.
[6] The EU Nature Restoration Law
[7] The EU Forest Strategy for 2030
[8] The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
For more information, please contact:
Riccardo Gambini
EU Bioenergy and Forest Policy Officer, BirdLife Europe
Erica Gentili
Communications Officer, BirdLife Europe
Cover image by Lars Soerink
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