The value of natural capital in climate protection

The value of natural capital in climate protection

into the concept of natural capital

Natural capital is a term that refers to the resources and functions provided by natural ecosystems that are essential to human life and economies. These include, for example, clean water, healthy soils, a stable climate and diverse species. While these "services" are largely free and often taken for granted, they have significant economic and social value. This realization is now finding its way into political and economic strategies to conserve natural resources and curb climate change.

Natural capital and its role in climate protection

Carbon sequestration by ecosystems

A significant proportion of natural capital plays a central role in climate protection, namely through nature's ability to bind carbon and store it. Forests, moors, grasslands and oceans in particular are important carbon sinks. They absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and store this carbon in their biomass and in the soil.

These sinks make a valuable contribution to climate protection because they help reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Preserving and restoring these carbon stores is therefore an important strategy in the fight against climate change. There is the possibility that forests and other ecosystems can make a significant contribution to mitigating climate change by serving as CO2 sinks.

Adaptation to climate change

Natural capital also plays an important role in adapting to climate change. For example, natural ecosystems such as mangrove forests and coral reefs provide protection against storm surges and coastal erosion. Dry forests and grassland ecosystems store water and protect against droughts. Mountain ecosystems support diverse species and stabilize slopes to prevent avalanches and landslides.

Preservation of natural capital through sustainable management

Sustainable land use

One of the greatest threats to natural capital is intensive land use, particularly for agriculture and urban development. The conversion of natural areas into agricultural and residential areas results in the loss of valuable ecosystems and their ability to provide ecosystem services.

Therefore, more sustainable land use is crucial for preserving natural capital and protecting the climate. These include, for example, preventing deforestation, restoring degraded land, protecting wetlands and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Sustainable economic policy

Sustainable economic policy can also help preserve natural capital and limit climate change. Business and politics are increasingly recognizing that a sustainable economy can only be successful in a healthy environment. There are therefore various approaches to incorporating natural capital into economic decision-making processes.

On the one hand, there is the concept of "Natural Capital Accounting" (NCA), in which the value of natural capital is taken into account in national economic balance sheets. In this way, the "free" services that nature provides are made visible and their value recognized.

Summary

The value of natural capital for climate protection is enormous. Its ability to store carbon and adapt to the effects of climate change makes it an essential part of our efforts to limit global warming. Preserving and restoring natural capital through sustainable land use and economic policies is therefore crucial. It's time we start seeing natural capital for what it really is: a valuable asset that we must protect to secure our future.