Hidden carbon treasure: Earth’s soils store 45% more CO₂ than we thought
New research reveals that the world’s topsoils hold far more carbon dioxide than previously thought. Scientists now estimate these layers store 45% more carbon than earlier calculations suggested. This discovery highlights soil as a crucial but underused tool in fighting climate change.
The findings come as global land degradation worsens, with 40% of Earth’s land already damaged. Without action, experts warn that 90% could degrade by 2050, releasing vast amounts of stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
A recent study shows soils contain around 2,822 gigatons of carbon in the top metre alone—nearly double past estimates of 1,500 gigatons. If just 1% of Europe’s soil carbon escaped, it would match the yearly emissions of 1 billion cars. In the US, degraded soils already release CO₂ equal to 75 million vehicles annually.
At current degradation rates, soils could emit 4.81 billion metric tons of CO₂ each year. Yet healthy soils offer a solution: they could absorb 27% of the emissions cuts needed to limit global warming to 2°C. That equates to 3.38 gigatons of CO₂ per year.
Despite this potential, only 30% of countries include soil restoration in their climate plans under the Paris Agreement. The EU’s A Soil Deal for Europe project aims to change that, with €1 billion in funding by 2028. The initiative seeks to create a unified soil monitoring system across member states.
The economic case for soil health is also strong. Investing $1 in soil regeneration can yield up to $30 in benefits, with global ecosystem services valued at over $11 trillion annually. To guide these efforts, the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) has launched a Soil Security Framework, setting standards for sustainable land management.
The updated carbon estimates underscore soil’s role as a major carbon sink. Restoring degraded land could significantly cut emissions while boosting food security and biodiversity. With current policies falling short, experts urge greater investment in soil health as a cost-effective climate strategy.
