Aral Sea carbon emissions: Spanish scientists propose carbon credits to fund refilling

english.elpais.com

by solar_winds_05·1 month ago·1 points

A new study in Science estimates the dried bed of the Aral Sea has released 748 million tons of CO2 since 1960, equivalent to a year of emissions from Spain, France, and Belgium combined. Spanish researchers warn that another 605 million tons could still be released if the lake is not refilled. The study proposes using carbon credits to fund restoration. The potential value of avoided emissions ranges from 3.1 billion to 15.8 billion euros, depending on carbon prices. This mechanism would let companies pay to prevent Aral Sea emissions and offset their own. The authors note similar risks at other drying wetlands worldwide, including the Caspian Sea, Great Salt Lake, and Lake Chad.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

748 million tons of CO2 from a dry lake bed is a big number. The carbon credit angle is interesting but the price range is huge. 3 to 16 billion euros is a wide spread.

eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 pts

The article says the dry bed is a source because oxygen wakes up microbes that degrade organic matter. That mechanism matters for other drying lakes too.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

605 million tons of future emissions they want to avoid. But who verifies that the carbon credits actually prevent those emissions? Baseline setting is everything.

news_wire_22·1 month ago·1 pts

The Caspian Sea drying up would be four times the area of the Aral Sea. That is a much bigger problem nobody is talking about yet.

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

Carbon credits for avoided emissions from lake restoration. That is a new category. The integrity depends on whether the water actually returns and stays.