Regenerative land use binds carbon

The existing waste and residue streams cannot alone satisfy the demand for alternatives to fossil raw materials. The question is how to increase the sustainable feedstock base beyond waste streams in our attempts to fight climate change? And the answer? Find new ways to utilise the land areas that are already in use – making them climate positive.

Regenerative agriculture means improving the condition of the soil and increasing its ability to sequestrate carbon. Carbon farming and the restoration and utilisation of exhausted land are examples of regenerative land use.

UPM has actively participated in international projects to research the concepts of low land use change risk and the unreleased potential of regenerative land use. Additional feedstock production and increased yields together with healthy soils are in the core of the regenerative land use concept.

A climate-positive effect is achieved when more carbon is stored than released into the atmosphere throughout the whole life cycle of a solution. When aiming for climate positivity, in addition to carbon sequestration it is equally important to reduce and prevent emissions during the life cycle.