The Natural and Working Lands Carbon Inventory
Measuring the carbon stored in California's landscapes
To identify and track California’s pathway to achieving carbon neutrality by mid-century, CARB develops inventories of greenhouse gas emissions originating from human industrial activities such as power generation, transportation, heating and ventilation, and agricultural operations. However, fully assessing California’s path to achieving carbon neutrality requires that CARB also account for changes in the amount of ecosystem carbon stored within California’s lands (i.e. forests, shrublands, grasslands, wetlands, developed lands, croplands, and other lands). The Nature Based Strategies Program within CARB maintains the Natural and Working Lands (NWL) Carbon Inventory so that the State of California can track net losses and gains in ecosystem carbon both statewide and over time. The NWL Carbon Inventory accounts for all organic carbon stored in living and dead biomass, near-surface soils, and wood products harvested from within the State’s legal boundaries. The last statewide Carbon Inventory was published in 2018.
To further determine how well California is on track to meeting its target of achieving carbon neutrality by mid-century, CARB must also assess the specific impact that natural disturbance events (such as wildfire, drought, and pestilence) and land management activities (such as habitat restoration, farming, and timber harvesting) have on ecosystem carbon across California’s landscapes. The ability to link changing carbon stocks to natural events and land management activities will further aid statewide and regional planning efforts regarding the preparation for, and response to, ongoing climate change.
