JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2536-7072
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JASP
Start Year: 2016
Email: jasp@integrityresjournals.org
A review of the role of carbon sequestration in regulating greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprints
https://doi.org/10.31248/JASP2026.592 | Article Number: 667987FA1 | Vol.11 (4) - October 2026
Received Date: 17 July 2026 | Accepted Date: 29 August 2026 | Published Date: 30 October 2026
Authors: M.M. Getso , Y. I. Kallah , F.A. Akande , K.A. Maradun , A.M. Barde , A. Iliyasu , S.K. Muhammad , Y. Salisu , I.B Buji , M.B. Sharu , F.D. Haruna and N.G. Hayatu*
Keywords: Carbon dioxide, carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emission, methane, nitrous oxide.
As atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂ levels exceed 420 parts per million (ppm), the urgency to mitigate humanity’s carbon (C) footprint- defined as the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities, expressed as CO₂-equivalent, has intensified. With global GHG emissions reaching 36.8 billion tonnes annually, reducing emissions alone is insufficient to meet the Paris target of reducing the temperature by 1.5°C and GHG emissions by 55% as compared to 1990. Carbon sequestration offers a critical strategy to actively remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. This review synthesises the mechanisms, potential, and challenges of C sequestration, highlighting its role in offsetting GHG emissions and C footprints. Natural methods, including reforestation and soil management, could sequester 5-10 gigatons of CO₂ yearly, while technological approaches like C capture and storage and bioenergy with C capture may contribute an additional 5-15 gigatons by 2050. The benefits extend beyond GHG emissions reduction to enhancing soil productivity, ecosystem health, and economic opportunities via C markets. However, scalability, cost barriers, and policy gaps posed significant threats. By integrating natural and technological strategies, C sequestration emerges as a vital tool in achieving net-zero GHG emissions, bridging the gap between current trajectories and sustainable climate goals.
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