Carbon sequestration through sustainable forest and grassland management for climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation in mining areas

Introduction

CARBON2MINE is a 72-month project that proposes an innovative solution to contribute to climate change mitigation, focusing on one of the most economically depressed regions in Europe: Asturian mining areas, directly affected by the decarbonisation policies of the European Union.

Climate Change Challenge

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our times, seriously threatening the health of the planet, but also with relevant social and economic consequences. In this context, where urgent action is needed for a sustainable transition towards a climate-neutral economy by 2050, CARBON2MINE will develop and implement new land and vegetation management models designed to optimise the carbon sink effect in mining areas.

Project Actions

The project will contribute to a cleaner energy production and circular economy through the following actions:

1. Restoration of Mining Areas

   • Restore mining areas through silvicultural models that maximise carbon fixation in order to improve:
     1. Carbon storage and sequestration capacity
     2. Biodiversity
     3. The supply of ecosystem services in this territory

2. Implementation of Circular Economy

   • Implement the circular economy in the management of the territory through two types of actions:
     1. Introduce the circular economy in the management of forests and grasslands
     2. Incorporate combustion ashes (residues) from nearby bioenergy production processes as fertilisers to forest plantations

3. Decarbonization of Electricity Generation

   • Decarbonize electricity generation, using forest biomass and studying new silvicultural models aimed at producing primary and secondary forest biomass.

4. Economic Reactivation

   • Promote a new model of economic reactivation, based on the promotion of business activities framed within the forestry field with a remarkable capacity to:
     • Generate employment
     • Attract population
     • Stimulate the local economy, particularly in rural areas

Replication of the Project Model

Replication of the project’s model in other mining areas (not included during the project implementation period but committed after case study project results) is envisaged to maximise the project impact, ensuring long-term carbon storage.