Sequestration of Carbon to Acquire Carbon Credit and Minimization of Potent Greenhouse Gases

The escalating global population, coupled with increased urbanization and industrialization, is placing immense strain on natural resources and exacerbating climate change through greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Primary sources of these emissions include the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and intensive agricultural practices, all of which release significant quantities of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Soil organic carbon (SOC), representing the largest terrestrial carbon reservoir, is crucial in climate change mitigation as it sequesters atmospheric carbon. This study aims to assess the capacity of soil carbon sequestration and carbon credit mechanisms to reduce GHG emissions, enhance soil health, and foster sustainable agriculture. Practices like conservation tillage, crop rotation, cover cropping, direct-seeded rice cultivation, alternate wetting and drying, organic amendments, agroforestry, and biochar application are proven to boost SOC levels, improve soil fertility, and increase water retention. Beyond restoring degraded soils, carbon sequestration also benefits biodiversity and farm productivity. Carbon credits offer a complementary market-based incentive for emission reductions, enabling farmers and industries to offset their GHG outputs. Notably, smallholder farmers can supplement their income by adopting practices eligible for carbon credits and engaging in carbon markets. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including the natural limit of soil carbon saturation, the risk of emission reversal due to land-use changes, difficulties in monitoring, and the potential for carbon credits to be misused for “greenwashing.” Despite these obstacles, combining carbon sequestration with carbon credit systems presents a scalable approach to reducing atmospheric CO₂, promoting agricultural sustainability, and fulfilling international climate obligations like the Paris Agreement, thereby positioning agriculture as a vital contributor to global climate solutions.