CO2heide

CO2heide is a concept proposed to describe an integrated approach that combines carbon dioxide removal with restoration and management of heathland ecosystems, particularly in temperate and boreal regions where peat-forming habitats are common. The term blends CO2 with heide, from heathland landscapes managed for biodiversity and carbon storage. It is not a standardized scientific category but a shorthand used in some discussions to frame actions that deliver climate mitigation alongside ecosystem services.

Core elements include rewetting drained peatlands and restoring native vegetation such as heaths and mosses to promote peat accumulation and soil carbon storage, along with careful hydrological and fire management. Projects may also incorporate supplementary measures like low-impact grazing, vegetation management, and soil amendments to stabilize carbon pools, while monitoring biodiversity outcomes and carbon fluxes to assess co-benefits and trade-offs.

Mechanisms: peatlands and heathlands can sequester carbon when waterlogged conditions slow decomposition. Restoration aims to maintain or increase soil organic carbon, while maintaining ecological integrity. However, methane emissions can be a consideration in highly saturated systems, and the overall climate impact depends on site conditions, management, and time horizon.

Geographic relevance and status: the concept has been discussed mainly in European contexts and within exploratory or pilot-scale studies. It remains a speculative framework rather than a formally recognized category in climate policy or standardized carbon accounting.