Carbon

At Wageningen University & Research, we combine science and practice to develop solutions for carbon sequestration and carbon management across agriculture, forestry, soil and land use. We build models, indicators and measurement methods for soil carbon sequestration, above-ground carbon storage in forests and the role of land use in the carbon cycle. We also critically assess the practical potential of carbon sequestration in grasslands and the large carbon gap between theoretical promise and actual realization. In addition, we investigate methodologies around carbon claims and market mechanisms – for instance in the horticulture sector – and we emphasise the need for robust, harmonised carbon accounting methods.

Our approach supports businesses, governments and other partners in designing strategies that embed carbon sequestration and reduction in their policies and practices. This includes developing tools for monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) and linking carbon management with broader themes such as biodiversity, soil health and land-use transitions. In this way we contribute to climate-adaptive, sustainable and resilient systems — grounded in reliable data, innovative methods and cross-sector collaboration.