Did you know that the forests of parishes and the green areas of cemeteries do quiet but important climate work? In this section, you will also learn about offsetting as a way of compensating emissions as well as the Parish Union’s sustainable investment practices.
Forests and green areas act as carbon sinks – they absorb and store more carbon dioxide than they release. Carbon sequestration occurs when plants use carbon dioxide for growing – all they need is sunlight and water, and because of photosynthesis carbon is stored in the plants and oxygen is released into the atmosphere. A plant or ecosystem becomes a carbon sink when it stores more carbon than it releases over a given period of time.
However, recent studies show that the ability of forests to act as carbon sinks is not guaranteed. Climate change, the aging of forests, and management practices can reduce this ability.
How? Climate change can weaken the ability of forests to function as carbon sinks, because a warming climate increases droughts, storms, and pests which reduce tree growth and increase mortality. As forests age, their growth slows down, which means that they store less carbon. Various management practices, such as clear-cutting, release stored carbon and reduce the forest’s ability to sequester carbon in the long term.
That is why the management and protection of forests and green areas is more important than ever – it strengthens their ability to act as natural carbon storages. It ensures the well-being of forests and helps mitigate climate change.
Carbon dioxide and carbon cycle in nature
The following video from the Finnish Meteorological Institute about carbon dioxide and the carbon cycle illustrates the relationships between the different carbon sinks in nature. Watch the first 1:30 minutes of the video and then answer the following questions.
Management of the Helsinki Parish Union’s Forests
The Parish Union owns about 250 hectares of forest. Nurturing these – strengthening carbon sinks and increasing biodiversity – plays an important role in the overall carbon neutrality roadmap.
The Helsinki Parish Union manages its forests in accordance with the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certificate. This means responsible forest management, where forests are also in recreational use and managed according to the principle of continuous-cover silviculture. Continuous-cover silviculture favours selective felling over regeneration felling and always keeps the forest canopy intact.
In the following video, Environmental Master Sanna Kuula discusses forest management and peatland restoration in the Helsinki parishes. The video is 2:27 minutes long.
The Union’s environmental goals are strongly linked to climate change mitigation and biodiversity:
- Increasing the amount of carbon sinks and monitoring them: Forests’ ability to sequester carbon is improved and monitored on a regular basis.
- Biodiversity: The aim is to maintain and increase the diversity of species in areas.
- Growing seedlings: Forest owners are obliged to replace felled trees with new ones. Planting and growing new seedlings in forests and green areas ensures the continuity of carbon sequestration.
- The value of green areas: The aim is to maintain the importance of green areas also in the event of potential land use changes.
These measures ensure that the forests and green areas owned by the parish serve both environmental and recreational goals at the same time.
Cemeteries as part of nature’s cycles and biodiversity
Cemeteries, meadows, and grassy areas also participate in carbon sequestration. For example, according to calculations, the trees in Helsinki’s cemeteries can store up to 178 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. In addition to trees, most of the cemeteries consist of grassy areas, which could be used to slightly increase carbon sequestration, approximately 25,5 t CO2e per year. It has been estimated that carbon sequestration in cemeteries could cover about two percent of the emissions generated by the Helsinki Parish Union in 2025–2030.
Carbon ends up in the soil from plant roots and dead plant material. Carbon is released back into the atmosphere when organic matter decomposes or when the soil is being disturbed. The release of carbon can be reduced by taking care of plant cover and avoiding unnecessary soil disturbance.
Cemetery areas already feature diverse meadows, which often also store carbon more efficiently than managed lawns. Meadows contain a variety of deep-rooted plants that store carbon in the soil through their roots. It is worth noting that the grass in managed lawns offers very limited habitat and food for insects and other small organisms. Additionally, a lack of diversity in tree species increases the risk of pests and diseases affecting the trees.
How can carbon sequestration in cemeteries be increased?
- Increase plant cover and diversity: Plant trees, bushes, and meadow plants instead of a managed grassy lawn.
- Avoid unnecessary soil disturbance: Digging and turning the soil releases carbon. Favor lighter soil management methods.
- Favor natural processes: Allow part of the area to develop organically, which increases carbon storage and biodiversity.
Reducing emissions and increasing carbon sinks go hand in hand
The impact is greater when we reduce emissions while also increasing carbon sequestering areas. Carbon sinks not only balance the remaining emissions – they also build long-term carbon storages for the future. Every tree planted and every protected meadow takes us closer to a more carbon-neutral world.