The business case for the retention and restoration of Alberta’s wetlands and grasslands as critical biological carbon stores and sinks is clear. In addition to providing a myriad of cost-effective ecosystem services, including water quality improvements, flood, and drought mitigation, socio-economic and recreational benefits, they sequester and store a substantial amount of carbon. Biological carbon stores represent an important natural capital asset and can play an important role in helping Alberta and Canada meet their national and international greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. The significant benefits provided by the presence of these ecosystems on the landscape is recognized directly and indirectly in a number of provincial and federal priorities and the retention of existing healthy ecosystems, and restoration of historically lost or impaired ecosystems, aligns with the objectives of green infrastructure investment opportunities. This report builds on the outcomes of the companion “Business Case” report to describe potential pathways to implement wetland and grassland retention and restoration activities, with the central intention of maintaining carbon stores, increasing biological carbon sequestration, and adapting to climate change. The full report can be accessed here.
