Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to include saltmarshes in the UK's greenhouse gas inventory.

Defra is actively exploring the role of marine nature-based solutions, such as seagrass and saltmarsh restoration, to deliver both carbon sequestration and broader benefits.

Defra is working in partnership with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Devolved Governments – through the UK Blue Carbon Evidence Partnership – to address evidence gaps that currently prevent the inclusion of saltmarsh in the Greenhouse Gas Inventory. Defra Group have funded five flux towers to provide important carbon emissions data for saltmarsh habitats. Alongside investment to deliver a roadmap setting out the steps needed for potential inclusion of saltmarsh in the Greenhouse Gas Inventory. Other marine habitats will be kept in consideration as the evidence base around them develops.

Reflecting this ongoing work, saltmarsh was included within Defra’s Net Zero pathway for Carbon Budgets 4–6 as an early-stage policy.