Carbon Sequestration Program Research Articles

Impacts of Carbon Sequestration Projects on Household Income, and Consumption Expenditure of Smallholder Farmers in Meru County, Kenya

Mitigation of climate change has led to the initiation of carbon sequestration projects in the developing countries in compliance with the Kyoto protocol of 1997. The protocol goal was for industrialized countries to reduce their greenhouse emission by funding carbon projects in developing countries. The study focused on voluntary carbon projects involving smallholder farmer practicing agroforestry. The impacts of these projects on farmers’ household income and consumption expenditure were evaluated. A survey and quasi-experimental research design targeting 207 smallholder farmers was conducted in three wards within Igembe South Sub- County namely Athiru Gaiti, Akachiu and Kiegoi/Antubochiu. Data was collected from secondary sources and primary sources. The data was analyzed using propensity matching techniques. The results showed participation in the carbon sequestration program has a significant impact on the income (t= -3.8081 w/df 205, p=0.0002) at a significant level 0.05. Consumption expenditure of the participant was also significant (t= -4.7034 w/df 205, p= 0.0000). Exotic tree species were more preferred to indigenous trees species. Grevillea robusta (A. Cunn. Ex R. Br) although naturalized, was the most preferred exotic tree species (33.9%) while (17%) of the respondents planted Cussonia holstii (Harms ex Engl.) - an indigenous tree species. Income status of majority (86%, f=77/90) farmers participating in the carbon program increased. Expenditure status of majority (68%, f=61/90) of participating farmers in the project also increased. Savings, inflation, alternative uses led to decrease in consumption expenditure. The study recommends the carbon sequestration project be expanded in more areas, conduction of awareness campaigns to reach more farmers, increase of the carbon credit amount paid to the farmer, the project proponent and partners to continue assisting farmers with tree seedlings for free. The study also recommends use of multipurpose exotic tree species since they have a fast growth rate

Balancing greenwashing risks and forest carbon sequestration benefits: A simulation model linking formal and voluntary carbon markets

Voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) offer energy-intensive firms a cost-effective means to reduce carbon mitigation expenses through promoting forest conservation. However, concerns about greenwashing may deter firms from using these options, which are susceptible to illegal forest harvesting. This study examines whether firms purchasing carbon credits from forestry-based communities can help strengthen forest conservation, mitigate project risks, improve environmental outcomes, and reduce abatement costs. We examine a large Indian steel firm, with an annual production capacity of 4 million tons, issuing green bonds to fund afforestation in Himalayan forest communities. Using industry-level average emissions, abatement costs, and output data for Indian firms, we develop a dynamic optimization model to determine optimal abatement strategies, considering the risk of future forest carbon loss from VCMs. The model, utilizing examples and data from existing carbon sequestration programs in the Himalayan states, offers insights into promoting high-integrity VCMs through formal emission market linkage. Findings suggest that firms' involvement in compliance emissions markets provides an alternative route to accessing affordable carbon credits when abatement costs are high. Additionally, engaging in the VCM reduces expenses related to emission reduction targets. However, with elevated greenwashing risks, firms reduce their use of green bonds in VCMs. Participation in the VCM positively reinforces forest conservation and enhances environmental services when greenwashing risks are absent, further lowering carbon mitigation costs. To enhance VCM integrity, further research is needed on how community conservation norms influence illegal harvesting.

How to reduce the carbon footprint of the agricultural sector? Factors influencing farmers’ decision to participate in carbon sequestration programs

Mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon in agricultural soils through humus formation is a crucial component of sustainable agriculture. Humus programs that are designed to incentivize farmers to build more humus are still recent innovations, so current knowledge about farmers' motivation to participate is limited. This study examines the adoption of non-governmental humus programs to promote carbon sequestration by analyzing farmers' willingness to participate in humus programs and influential factors. We specifically investigate behavioral factors underlying farmers' adoption of humus programs using the Theory of Planned Behavior. To this end, we collected data using an online survey with 190 German farmers and applied partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results show that (i) perceived economic benefits, (ii) the actions of fellow farmers, and (iii) farmers' sense of responsibility with regard to climate change have a statistically significant influence on farmers' intention to participate in a humus program. In contrast, the perceived ecological benefits, political pressure, the possibility of establishing humus-building measures, and prior knowledge of humus programs have no statistically significant influence. Our findings suggest that farmers’ decision to participate in humus programs is strongly influenced by the financial benefits, but the actions and thoughts of other farmers, as well as their own moral claims regarding climate change, also play a crucial role. We found that farmers lack knowledge about the registration and general functioning of humus programs, which can currently be one of the biggest barriers to participation in such initiatives.

Farmers’ Willingness to Participate in a Carbon Sequestration Program – A Discrete Choice Experiment

Farmers can counteract global warming by drawing carbon dioxide from the air into agricultural soils by building up humus. Humus programs were developed to motivate farmers for even more humus formation (= carbon sequestration) through an additional financial incentive. These programs are still at an early stage of development, which is why the number of participating farmers and research work is still low. This study is the first to analyze the willingness of German farmers to participate in hypothetical humus programs. The results of a discrete choice experiment show that a (higher) threshold for the payout of the premium, regional (rather than field-specific) reference values, and the risk of repayment clearly discourage farmers from participating. Program providers must more than double the premium (set at around 240 € per hectare and 0.1% humus increase) to maintain farmers’ willingness to participate despite a payout threshold. Regional reference values and an additional premium/repayment system would lead to an increase in the premium of around 20 € per hectare in order to keep the willingness to participate at the same level. The motivation to build up humus, the desire to maximize subsidies, and a higher livestock density have a positive influence on farmers’ decision to participate. Farm size and risk attitude have an impact on farmers’ preferences for program design. The study is relevant for policymakers and non-governmental organizations concerned with carbon management, as our findings highlight pathways for efficient, targeted designs of humus programs and carbon sequestration policies.

Archetypes of remnant West African forest patches, their main characteristics and geographical distribution

Remnant West African forest patches provide crucial ecosystem functions and services while contributing to sustaining the livelihoods of vast numbers of people. The vast majority lie outside of protected areas, although relatively few are managed as sacred forests, which limits their access and use. This lack of protection, together with a growing demand for arable land and forest resources, have accentuated their fragmentation, degradation, and deforestation. There is therefore an urgent need to generate knowledge on their social-ecological characteristics and change pressures to support their conservation. This study investigates what are i) the main biophysical and social-ecological characteristics of remnant forest patches, and ii) the potential change pressures and drivers. Within this scope, we apply archetype analysis to discern processes affecting remnant forest patches. Biophysical and socio-ecological indicators were selected from a published dataset via expert consultation, and nine archetypes were developed by applying a cluster analysis. Evaluating the results in relation to ecoregions and landscape features using high resolution imagery, we identify common underlying social-ecological change pressures and characteristics. The most common archetype (2) is characterized by being close to protected areas and having a low average annual precipitation and cluster along the northern fringe of the study area. The second most common archetype (5) is characterized by lying in highly disturbed landscapes, having undergone biomass losses, and widely distributed throughout central and western Nigeria. Patches of archetype 8 found predominantly in mangrove and swamp forests, exhibit positive above-ground biomass changes and greening trends; we propose that these vegetation changes could benefit conservation measures and carbon sequestration programs. In contrast, archetype 10 patches show both forest and biomass losses and gains and are often encompass fragmented forests in urban/arable landscapes. Identifying such common patterns of anthropogenic and ecological change provides a means of prioritizing regionalized strategies for their conservation and sustainable use.

United States Family Forest Owners’ Awareness of and Participation in Carbon Sequestration Programs: Initial Findings from the USDA Forest Service National Woodland Owner Survey

Abstract Family forest owners (FFOs) hold a plurality of forestland in the United States, and programs and markets exist that compensate landowners for sequestering and storing increased carbon through extended rotations, improved forest management, and increased forest cover. We used USDA Forest Service National Woodland Owner Survey (NWOS) data from 2018 to estimate the number of ownerships and their associated acreage that are enrolled, that are familiar but not enrolled, and that are unfamiliar with these programs, as well as differences in attributes among these groups. As of 2018, less than 0.1% (SE < 0.1%) of FFOs are enrolled in carbon sequestration programs, and collectively they hold an estimated 400,000 ha (SE = 100,000). FFOs who are enrolled have larger holdings, are more likely to participate in other programs, and are more concerned about climate change, among other characteristics. Most FFO holdings are too small to be viable in traditional carbon programs, although new and evolving programs might enable smaller landholdings to be feasible to enroll. Knowing the characteristics of ownerships that are enrolled or aware of programs will allow for more informed design and implementation; future monitoring will be important to identify trends as these programs become more widespread.

Spatial and Temporal Variations of Predicting Fuel Load in Temperate Forests of Northeastern Mexico

The prediction of fuel load areas and species associated with these events reduces the response time to fight forest fires. The objective of this study was to estimate the annual fuel load from 2009–2013, predict the annual fuel load in the rest of the ecosystem, identify species that contribute most to this load and compare the percentage of area by risk category in the temperate forests of Tamaulipas. Fuel load was estimated with inventory data using three models. Fuel load was predicted with elevation, total annual precipitation, mean annual temperature, and enhanced vegetation index from satellite scenes using partial least squares regression. The highest concentration of fuel load was associated with the oak, oak-pine, pine forest and mountain mesophyll forest ecosystems. The contribution of genera to fuel load was different. Quercus contributed the most variation among clusters, and the contribution among Quercus species was similar. The results highlight the importance of focusing fuel management programs on this type of ecosystem, emphasizing actions in particular Quercus, and the results can also serve as a basis for future research, such as carbon sequestration and forest management programs.

Optimal Eco-Compensation for Forest-Based Carbon Sequestration Programs: A Case Study of Larch Carbon Sink Plantations in Gansu, Northwest China

This study investigated the potential financial benefits that private forest famers can derive when participating in a larch carbon sink plantation project in the northwestern Chinese province of Gansu. A decision matrix was developed to help forest farmers justify participation in forest carbon sink projects relative to the traditional land-use goal of timber production under various carbon trading prices, site conditions, and contract terms. The results showed that when the carbon trading price is at the theoretically optimal carbon price (CNY 110/tCO2e, equivalent to USD 17/tCO2e), Chinese business entities are willing to pay for forest carbon credits under the current global carbon emissions level, and forest farmers who participate in a 25-year forest carbon sink plantation project on high-productivity sites would generate the greatest financial benefit compared with the net income from pure timber production forests. Thus, the government does not need to provide a carbon sink subsidy for participating tree farmers. However, at the current average carbon trading price (CNY 19.8/tCO2e or USD 3/tCO2e) in the domestic market, a minimum additional subsidy of CNY 735/ha (USD 113/ha) is required upfront to motivate forest farmers to convert timber production forests into carbon sink forests. The results of this study can help policymakers and forest managers formulate optimal eco-compensation strategies for enrollment in forest-based carbon sequestration programs.

Can Agricultural Management Induced Changes in Soil Organic Carbon Be Detected Using Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy?

A major limitation to building credible soil carbon sequestration programs is the cost of measuring soil carbon change. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is considered a viable low-cost alternative to traditional laboratory analysis of soil organic carbon (SOC). While numerous studies have shown that DRS can produce accurate and precise estimates of SOC across landscapes, whether DRS can detect subtle management induced changes in SOC at a given site has not been resolved. Here, we leverage archived soil samples from seven long-term research trials in the U.S. to test this question using mid infrared (MIR) spectroscopy coupled with the USDA-NRCS Kellogg Soil Survey Laboratory MIR spectral library. Overall, MIR-based estimates of SOC%, with samples scanned on a secondary instrument, were excellent with the root mean square error ranging from 0.10 to 0.33% across the seven sites. In all but two instances, the same statistically significant (p < 0.10) management effect was found using both the lab-based SOC% and MIR estimated SOC% data. Despite some additional uncertainty, primarily in the form of bias, these results suggest that large existing MIR spectral libraries can be operationalized in other laboratories for successful carbon monitoring.

What Is Regenerative Agriculture? A Review of Scholar and Practitioner Definitions Based on Processes and Outcomes

Regenerative agriculture is an alternative means of producing food that, its advocates claim, may have lower – or even net positive – environmental and/or social impacts. Regenerative agriculture has recently received significant attention from producers, retailers, researchers, and consumers, as well as politicians and the mainstream media. Despite widespread interest in regenerative agriculture, no legal or regulatory definition of the term ‘regenerative agriculture’ exists nor has a widely accepted definition emerged in common usage. This paper answers the research question: How have different scholars and practitioners defined regenerative agriculture? We reviewed 229 journal articles and 25 practitioner websites to characterize the term ‘regenerative agriculture’. Our review revealed that there were many definitions and descriptions of regenerative agriculture in usage. These were variously based on processes (e.g. use of cover crops, the integration of livestock, and reducing or eliminating tillage), outcomes (e.g. to improve soil health, to sequester carbon, and to increase biodiversity), or combinations of the two. Process-based definitions may imply that advocates or users of such definitions are open-minded about the possible outcomes of these processes. Similarly, outcome-based definitions may imply that users of such definitions are open-minded about the processes that may lead to those outcomes. We discuss the implications of these different forms of definition for policy, including for certification programs and for payments for carbon sequestration programs. More generally, wide variance in the definitions used may lead to uncertainty about what different actors mean when they talk about regenerative agriculture. We suggest that it may be helpful for individual users of the term ‘regenerative agriculture’ to define it comprehensively for their own purpose and context.

Water budget fluxes in catchments under grassland and Eucalyptus plantations of different ages

Planted forests are increasing in area worldwide in recent decades and play an important role in carbon sequestration programs. However, the effects of plantations on water resources are largely unknown. Here, we investigate the effects of Eucalyptus sp. plantations on water budget fluxes in the southern Brazilian grasslands biome. We evaluated green (canopy interception and evapotranspiration) and blue (discharge) water flows in three watersheds: two watersheds predominantly covered with eucalyptus, either in the first years after planting or at the end of the rotation, and one watershed with livestock-grazing grassland. We used field measurements of rainfall, streamflow, and throughfall and estimated canopy interception and evapotranspiration by water balance. Water flows in the monitored watersheds with eucalyptus plantations were influenced by forest developmental stage. Annual canopy interception and transpiration were always higher in the watersheds with eucalyptus than in the one with grassland, except for the transpiration in the first year after plantation in the watershed with young eucalyptus. An increase in evapotranspiration (green water flow) and the consequent decrease in streamflow (blue water flow) should be considered in local water resource management. Studies of catchment hydrology and forest management for improved water use efficiency and streamflow regulation are needed, particularly in understudied regions.

Obstacles to participation in carbon sequestration for nonindustrial private forest landowners in the southern United States: A diffusion of innovations perspective

Forest carbon sequestration, resulting in increased carbon storage in forests, is an effective tool for climate change mitigation. Nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowner participation is crucial for increasing carbon stocks in the southern United States forests. Carbon sequestration is a relatively new practice, so NIPF landowners are expected to have varied adoption responses depending on their different internal (socioeconomic, financial, and forest structure factors) and external (environmental, governmental policy, and market factors) environments. This study identified major obstacles for NIPF participation in carbon sequestration and grouped landowners into adoption categories with respect to carbon sequestration using the diffusion of innovations model. Principal component analysis was used to identify five major obstacles to participation in carbon sequestration programs: revenue implications, forest characteristics, owner preferences, normative reasons, and understanding. NIPF landowners were grouped into three adoption categories: adopters (18%), majority (60%) and laggards (22%). The adopters, compared to the other categories, were richer, more educated, relatively younger, and owned larger landholdings. These results provide a valuable insight about the adoption behavior of NIPF landowners with respect to climate change mitigation programs in the southern United States. Program planners and outreach professionals should consider these NIPF landowner adoption categories and the role of peer landowners in promoting new programs and policies for developing effective mitigation strategies.

Acculturation of rural households participating in a clean development mechanism forest carbon sequestration program: A survey of Yi ethnic areas in Liangshan, China

We present results from a survey of rural households of the Yi people that participated in the clean development mechanism forest carbon sequestration project in Liangshan, Sichuan, China. We analyze rural households’ acculturation strategies and the corresponding influencing factors of local traditional culture and modern commercial culture with forestation and a reforestation carbon sequestration project based on two dimensions and four strategies, viz., integration, assimilation, separation, and marginalization. Results indicate that rural households that took part in the forest carbon sequestration project had a higher identification with local traditional culture than with modern commercial culture. Integration and separation were two primary adaptation strategies toward traditional culture and modern commercial culture. Gender, age, education level, and land area involved in the project were significant determinants for rural households’ cultural adaptation strategies.

Fracture Conductivity Modelling in Experimental Shale Rock Interactions with Aqueous CO2

In large scale subsurface injection of carbondioxide (CO2) as obtainable in carbon sequestration programs and in environmentally friendly hydraulic fracturing processes (using supercritical CO2), long term rock-fluid interaction can affect reservoir and seal rocks properties which are essential in monitoring the progress of these operations. The mineralogical components of sedimentary rocks are geochemically active particularly under enormous earth stresses, which generate high pressure and temperature conditions in the subsurface. While geomechanical properties such as rock stiffness, Poisson's ratio and fracture geometry largely govern fluid flow characteristics in deep micro-fractured formations. Simulation results suggested that influx-induced mineral dissolution/precipitation reactions within clay-based sedimentary rocks can continuously close micro-fracture networks, though injection pressure and effective-stress transformation first rapidly expand the fractures. This experimental modelling research investigated the impact of in-situ geochemical precipitation on conductivity of fractures under geomechanical stress conditions. Bulk rock geomechanical hardness was determined using Vickers’ micro-indentation. Differential pressure drop data across fractured composite core were also measured with respect to time over a five day period. This was used in estimating the conductivity of the artificially fractured cores with 25μm-bore microtubings embedded. Three experimental runs per sample types were carried out in order to check the repeatability of observed changes. The results showed that most significant diagenetic changes in shale rocks after flooding with CO2-brine, reflect in the effluent fluid with predominantly calcium based minerals dissolving and precipitating under experimental conditions. Micro-indentation results suggested slight reduction in the hardness of the shale rocks and this reduction appears dependent on diagenetic quartz content. Estimated fracture conductivity indicated that reactive transport of dissolved minerals can occlude micro-fracture flow paths, thereby improving caprock seal integrity with respect to leakage risk under CO2 sequestration conditions.

Geochemical Markers in Shale-CO2 Experiment at Core Scale

Most sedimentary rock formations (tight or highly porous) have geochemical characteristics that can lead to significant reactive ion exchange processes in aqueous media in the presence of carbon dioxide. The injection of carbon dioxide (CO2) in large scale as obtainable in carbon sequestration programs and in environmentally friendly hydraulic fracturing processes (using supercritical CO2), long term rock-fluid interaction can affect reservoir and seal rocks properties. The mineralogical components of sedimentary rocks are geochemically active particularly under enormous earth stresses, which generate high pressure and temperature conditions in the subsurface. It has been postulated that the effect of mineralization can lead to flow impedance in the presence of favourable geochemical and thermodynamic conditions. Simulation results suggested that influx-induced mineral dissolution/precipitation reactions within clay-based sedimentary rocks can continuously close micro-fracture networks, though injection pressure rapidly expand the fractures. This experimental modelling research investigated the impact of in-situ geochemical precipitation on conductivity of fractures. Geochemical analysis were performed on four different samples of shale rocks, effluent fluids and recovered precipitates both before and after CO2-brine flooding of crushed shale rocks at moderately high temperature and pressure conditions. Three experimental runs per sample types were carried out in order to check the repeatability of observed changes. The results showed that most significant diagenetic changes in shale rocks after flooding with CO2-brine, reflect in the effluent fluid with predominantly calcium based minerals dissolving and precipitating under experimental conditions. Major and trace elements in the effluent fluid indicated that multiple geochemical reactions are occurring with almost all of the constituent minerals participating. The geochemical composition of precipitates recovered after the experiments showed diagenetic carbonates and opal (quartz) as the main constituents. The bulk rock showed little changes in composition except for sharper and more refined peaks on XRD analysis, suggesting that a significant portion of the amorphous content of the rocks have been removed via dissolution by the slightly acid CO2-brine fluid that was injected. It can be inferred that convective reactive transport of dissolved minerals are involved in nanoscale precipitation-dissolution processes in shale under carbon sequestration conditions.

Payments for Carbon Sequestration to Alleviate Development Pressure in a Rapidly Urbanizing Region

The purpose of this study was to determine individuals' willingness to enroll in voluntary payments for carbon sequestration programs through the use of a discrete choice experiment delivered to forest owners living in the rapidly urbanizing region surrounding Charlotte, North Carolina. We examined forest owners' willingness to enroll in payments for carbon sequestration policies under different levels of financial incentives (annual revenue), different contract lengths, and different program administrators (e.g., private companies versus a state or federal agency). We also examined the influence forest owners' sense of place had on their willingness to enroll in hypothetical programs. Our results showed a high level of ambivalence toward participating in payments for carbon sequestration programs. However, both financial incentives and contract lengths significantly influenced forest owners' intent to enroll. Neither program administration nor forest owners' sense of place influenced intent to enroll. Although our analyses indicated that payments from carbon sequestration programs are not currently competitive with the monetary returns expected from timber harvest or property sales, certain forest owners might see payments for carbon sequestration programs as a viable option for offsetting increasing tax costs as development encroaches and property values rise.

Particulate matter emissions from biochar-amended soils as a potential tradeoff to the negative emission potential.

Novel carbon sequestration strategies such as large-scale land application of biochar may provide sustainable pathways to increase the terrestrial storage of carbon. Biochar has a long residence time in the soil and hence comprehensive studies are urgently needed to quantify the environmental impacts of large-scale biochar application. In particular, black carbon emissions from soils amended with biochar may counteract the negative emission potential due to the impacts on air quality, climate, and biogeochemical cycles. We investigated, using wind tunnel experiments, the particulate matter emission potential of a sand and two agriculturally important soils amended with different concentrations of biochar, in comparison to control soils. Our results indicate that biochar application considerably increases particulate emissions possibly by two mechanisms–the accelerated emission of fine biochar particles and the generation and emission of fine biochar particles resulting from abrasion of large biochar particles by sand grains. Our study highlights the importance of considering the background soil properties (e.g., texture) and geomorphological processes (e.g., aeolian transport) for biochar-based carbon sequestration programs.

The Road Through Paris: Climate Change, Carbon, and the Political Dynamics of Convergence

This article tracks the key events that set the stage for the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris, particularly as they relate to politics of convergence. One side of this coming together is an intersection of issues, where new terrestrial and aquatic carbon sequestration programs have blurred the margins of climate change mitigation and resource grabbing. These programs, enclosing forests, farmlands, and oceans, are likewise fused together in what can be described as an emerging ‘carbon complex’ that is part of the wider blue/green economy. On the reverse side, the clear intersection of issues as witnessed by radical, and historically sectoral, agrarian/social justice movements is causing them to intertwine in resistance. The realm of climate change has proven to be an exceptional space of struggle and countermovement building. Political interactions between movements have become increasingly sophisticated—requiring frameworks that address environmental, agrarian, and oceanic issues at once, as the issues have become ever more complex. Agrarian/social justice movements maintain that their agendas for food sovereignty and climate justice hinge upon exposing fault lines in the system and advocate overall system change. COP21 and its parallel side events were together a landmark moment, but part of a much more involved process, ‘the road through Paris’, along which movements had carved out transnational and local spaces of convergence against the backdrop of a global carbon complex.

Estimating the economic value of soil organic carbon for grains cropping systems in Western Australia

Soil organic carbon (SOC) has the potential to benefit soil function and fertility, and in agricultural production systems, it is considered integral to sustainable farming. We analyse the value of SOC in cropping systems of the south-west of Western Australia in terms of agronomic benefits from increasing productivity (through increased plant-available water-holding capacity) and reducing fertiliser use (due to increased mineralisation of nitrogen). We also present the potential value of SOC in terms of sequestration benefit if landholders were able to participate in a carbon-sequestration program. We estimate the marginal value of SOC (the value of a soil with more SOC, by 1 t C/ha, than a standard soil) to be AU$7.1–8.7/t C.ha.year, depending on rainfall zone and crop type. Approximately 75% of this value is the estimated sequestration value, 20% is the nitrogen-replacement value, and 5% is the estimated productivity improvement value. Over 50 years, this equates $130–160/t C.ha depending on the rainfall zone. These values are sensitive to variations in fertiliser and carbon prices. Our results imply this it is unlikely that the SOC benefits will drive practice change in the south-west of Western Australia.

Carbon sequestration and private rangelands: Insights from Utah landowners and implications for policy development

The management of private rangelands is important to the overall potential of terrestrial carbon sequestration in the U.S. Previous research has focused on the adoption of innovative range management and conservation practices, but little is known about rangeland owner decision making with respect to carbon sequestration. This study examined Utah rangeland owners’ current management practices in relation to soil carbon management and explored factors influencing their likelihood of participating in a carbon sequestration program. Data were collected from a statewide survey of Utah rangeland owners to assess the relationships between their demographics, landownership characteristics, awareness of and attitudes toward carbon sequestration, beliefs about climate change, and reported likelihood to participate in a relevant program. Thirty-seven percent of respondents were considered potential participants. Higher likelihood of participation was associated with dependence on livestock production, considering it a moderately or very important management objective, having an interest in learning more about it, and valuing its potential economic and climate benefits. Although education and outreach are generally considered important policy tools for promoting conservation, special efforts are needed in the case of carbon sequestration to develop innovative strategies to communicate its concept and related processes with rangeland owners without politicizing the issue. One approach is to tailor education and outreach messages to focus on the ecological benefits of carbon sequestration that are valued by many rangeland owners. Instead of developing new programs, carbon sequestration can also be incorporated into existing conservation programs as a management objective at both federal and state levels. Research is needed to further examine the perceived differences between carbon sequestration and other conventional conservation practices in order to improve the carbon sequestration potential of existing conservation programs and attract wider participation among rangeland owners.